Concert Group
The Concert Group meets twice weekly to rehearse. This is the most advanced level of the Chorus. Sight-singing, vocal technique, and stage presence are emphasized. We are now singing at least three parts, more often four, and we are adding more languages such as German, Italian, French, Latin, etc. Singing diction is taught. We sing a variety of music from the Renaissance to the present, and we introduce the different styles and periods of music history. The Concert Group performs frequently for concerts, private gatherings, and local organizations.
Training & Intermediate Groups
Theory requirements for the Santa Rosa Children’s Chorus are modeled after those developed for the San Francisco Boys Chorus. Ear training that is provided during chorus practice is vital to the singer’s development. It is in vocal experience that the child learns to recognize scale degrees, intervals, and harmonies, and utilize the information learned in the theory classroom. It must be understood that promotion, whether it be from Training to Intermediate, or Intermediate to Concert Group, does not necessarily depend on completion of theory requirements alone – vocal readiness for the singing demands of the Concert Group, including appropriate behavior, maturity, ability to hold a part against other parts, care of music, attendance at rehearsals and concerts – all of these are taken into consideration.
Training Group
Vocal production is explained, with emphasis on proper breathing, good posture, tone quality and articulation. We talk about the shape of the musical phrase and good diction is stressed. A great deal of time is dedicated to making a beautiful, pure, free vocal tone. We sing a variety of music from folk songs to classical, with an emphasis on a blended unison sound. Basic theory is presented – names of notes, rhythms, half steps, whole steps, formula for the major scale, dynamics – these just some of what we cover in the theory classroom. Sightsinging is introduced in the Training Group in preparation for moving ahead to Intermediate Group, where part-singing is introduced.
Intermediate Group
Music is distributed to each singer as we learn to navigate what is on the printed page. Part singing is introduced, and much emphasis is given to learning to sight-read. We continue our goal of a beautiful, free vocal production, and the shaping of the vocal phrase. We introduce singing in other languages and take time to promote good vocal diction. More ear training and advanced theory is taught – key signatures, identifying and singing intervals, sightsinging a simple melody, musical terms and symbols, etc.