1. When do you take new members?
Cantabile holds auditions and placement evaluations in August, January and June. Membership is also open to new members during the first two weeks of each semester at the beginning of September and January. The directors will place the singer by experience. For older singers who might qualify for Ensemble or Vocalise, our performance choirs, an audition must be scheduled.  Auditions are non-competitive and the director will evaluate pitch matching, melodic memory, rhythmic ability and sight reading skills in order to place the student appropriately. Singers auditioning for Vocalise or Ensemble are asked to prepare a song (please bring music) and take a written theory test. Call 650.424.1410 or email our office to schedule an evaluation or audition.

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2. Descriptions for Choirs
Preparatory Choir teaches young singers the fundamentals of singing in a group, including beginning note reading, vocal production, and performance. No previous experience is needed. Students are involved in age appropriate music and activities designed to challenge their singing and listening skills, and ignite their imaginations to explore how the elements of music can help them express themselves.   Starting in Fall 2008, the Preparatory Choir will split into two groups, one for ages 4-6 and the other for ages 6-8. Read more about the Preparatory Choirs

Intermediate Choir is for students ages 9-12 or roughly from 4th-6th grade. In this popular ensemble, singers will learn more advanced concepts about theory and sight reading, explore many different musical styles, and enjoy numerous performance opportunities. This is a high energy and exciting group to sing with. Read more about the Intermediate Choir

Ensemble is for older students, mainly ages 12-15 wishing to further their musical experiences by learning a fantastic variety of advanced literature. Ensemble is Cantabile’s elite touring group, representing the San Francisco Bay Area by performing at choral festivals, workshops and competitions around the world. In Ensemble, students receive a half hour of theory instruction per week in addition to the regular rehearsal. Read more about the Ensemble Choir

Vocalise is Cantabile’s most advanced group and is for youth aged 14-18. Singers in this smaller ensemble must possess exceptional sight reading skills, aural skills, and solid vocal technique. Students will find this group to be challenging, rewarding, and exciting to participate in! Singers will perform many different styles of music, including classical, multicultural, and jazz. During the holiday season, Vocalise students should be prepared to perform at a variety of locations around the SF Bay Area. Singers in Vocalise are also required to be part of Ensemble. Read more about the Vocalise Choir
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3. Where do you rehearse?
Cantabile Children's Chorus rehearses weekly at:

Foothills Congregational Church
461 Orange Avenue, Los Altos.

To get there:

From 280, take the El Monte exit east. Turn left on Foothill Expressway. Turn left at Main Street/Burke Road, then an immediate left onto University Avenue. Turn left again on Lincoln Avenue. Foothills Church is the second of three churches and is on the right side of the street. Park on Lincoln. The door to the rehearsal building says "Parish Hall."

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4. When do you rehearse?

All Rehearsals at Foothills Congregational Church
Preparatory Singers – Group 1 (Age 4-6)	Thursday	5:30-6:20
Preparatory Singers – Group 2 (Age 6-8)	Thursday	4:30-5:20
Intermediate	Thursday	5:30-7:00
Ensemble	Monday	5:00-7:45
Vocalise	Monday	5:45-8:45
Musicianship Skills, Ensemble only	Monday	5:00-5:45

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5. Are you affiliated with the church?
We are not affiliated with the churches. We merely rent rehearsal space from them.

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6. How much does it cost?
Tuition covers rehearsals September through May, individual year-end assessments, and includes extra rehearsals, workshops, and performances. Each family will also receive 2 concert tickets (included in the cost of tuition) for each performance.

Scholarships are available to qualifying families.

• Preparatory $900 annually, $450 semester
• Intermediate $900 annually, $450 semester
• Ensemble $1100 annually, $550 semester
• Vocalise $1100 annually, $550 semester
• New Student Registration Fee $50 ($75 for multiple members)
• Weekend Retreat $150-200 (Ensemble and Vocalise choirs only)
• Foothill College Fee $150 (refundable upon completion of required forms)
• Uniforms $70-$120
• Volunteer Buyout $50 semester
• Multiple family enrollments receive a 10% tuition discount on second siblings.

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7. What is the time commitment?
All choirs meet once a week and perform in our annual winter and spring concerts. There will be an additional dress rehearsal for each performance. In addition, Intermediate, Ensemble, and Vocalise will have extra rehearsals and workshops once or twice a month. (see question 4). Singers are asked to make a minimum commitment of 1 year to the chorus.

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8. What kind of music do you sing?
Repertoire consists of exemplary choral literature from all periods, appropriate for each choir's stage of development. Cantabile programs a wide variety of styles and cultures of music from African folk songs to Bach’s baroque. To be sensitive to the many religious beliefs of our community Cantabile does balance repertoire with religious content, as much of music history is centered in religion. Additionally, Cantabile provides a curriculum of music that will educate, enlighten, and build skill, appreciation, and understanding.

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9. Can I come to rehearsal before making a commitment?
Children are invited to come to one rehearsal before making a commitment. Following the first rehearsal, continued attendance requires registration.

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10. Where and when do you perform?
Cantabile performs 2 self-produced concerts each year in the winter and late spring. Concerts are usually held in a local church. In addition, individual choirs may have performances with other musical organizations throughout the community or in outreach locations.

11. How can I earn college credit by being in a youth choir?
Cantabile is a member of the Foothill College Performing Arts Alliance.  By filling out the Foothill College Registration Form and Permission Slip, Cantabile singers can earn two credits each semester.  Although college credit may not seem useful to a child in elementary school, our seniors applying for different colleges can attest to the fact that the credits accumulated after many years with Cantabile look good on an extracurricular resume and validate the quality of the organization.  Many colleges also accept the credits, giving the student a chance to register for classes before other freshman who enter without any college credits.  Some universities may even count it towards fulfilling a Performing Arts requirement.  In addition, the college pays Cantabile a stipend corresponding to the number of singers that register with Foothill.  This enables us to lower tuition.  Earning college credit through Cantabile benefits both your child and the organization itself.

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