Our Choirs
Music Makers: First Experiences in Singing is offered in 8-week sessions in Fall, Winter, and Spring on Tuesdays 4:00-4:50pm at First Presbyterian Church SLO. This activity-based program is designed for boys and girls ages 5 to 6 and focuses on developing our youngest musical artists in a fun and dynamic environment. Children will learn musical principles and develop a personal understanding of music through participation in singing, movement, games, and exploration of instruments, including the voice.
All of the following ensembles also rehearse on Tuesdays in San Luis Obispo at the First Presbyterian Church (981 Marsh St, SLO). They are considered performance choirs and participate in concerts that close the Fall and Spring semesters. Additional performances are sometimes scheduled.
Brio is a performing choir open to boys and girls ages 7 to 9 who would like to continue developing their voices, experience singing in a group, and learn musicianship in a fun environment! Brio singers learn basic disciplines of the choral art, including healthy vocalizing, beginning musicianship concepts, stage and audience etiquette, and studying and memorizing three to four age-appropriate choral pieces. Brio singers appear in our major concerts and often participate in scheduled community events. Performance in concerts is dependent on maturity and stage presence. No audition or prior experience is required. Rehearsals are from 4:00-5:15 pm at the First Presbyterian Church SLO on Tuesdays.
Cadence is our upper elementary performing ensemble where treble singers, approximately ages 9 to 12, continue developing general musicianship and singing skills. Vocal coaching, healthy vocal development, and learning and memorizing age-appropriate repertoire are integral components of rehearsals. Cadence singers also concentrate on ear training and harmonizing, fundamental music theory concepts, stage presence and performance etiquette, and building ensemble teamwork. Cadence participates in major concerts and community events. A friendly vocal assessment for part assignments is needed; prior singing experience is suggested, but no audition is required. Rehearsals are from 4:00-5:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church SLO on Tuesdays.
Cadenza is designed to serve the vocal needs of middle to high-school-aged treble voices, singers ages 12 to 18. It is a comprehensive musical experience for upper ages, facilitated by local jazz singer/composer and music educator, Inga Swearingen. Cadenza singers build on the same skills mentioned for Cadence singers, honing their musicianship and vocal skills, and concentrating on higher-level ear training, sight-singing, and vocal technique. These singers will deepen their understanding of the choral art and learn to evaluate, interpret, express, and connect choral music—the songs they are singing together—to everyday experience. Cadenza singers learn leadership and self-direction while practicing the various disciplines of ensemble work and group improvisation. At this time, the Cadenza choir is considered the oldest and most experienced of the CCYC ensembles. Though an audition is not required, some singing and musical experience is recommended. Rehearsals are from 4:00-5:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church SLO on Tuesdays.
Grace Notes is our newest small ensemble for ages 14-18 under the direction of Melody Svennungsen. This is a 4 to 7-voice auditioned group, whose members are: committed to vocal excellence [with strong voices and fine tone quality]; vocally autonomous [able to carry a part alone]; and independent learners [able to rehearse and memorize music at home aside from scheduled rehearsals]. Singers must currently be enrolled in Cadenza, and a year-long commitment is preferred in order to build a strong ensemble. Call (805) 464-0443 or email [email protected] to schedule an audition. Grace Notes rehearsals will be 35 minutes long from 5:35 to 6:10 pm every-other Tuesday, after regularly-scheduled Cadenza rehearsals. Singers will prepare two a cappella pieces for the December concerts under the directorship of Melody Svennungsen, as well as pieces for our Spring concerts in May. Grace Notes will be ambassadors for CCYC, becoming a self-governing and excellent ensemble with extra performance opportunities throughout the season.
Young Men's Ensemble is designed for ages 13-19 for both changed and unchanged voices and no audition is required. As with all of the CCYC ensembles, the emphasis is on musicianship and vocal training, along with choral studies. Healthy voice-building is stressed; regular voice checks are a part of rehearsal. YME typically joins Vivace on selected songs. In addition to performing in the CCYC seasonal concerts, they may tour or participate in choral festivals and appear at other local happenings including sporting events. This is the place for men to find their voices!
**Currently not offered for Fall 2024.
Vivace is an auditioned choir for young women from ages 16 to 19—some exceptions for younger singers apply at the discretion of the Director. Singers perform repertoire from classics to 4-part a cappella and all styles in between. Vivace singers are required to have vocal independence and developed musicianship skills. Members are expected to make choir a priority, come to ALL rehearsals, and understand that they are an integral part of a team. Vivace sings in all major concerts, choral festivals, and has occasional opportunities for traveling to festivals and other musical events. Vivace often collaborates in performances with local adult groups such as OperaSLO, the SLO Symphony, SLO Vocal Arts Ensemble, and SLO Master Chorale. Vivace auditions can be scheduled by contacting our office at [email protected].
**Currently not offered for Fall 2024.
AVE is CCYC’s Advanced Vocal Ensemble, an auditioned chamber group made up of Vivace members. The recommended age range is 16 to 19, but exceptions do occur. A year-long singer commitment is preferred in order to build a strong ensemble. AVE members are expected to make choir a priority and realize that their commitment to the smaller ensemble [team] is essential. AVE singers must value their roles in the larger framework and understand that membership includes the following: leading as examples, mentors, and section leaders for younger singers; acting as ambassadors for CCYC; committing to participation in outside, possibly unscheduled, performances; willingness to work outside of rehearsals [responsibility for rehearsing/memorizing music independently]; attending every rehearsal possible, including Super Saturdays, extended Tuesdays, and occasional weekend meetings. Musically, members are expected to understand and be able to apply intermediate theory skills, learn difficult music, and hold their own part independently. Excellent work ethic, focus, and mature comportment is expected in rehearsal, on stage, and as audience members. Again, auditions can be scheduled by contacting our office.
**Currently not offered for Fall 2024.
All of the following ensembles also rehearse on Tuesdays in San Luis Obispo at the First Presbyterian Church (981 Marsh St, SLO). They are considered performance choirs and participate in concerts that close the Fall and Spring semesters. Additional performances are sometimes scheduled.
Brio is a performing choir open to boys and girls ages 7 to 9 who would like to continue developing their voices, experience singing in a group, and learn musicianship in a fun environment! Brio singers learn basic disciplines of the choral art, including healthy vocalizing, beginning musicianship concepts, stage and audience etiquette, and studying and memorizing three to four age-appropriate choral pieces. Brio singers appear in our major concerts and often participate in scheduled community events. Performance in concerts is dependent on maturity and stage presence. No audition or prior experience is required. Rehearsals are from 4:00-5:15 pm at the First Presbyterian Church SLO on Tuesdays.
Cadence is our upper elementary performing ensemble where treble singers, approximately ages 9 to 12, continue developing general musicianship and singing skills. Vocal coaching, healthy vocal development, and learning and memorizing age-appropriate repertoire are integral components of rehearsals. Cadence singers also concentrate on ear training and harmonizing, fundamental music theory concepts, stage presence and performance etiquette, and building ensemble teamwork. Cadence participates in major concerts and community events. A friendly vocal assessment for part assignments is needed; prior singing experience is suggested, but no audition is required. Rehearsals are from 4:00-5:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church SLO on Tuesdays.
Cadenza is designed to serve the vocal needs of middle to high-school-aged treble voices, singers ages 12 to 18. It is a comprehensive musical experience for upper ages, facilitated by local jazz singer/composer and music educator, Inga Swearingen. Cadenza singers build on the same skills mentioned for Cadence singers, honing their musicianship and vocal skills, and concentrating on higher-level ear training, sight-singing, and vocal technique. These singers will deepen their understanding of the choral art and learn to evaluate, interpret, express, and connect choral music—the songs they are singing together—to everyday experience. Cadenza singers learn leadership and self-direction while practicing the various disciplines of ensemble work and group improvisation. At this time, the Cadenza choir is considered the oldest and most experienced of the CCYC ensembles. Though an audition is not required, some singing and musical experience is recommended. Rehearsals are from 4:00-5:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church SLO on Tuesdays.
Grace Notes is our newest small ensemble for ages 14-18 under the direction of Melody Svennungsen. This is a 4 to 7-voice auditioned group, whose members are: committed to vocal excellence [with strong voices and fine tone quality]; vocally autonomous [able to carry a part alone]; and independent learners [able to rehearse and memorize music at home aside from scheduled rehearsals]. Singers must currently be enrolled in Cadenza, and a year-long commitment is preferred in order to build a strong ensemble. Call (805) 464-0443 or email [email protected] to schedule an audition. Grace Notes rehearsals will be 35 minutes long from 5:35 to 6:10 pm every-other Tuesday, after regularly-scheduled Cadenza rehearsals. Singers will prepare two a cappella pieces for the December concerts under the directorship of Melody Svennungsen, as well as pieces for our Spring concerts in May. Grace Notes will be ambassadors for CCYC, becoming a self-governing and excellent ensemble with extra performance opportunities throughout the season.
Young Men's Ensemble is designed for ages 13-19 for both changed and unchanged voices and no audition is required. As with all of the CCYC ensembles, the emphasis is on musicianship and vocal training, along with choral studies. Healthy voice-building is stressed; regular voice checks are a part of rehearsal. YME typically joins Vivace on selected songs. In addition to performing in the CCYC seasonal concerts, they may tour or participate in choral festivals and appear at other local happenings including sporting events. This is the place for men to find their voices!
**Currently not offered for Fall 2024.
Vivace is an auditioned choir for young women from ages 16 to 19—some exceptions for younger singers apply at the discretion of the Director. Singers perform repertoire from classics to 4-part a cappella and all styles in between. Vivace singers are required to have vocal independence and developed musicianship skills. Members are expected to make choir a priority, come to ALL rehearsals, and understand that they are an integral part of a team. Vivace sings in all major concerts, choral festivals, and has occasional opportunities for traveling to festivals and other musical events. Vivace often collaborates in performances with local adult groups such as OperaSLO, the SLO Symphony, SLO Vocal Arts Ensemble, and SLO Master Chorale. Vivace auditions can be scheduled by contacting our office at [email protected].
**Currently not offered for Fall 2024.
AVE is CCYC’s Advanced Vocal Ensemble, an auditioned chamber group made up of Vivace members. The recommended age range is 16 to 19, but exceptions do occur. A year-long singer commitment is preferred in order to build a strong ensemble. AVE members are expected to make choir a priority and realize that their commitment to the smaller ensemble [team] is essential. AVE singers must value their roles in the larger framework and understand that membership includes the following: leading as examples, mentors, and section leaders for younger singers; acting as ambassadors for CCYC; committing to participation in outside, possibly unscheduled, performances; willingness to work outside of rehearsals [responsibility for rehearsing/memorizing music independently]; attending every rehearsal possible, including Super Saturdays, extended Tuesdays, and occasional weekend meetings. Musically, members are expected to understand and be able to apply intermediate theory skills, learn difficult music, and hold their own part independently. Excellent work ethic, focus, and mature comportment is expected in rehearsal, on stage, and as audience members. Again, auditions can be scheduled by contacting our office.
**Currently not offered for Fall 2024.
