Thank you for your interest in the Canadian Children's Opera Chorus. Should you have any questions regarding the audition process, please feel free to contact our office at 416-366-0467 and we will be happy to answer them. Upon receipt of your completed application, you will be contacted to confirm a date and time for your child's audition.

Auditions and rehearsals take place at Calvin Presbyterian Church, 26 Delisle Avenue (one block north of St. Clair Avenue, one half block west of Yonge Street).

FIVE CHORUSES
The Principal Chorus (PC)   (ages 10 to 16)

Under the direction of Artistic Director Ann Cooper Gay, the Principal Chorus rehearses twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays from 4:30 - 6:30 pm. In January and February of 2008, regular rehearsals will also take place on Saturdays in preparation for the Spring Opera production.

Members of the Principal Chorus participate each season in Winter and Spring Concerts, the fully staged Opera Production and numerous other performance and recording opportunities as well as appearing with leading performing arts groups such as the Canadian Opera Company, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Mirvish Productions, the Hannaford Street Silver Band, University of Toronto Opera School and Soundstreams Canada. Principal Chorus members participate in vocal training, drama workshops and tour programs. Dramatic training is provided by resident drama coaches in addition to guest directors and choreographers.

The Chamber Choir is drawn from members of the Principal Chorus. Members of this group sing additional unique repertoire and have extra performance opportunities.

A five-day summer camp is held during the last week of August, and is mandatory for all members.

Audition requirements for PC:

• Two musical selections of contrasting styles, at least one of which must be folk or classical. A pianist will accompany you or you may supply your own. Please bring printed music with you.
• One short spoken dramatic selection
• Auditionees will be asked to sing back intervals and melodies, clap rhythms and sight-sing.
• There will be a short written evaluation of theory level for purposes of internal placement.

Canadian Youth Opera Chorus (CYOC, YC)    girls ages 16+, boys with changed voices

Under the direction of Artistic Director Ann Cooper Gay, the Youth Chorus meets on Mondays from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Choral repertoire is complemented by drawn from opera, oratorio, and musical theatre as well as solo/ensemble selections from opera and musical theatre. Rehearsals will be used primarily to polish and stage pieces of assigned music; independent learning is highly encouraged. The Youth Chorus presents a Spring Concert and also appears at many CCOC events and with major performing arts groups such as the Hannaford Street Silver Band, Canadian Opera Company Ensemble, and Soundstreams Canada.

Audition requirements for YC:

• Two musical selections of contrasting styles, at least one of which must be folk or classical. A pianist will accompany you or you may supply your own. Please bring printed music with you.
• One short spoken dramatic selection
• Auditionees will be asked to sing back intervals and melodies, clap rhythms and sight-sing.
• There will be a short written evaluation of theory level.

Intermediate Chorus (formerly Intermediate Chorus)   (ages 9 to 11)

Under the direction of Conductor Bronwen Low, the Intermediate Chorus rehearses once a week on Wednesdays from 5:15 to 6:45 pm. Intermediate Chorus provides the children with vocal, dramatic, solfege and theory training in preparation for advancement to the Principal Chorus. Dramatic training is under drama coach Joanne Mitchell. Intermediate Chorus participates each season in the Winter Concert, Spring Concert, event and other performance opportunities.

Audition requirements for IC:

• At least one musical selection, which should be folk or classical. A pianist will accompany you or you may supply your own. Please bring printed music with you.
• One short spoken dramatic selection
• Auditionees may be asked to sing back intervals and melodies, clap rhythms and sight-sing.
• There will be a short written evaluation of theory level for purposes of internal placement

Apprentice Chorus (formerly Apprentice Chorus I)   approx. ages 7 to 8

Under the direction of Conductor Diane Jamieson, the Apprentice Chorus rehearses once a week on Tuesdays from 5:00 - 6:15 pm. Apprentice Chorus provides the children with vocal, drama, solfege and theory training in preparation for advancement to Intermediate Chorus. Dramatic training is under drama coach Joanne Mitchell. Apprentice Chorus participates each season in the Spring Concert, Winter Concert, and other performance opportunities.

Audition requirements for AC:

• One musical selection, which should be folk or classical. Please bring printed music with you
• One short spoken dramatic selection
• Auditionees may be asked to sing back intervals and melodies, clap rhythms and sight-sing.
• There will be a short written evaluation of theory level for purposes of internal placement

Ruby Chorus   (ages 5 to 7)

Under the direction of Conductor Bronwen Low, the Ruby Chorus rehearses once a week on Wednesdays from 4:00 to 5:00 pm. The Ruby Chorus receives vocal training through a choral program, with additional dramatic training under drama coach Joanne Mitchell. Ruby Chorus participates each season in the Winter Concert and Spring Concert and other performance opportunities.

Audition requirements: When auditioning for the Ruby Chorus, children are expected to sing a folk or classical song. They are tested in the areas of rhythm and pitch.