Weekly Schedule and Expectations

The primary duty of the Youth Chorale is to help lead the congregation’s 11 a.m. Sunday Worship Celebration.  Chorale members are expected to attend one weekly rehearsal and to be present on Sunday morning.

The rehearsal schedule for 2011 – 2012 will be as follows:

Mid-week rehearsal: Thursday, 4:45 – 6:00 p.m.

Select Sunday rehearsals:  1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Sunday Warm-Up/Rehearsal: 10:15 a.m.
Sunday Worship Celebration: 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

All rehearsals are held in the Choir Room on the first floor of the Adams Building, unless otherwise noted.  Rehearsals begin promptly.  Youth Chorale members should plan to arrive early enough to change into robes (on Sundays), collect music, and be ready to sing at the scheduled time. For reasons including children’s safety, parents are asked to please let the directors know in advance when circumstances require that they will be absent or arrive late.

All are strongly encouraged to arrive early for Wednesday and Thursday rehearsals.  This time is used to review written work and for short, one-on-one singing lessons with the Director.

Families are expected to plan around the Youth Chorale schedule. The Sundays following Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter (among others) are days off, as are the Columbus Day and Memorial Day weekends. In addition, choir members may miss one Sunday in the fall and one Sunday in the spring.

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The community of Park Avenue Christian Church invests in its future by making an excellent musical education available to our children and youth free of charge. This investment in the chorale members not only includes books and robes, social events and private instruction, but the time, energy, and expertise of the music staff and clergy.  In return, we ask that youth and parents commit to regular participation in every aspect of the Youth Chorale program.

We expect that Youth Chorale participants will:
•    arrive punctually to all rehearsals, services and performances.
•    bring a positive attitude, an open mind and willingness to learn and grow;
•    follow direction given by the directors and designated adult leaders;
•    treat their fellow singers with respect at all times;
•    complete assigned work in their Voice for Life workbooks;

We expect that Youth Chorale parents will:
•    ensure that their children arrive to rehearsals, services and other events punctually;
•    support and affirm their child(ren) as they grow musically;
•    volunteer regularly as a parent chaperone at rehearsals, Sunday services and at other events;
•    communicate in a timely way with the directors.

In the event that a chorale member exhibits behavior problems, negativity, consistent tardiness or absenteeism, a meeting will be held with the directors, child and parent(s).  If improvement is not shown, the child will be asked to leave the Youth Chorale program.

For all concerts and worship services, choir members are asked to wear black pants/skirt, black dress shoes (not sneakers), dark socks, and a white collared shirt. Girls’ shoes should not be open-toe or sandals and hose should be black or tan.