Coastal Sound Artistic Team has two goals: to make music learning a joyful experience, and to achieve musical excellence and emotional connection. We divide singers into levels based on age and experience. All of the choral groups at Coastal Sound offer learner-centered instruction by professional choral music educators, vocal coaches and conductors to best meet the musical, intellectual and social needs of singers.
How to Join a Choir:
1) find the name of the appropriate age and level of choir you need from the list below. Click on the name of the singing group below to get more information or to register for that group.
2) book a placement evaluation or audition if that is required.
* Sources: boys & girls, ages 4 & 5 in the current calendar year, (non-auditioned, early childhood music education)
* Con Brio: means “with spirit, with vigor”! boys & girls, ages 6 and up (acceptance by friendly placement evaluation)
* Con Bella: girls ages 8 and up with prior music experience (acceptance by friendly placement evaluation)
* Children’s Choir: girls and boys, ages 9 to 16 (by audition and interview; this group tours and performs professionally)
* Youth Choir: men and women, ages 15 to 23 (by audition and interview; this group tours and performs professionally)
* Adult Choir: men and women, ages 19 and up (non-auditioned)
* Music Theory & Sight Singing classes are now part of our Con Brio, Con Bella and Children’s Choir programs. All singers at these levels will receive instruction in Theory and Sightsinging.
FAQs from Training Choir Families
My child loves to sing! What do I do? No matter the experience of your child, he/she is welcome to come sing with us. We accept singers into Training Choirs from ages 5 and up. Please contact Angela Crocker at sing@coastalsoundmusic.com or 604-552-2762 to arrange a friendly placement interview.
What’s a friendly placement interview? At our Children’s Choir and Youth Choir levels, singers audition for placement. The prospect of an audition may overwhelm younger, less experienced singers so participants at this level take part in a friendly placement interview. The purpose of this interview is to assess their current singing skills and ensure they are placed in the correct training level for the coming season.
My child already sings with Coastal Sound. Do we still need to book a placement interview? No. Previous participants will be assessed in class and a recommended level for the 2012-13 season will be noted on their progress report.
Is there a cost for the interview? No. There is no fee.
Where do the interviews take place? Interviews will take place at the Evergreen Cultural Centre. During July & August, these interviews are being done by appointment, as needed.
Do we need to prepare for the placement interview? Each prospective chorister should prepare a piece, like a song learned at school, a folk song, or O Canada. Above all, your child should choose something he or she feels comfortable and confident singing. Piano will not be used for accompaniment. There’s no need to be nervous. We want to get to know your child and place them in the group that is the best fit for the singer.
What happens at the interview? Each interview lasts 10 to 15 minutes. Artistic Team members will listen to your child’s vocal quality, listening skills, vocal range, and ability to take direction and demonstrate a positive character. Think of it as a mini singing lesson that may include:
• Singers’ breathing and posture
• A vocal warm up
• Echo-ing back short melodies
• Singing O Canada or a song of your choice
• A few questions about your musical experience
When will my child and I learn the results of the interview? You will find out which choir your child has been recommended for immediately at the interview. Afterwards, you can ask questions and get details about that specific choir, and make your decision to accept our invitation to come sing with us. We ask that families confirm student’s participation and secure your child’s spot by completing Coastal Sound’s online registration form as soon as possible. Fees will be due in September.
What does it cost to join the Training Choirs? Tuition for the 2012-13 season is $600 if paid in full by September 30, 2012. (That works out to a mere $11 an hour for music lessons!) Payment plans are also available with 10 monthly payments of $70 from September to June. Bursaries are available based on financial assistance based on need. Please ask upon registration.
What’s included in tuition? Choristers receive 90 minutes of rehearsal time each week plus professional performance opportunities throughout the year. Singers are taught by professional music educators and professional musicians. In addition, each participant will receive a music binder and use of music from Coastal Sound’s library throughout the year. First time registrants also receive a Coastal Sound t-shirt as part of their tuition.
Are there additional costs involved? Training choir singers require the formal uniform of a CSMA polo shirt (available for $35) plus black dress pants, shoes, socks and belt. There is a theory workbook that all singers will require, as theory & sight singing will be a formal part of our programs. Theory supplies are $20 per singer. Families may also want to purchase audience tickets to attend concerts throughout the year. Additional fees also apply for optional activities such as the Day of Singing workshop and occasional social activities.
What about fundraising? Coastal Sound Music is a not-for-profit and we invest considerable time in fundraising to keep costs as low as possible for our choristers. We ask families to make only one fundraising commitment each season. Each family, regardless of the number of singers in the family, commits to either buying two Gala Dinner tickets or donating $150 in lieu of participation. Families will be kept informed of other optional fundraising opportunities as they arise but are not required to participate.
Bursaries are available. At Coastal Sound, we believe that everyone deserves quality music experiences for their whole life. No singer is ever denied placement because of financial need. Contact us for bursary application forms.
Where do the rehearsals take place? Training Choir rehearsals take place at Blakeburn Elementary, 1040 Riverside Drive, Port Coquitlam. Weekly rehearsals are held Tuesdays, September – June from 5-6:30pm.