The Greater Columbia Children's Choirs (GCCC)Celebrating music since 1987

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Chamber Choir (Info & Rehearsal Schedule)

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Auditions

Auditions for Chorus, Choir, and Chamber Choir (No Audition necessary for Apprentice Chorus) are held at First Presbyterian Church, Palmer Building, 1420 Lady St. in August and January.
Enter side door from parking lot. No appointment is necessary.

Auditions are free, private and non-threatening.  Students will be asked to sing a familiar song of their choice, without accompaniment, and to echo short melodic patterns.  Vocal range will be tested.  All GCCC students are urged, but not required, to take some kind of instrumental lessons or participate in an instrumental ensemble at school.

Ensembles

Apprentice Chorus

The Apprentice Chorus (grades 1 - 2) is composed of children who are not required to audition.  Mature K5 children are accepted by interview only. Process goals include singing technique, ear training, rhythmic skills, movement, and playing instruments.

Chorus

The Chorus (grades 3 - 5) is composed of children who have completed an audition.  Emphasis is placed on developing skills in vocal technique and part singing, acquiring good taste in repertoire, practice solfege and having fun in the process.  The Chorus usually sings 2 performances per semester including the Governor's Carolighting service in late November on the state capitol grounds. 

 

Choir

The Choir (grades 6 - 8) is composed of children who have completed an audition.  Students continue to develop the skill emphasis begun in the Chorus, but perform more widely, emphasizing a broader range of classical and folk repertoire.  The Choir performs  5 - 6 times per year and participates in concert tours on occasion. 

 

Chamber Choir    

The Chamber Choir (grades 9 - 12) is composed of high school students who have been selected based upon an audition.  The Chamber Choir sings a wide repertoire and continues to develop their skills even further.  In addition to its own concert calendar of 5-6 performances, the Chamber Choir often takes advantage of opportunities to participate in choral clinics and festivals at the University of South Carolina.

GCCC Policies

The GCCC, its staff, Board of Directors, chaperones and First Presbyterian Church are in no way responsible in the unlikely event of accident and/or injury to children participating in GCCC functions or travel en route to and from same.

-- Attendance -- Discipline -- Inclement Weather -- Parental Involvement -- Performance Outfits -- Tuition --

All children must attend all rehearsals and performances except in case of illness or death in the family.  Concert dates will be given, whenever possible, at the beginning of the year; however, during the course of the year performance opportunities often arise which are in the best interest of the group to accept.  Permission  will be obtained from the parents before these engagements are accepted.  Once concert dates are accepted, attendance is required.  The Director cannot rehearse one group and perform with another and maintain standards of excellence.  Commitment to participate in all concerts and rehearsals is required of all singers.

Children who have missed a rehearsal for any reason before a concert will be required to make up a rehearsal at a time arranged by the Director.  Children who have missed two rehearsals or have missed the make-up will be tested individually before they will be permitted to sing the concert. 

Children who miss a concert for reasons other than sickness, death in the family or other important family matters (discussed with the Director in advance) will be dismissed from the Choir.  In cases of emergency, notify Dr. Wyatt (803-776-0544) if your child must miss a concert for any reason.  The commitment of attendance upon joining the GCCC is for an entire school year (August through May).

Participation in the GCCC is by choice of the child.  No child should be forced to join the group.  Our goal is to keep rehearsals both personally and musically satisfying, but there is hard work involved.  If a child misbehaves once, he/she will be warned and parental assistance will be requested.  If the misbehavior happens again, the procedure will be repeated.  If a child misbehaves a third time, he/she will be dismissed from the GCCC.    

If public schools in Richland and/or Lexington counties are cancelled on a rehearsal day due to hazardous roads/weather conditions, there will be no GCCC rehearsal on that day.       

To insure the safety of all children, parents of Apprentice and Chorus Children are required to come inside with their children for drop-off and pick them up inside after every rehearsal.  Parents are welcome to sit in rehearsal hall during rehearsal. We do not have any waiting areas available. Children are not permitted to go outside to the parking lot except under the supervision of a parent.

Parent meetings are held from from time to time and prior to a tour.  Please make every effort for at least one parent per family to be present at these short, informative meetings.

All parents are asked to consider helping out in some way.  A parent is needed weekly during each rehearsal as hallway monitor near the rehearsal area.  Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start time of the rehearsal and stay until the rehearsal is over.    Assistance is needed throughout the year for chaperones during concert rehearsals and warm-ups; tours; and the distribution and collection of choir uniforms at the beginning and end of the year.  In addition, we need assistance with telephone committees, ticket sales, ushers, fund raisers, recruiting efforts and occasional refreshments.   Please consider how you will contribute your time in some way.  Your help is needed.

For the Choir and Chorus, the GCCC rents ties to the boys and rents skirts and vests to the girls.  A nominal fee of $5.00 is required of each singer.  All rental items must be returned to the GCCC immediately after the last performance of the year.  The remainder of the performance outfit is the responsibility of each individual student:

The performance outfits for the Chamber Choir is at the discretion of the Director.

Dark pants with the GCCC T-shirts are worn.

Tuition is requested (not required) at the beginning of the year as follows:

1.  Annual tuition may be paid in full.

2.  Post-dated checks are accepted and encouraged. 

3.  Monthly checks should be brought to the first rehearsal of the month and given to Mrs. J Morgiana Williams. Please include child's name and ensemble on the check.

Partial scholarships are available on the basis of need.  Applications are available at the auditions or later by request. 

The commitment of tuition upon joining the GCCC is for an entire school year (August through May).

Tuition amounts:    

    $360.00 annual tuition for the first child is required and necessary to meet the expenses of GCCC. For your convenience we allow 9 payments of $40.00, one per month.

    $225.00 annual tuition for the second child ($25.00 per month)

    $135.00 annual tuition for each additional child ($15.00 per month)

There is a $25.00 penalty for returned checks.