3rd-12th grade choirs
Now auditioning grades 3-5 for January 2020 enrollment!
January 13 is the last day to audition. Contact us to schedule.
In a joyful and supportive environment, choristers in Northwest Girlchoir learn a lot and have fun! In 4 different choir levels, they develop healthy singing technique, build musicianship skills, grow as performers, and work as a team. They prepare for professional-calibre season concerts and community performances throughout the year and go on tours!
Rehearsals run September - June and take place at North Seattle Church at 2150 N 122nd St, Seattle, WA 98133.
How to Join
Northwest Girlchoir accepts new singers in September for all choirs. An audition is required for participation in the grade 3 - 12 choirs. See the “Auditions” section below for more information about the audition process.
To sign up for an audition for January 2020 entry, complete the following two steps:
1. Fill out the Audition Information Form
2. Contact us to set up an audition time. ($10 audition fee).
tuition & Scholarships
Northwest Girlchoir offers several payment plans to accommodate families. Northwest Girlchoir also values accessibility and diversity, and has a long-standing, growing financial aid program. We encourage participation by any enthusiastic young singer regardless of ability to pay full tuition.
AUditions
Northwest Girlchoir’s audition process is low pressure and fun! During the 20-minute audition, Artistic Director Sara Boos will check your daughter's voice quality, range, and listening skills by having her sing a series of simple patterns. She will be looking at your daughter's ability to focus and take direction, her interest in learning new things, and her kind/positive character.
For girls 6th grade and above, we recommend some previous musical training (not necessarily vocal). Good examples of this would be playing an instrument (e.g. piano, violin), performing in a band or orchestra or participating in a church or school choir. The singer should prepare one short, non-"pop" song (i.e. "My Country 'Tis of Thee," "Twinkle, Twinkle") to sing without accompaniment. Parents are asked to sit in on auditions.
Auditions are held throughout the spring and summer for fall enrollment and in December for January enrollment options. There will be a $10 audition fee due at the time of sign up. If this fee is an issue for your family, please contact Northwest Girlchoir.
Choir LevelS, Grades 3-12
Fresca
Grades 3+
Artistic Director Sara Boos leads the Fresca choir, which builds a foundation for enjoyment and success in Northwest Girlchoir. There is focus on developing concentration, attention span, and the skills to work together as a group. Our goals are to learn to sing with relaxed, healthy tone and beautiful vowels, follow a music score, read basic rhythms and pitch patterns, to sing unison and 2-part songs, and to have fun! Fresca rehearses Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 4:30-6pm.
Vivace
Grades 7+
Under the direction of Beth Ann Bonnecroy, the choristers in Vivace sing in 3 or more parts, experience more sophisticated repertoire, and often join with our Amore choristers on commissioned new works. They have expanded performing opportunities, both during mainstage concerts and throughout the community. Vivace singers receive instruction in developing their maturing singing voices and are choral leaders-in-training. Vivace rehearses Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30-6pm.
Ensemble
Grades 10-12
Ensemble is made up of a small group of auditioned Amore singers who want the experience and challenge of performing in a smaller group. Their repertoire includes more a cappella singing, chamber music, and pop and vocal jazz arrangements. Each Ensemble singer has one individual voice lesson during the fall. Ensemble is a featured performer at Spring Fling, Northwest Girlchoir's annual fundraising event. Ensemble rehearses 6:15-7:45pm on Thursdays.
Amabile
Grades 5+
Led by Andrew Seifert, this level offers choristers the opportunity to develop confidence in singing a wide variety of 2-part repertoire. Amabile singers develop more advanced ear training and music reading skills, as well as more accurate intonation and an expanded vocal range. With more rehearsal time, girls also start to build stronger friendships and a deep sense of responsibility for, and pride in, their choir community. Amabile rehearses Monday/Wednesdays or Tuesday/Thursdays from 4:30-6pm.
Amore
Grades 9-12
Sara Boos leads the Amore level, where choristers participate in sophisticated musicmaking, through the complexity and beauty of the repertoire, the independence and skills necessary to learn the music and texts, and the increasing demands for consistent, healthy, and brilliant vocal tone. Amore choristers share their talents and love of singing in performances throughout Puget Sound and participate in regional choral festivals and international tours. Amore rehearses 6:30-8:45pm on Tuesdays.
We Tour!
Northwest Girlchoir tours offer opportunities to work with amazing clinicians and to meet other choirs and audiences from around the region and world. Choristers forge new friendships, deepen current bonds with their fellow choristers, and gain pride in their choir through days of fun and hard work “on the road.” Singers gain valuable musical and life skills through performing for unfamiliar audiences and managing themselves in new environments; they grow as individual musicians and as a cooperative ensemble. Tours are optional but highly recommended. Fees for tours are in addition to the annual tuition, and financial aid is available through Northwest Girlchoir’s Scholarship Program.
Our touring program:
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Fresca: Tour Day to elementary schools, senior centers, and museums or an overnight festival
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Amabile: 2-3 day tour to a choral festival or collaboration with a regional choir, in places like Olympia, Portland, and Vancouver, B.C.
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Vivace: Annual week-long festival participation, at festivals like picFest in Eugene, OR and Sing-A-Mile High in Denver, CO
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Amore: Bi-annual international tour to places like Argentina, Italy, France, and Australia.
