Children and youth in our Ensemble Program attend weekly rehearsals led by the Choir's accomplished conductors and professional accompanists, and each choir performs throughout the year. The Choir's repertoire ranges from medieval to contemporary works: through all eras of the classical genres to jazz, gospel, folk, musical theater, and pop, and from countries around the world. Each choir level builds a foundation of skills for the next level. Children and youth in grades 3–12 require an audition for placement purposes.

Chamber Choir (Grades 10–12)

Ruthie Millgard, Artistic Director

  • Meets one time a week from September through December for the Fall semester and January through May for the Spring Semester at the following location:

  • Weekly rehearsals consist of up to 50 students at each site, with periodic full choir rehearsals

  • Simultaneous participation in Premier Choir is strongly encouraged

  • Choristers in this changed voice ensemble are expected to exhibit advanced musical independence and be able to sing mixed-voice choral works with confidence. Choristers are expected to learn repertoire independently

  • Extensive home study is required in varied intensity intermittently throughout the year

  • Choristers progress through published, sequential music literacy workbook series, A Young Singer’s Journey or Music Theory for Singers. They also use Sightreading Factory as an aural literacy training tool

  • Choristers are required to attend an overnight retreat at the start of the fall semester, and perform in eight to 15 concerts each season, including local collaborative and high-profile performances. They have the opportunity to participate in summer tours that alternate from national to international each year

  • Chamber choir collaborates regularly with local professional ensembles, and has a strong partnership with several senior living communities, performing and working with those living with dementia