Mission Statement 

The Kodály Concept  

An Overview 

The Choirs 

• Ready, Set, Sing!
• Preparatory I & II
• Cantiamo & Bel Canto
• Bella Voce

Tuition

• Tuition Policies

Scholarships

Rehearsals

• Attendance
• Rehearsal Procedures

Performance Uniforms

• Ready Set Sing!
• Preparatory Choirs I & II
• Cantiamo & Bel Canto
• Bella Voce

Communication

Fundraising

Frivolous Friday Rehearsals (Cantiamo & Bel Canto )

OAKE Choirs (Cantiamo & Bel Canco)

Spring Tour (Cantiamo & Bel Canco)

Performance Proposals (Cantiamo & Bel Canto)

Parent Organization

Board of Directors & Artistic Staff 

Statement of Commitment

“A child is the most susceptible and the most enthusiastic audience for pure art; artistry is something felt by youth’s congenial spirit.”

~ Zoltán Kodály

Children’s Choir of Chico is hosted by California State University, Chico School of the Arts.  Its purpose is to serve the children in the greater Chico area by providing stimulating and challenging choral music education of the highest artistic standards through choral performance.  With this focus, the Choir hopes to accomplish the following goals:

1. To achieve the highest level of artistic excellence necessary to perform a variety of choral works in a variety of settings.
2. To ensure that all choir members gain knowledge and demonstrate literacy in musical concepts and vocal skills.
3. To foster an environment in which each singer can experience the joy of singing, develop confidence, and gain a sense of being a vital part of a musical team.
4. To provide access to the choir for all children from all cultural and economic backgrounds.
5. To assist area music educators by providing an additional opportunity for their students to participate, learn, and grow in their music experiences.
6. To serve as a model of choral literature and vocal training, and as an advocacy group for music education in the community.
7. To contribute to the cultural life of our community and the surrounding area.

Who was Kodály?

Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967) - Hungarian composer, philosopher, scholar, educator, and ethnomusicologist. 

What is the “Kodály Concept”? (Lois Choksy)

A comprehensive system of music education, developed in Hungary in the 1940s & 1950s by Kodály, his colleagues, and his students. The “concept” was not invented by Kodály, but rather “evolved in the Hungarian schools under his inspiration and guidance. The goals, the philosophy, and the principles were Kodály’s. The pedagogy, the means through which to achieve these goals, was not.”

• Solfa – Italy (do, re, mi…)
• Tonic solfa – England
• Rhythm syllables – France (ta, ti-ti, tiri-tiri)
• Solfa techniques – Jaques-Dalcroze
• Hand-signs – adaptation from Curwen – England
• Teaching process – Pestalozzi

“The greatest deficiency in our culture is that it is built from above…We put up fancy spires first. When we saw that the whole edifice was shaky, we set to building the walls.  We have still to make the cellar…. If in 1875 instead of establishing the Academy of Music, we had laid the foundations for the teaching of singing in schools, today’s musical culture would be greater… As though a university was founded in a country that had not even any primary schools.”

 (Kodály “Music in the Kindergarten”)

So, what is the Kodály philosophy?

The Kodály approach is a dynamic, exciting way of teaching and learning, based on the developmental readiness of the child. The process involves a sequential layering of skills and concepts designed to build success for every child.  Understanding of rhythm develops through use of movement activities and rhythmic syllables; melodic and harmonic understanding develops through the use of solfege syllables (do, re, mi…) in the movable “do” system, interval training, and hand signs. The process begins with singing games and leads to instrument playing, improvising, composing and arranging, reading and notation, analyzing, and evaluating. Comprehensive music literacy, leading to great art music, is the ultimate goal.

“Only the best is good enough for children.”

1. All people capable of linguistic literacy are also capable of musical literacy
2. Singing is the best foundation for musicianship
3. Music education, to be most effective, must begin with the very young child
4. The folk songs of a child’s own linguistic heritage constitute a musical “mother tongue” and should therefore be the vehicle for early instruction
5. Only music of the highest artistic value, both folk and composed, should be used in teaching
6. Music should be at the heart of the curriculum, a core subject, used as a basis for education

1. To develop to the fullest extent possible the innate musicality present in all children
2. To make the language of music known to all children; to help them become musically literate in the fullest sense of the word – able to read, write, and create with the vocabulary of music
3. To make the children’s musical heritage – the folk songs of their language and culture – known to them

• Exciting, active rehearsals  
• Artober Fest Opening Ceremony
• Tribute Concert with Chico State Wind Ensemble
• Veteran’s Day Concert
• Downtown Chico Christmas Tree Lighting
• Concerts for rest homes/retirement homes
• Glorious Sounds of the Season, Chico State Music Scholarship Concert
• Knight’s of Columbus Crab Feed
• CCOC Bunko entertainment
• Performances for local community organizations
• Gala Spring Concert

• Develop proper breathing techniques
• Work on correct pronunciation of vowels
• Practice proper articulation of words
• Do regular warm-ups to extend vocal range and projection
• Learn to listen critically to ourselves and to others
• Explore music literature and music history
• Study characteristics of various voice types
• Learn the proper vocabulary of music
• Practice music reading
• Learn to function as a member of a group

• Singing!
• Having people care enough about our choir to come and hear us!
• Having a willing supply of chauffeurs, chaperones, pizza organizers, cookie bakers and encouragers!

• Singers who come to rehearsals ready to learn
• Singers who are on their best behavior
• Singers who memorize their music on time
• Singers who smile and share their positive attitude

Ready, Set, Sing! (Kindergarten & 1^st Grade)

Preparatory Choir Levels I & II (Grades 2 & 3)

Cantiamo (Grades 4 & up)

Bel Canto (Grades 6 & up)

Bella Voce (Women's Ensemble - High School & up)

Full Year Tuition Information (2006-2007)

Each installment is due at the first rehearsal during the months of September, October, November, and December.

Maximum tuition per family is $1000 per choir year. This does not include Uniforms, Tours, or the

$10 non-refundable Registration Fee.

Spring Semester Tuition Information

Tuition price per month of January, February, March, April and May

Each installment is due at the first rehearsal during the months of February & March

Tuition Policies

Refunds

• Choir year divided into semesters: September through December is considered the fall semester; January through May is the spring semester.
• If someone drops out during the fall semester, they will be refunded their spring semester tuition (5/9 of the total tuition amount).
• If they quit during the spring semester, they will not receive any refund.
• No registration or uniform fees will be refunded.

Late Registration

• For members joining late in the fall semester, tuition will be pro-rated by month for the remaining months in the choir year. A prepayment discount will be given for families paying in full upon registration. If desired, tuition can be broken into three installments.
• If new members join at the beginning of the spring semester, they will pay for the whole semester, which is 5/9  of the full year tuition.
• For spring registrations, if the tuition is paid in full upon registration, an appropriate prepayment discount will be given. If desired, the tuition can be paid in two installments.

Tours

• Tuition accounts must be paid in full for choristers to participate in CCOC tours.

Rehearsal Schedule

First Christian Church - 295 East Washington Ave., Chico

Attendance

Because we have an active concert season it is essential that we use every minute wisely. Please plan for Choir Members to:

1. BE ON TIME for rehearsals. "On time" means arriving 10 minutes before the rehearsal begins. Promptness is essential to teamwork. We can only work together when we are all here!
2. SIGN-IN and be in your seat 5 minutes before rehearsal begins (Cantiamo & Bel Canto).
3. BRING all music to each rehearsal. Students are responsible for the music in their folder. Choir Members will pay for any music that is lost or damaged.
4. HAVE a snack before you arrive for rehearsal.
5. USE restrooms and get drinks of water before rehearsal, as there is not sufficient time for all Choir Members to use restrooms during the rehearsal.
6. Chewing gum, eating, and drinking are not allowed in the rehearsal room. A closed container of water is permitted.

Our goals for the year include self-improvement as musicians and public performances in which we can share our musical progress. To share beautiful music is a privilege, an honor and a responsibility. A look at our calendar shows that we will have many opportunities to perform.  Choir members are expected to actively participate in rehearsals, as a significant amount of material is covered at each rehearsal. Concerts are the outcome of our rehearsals and the culmination of our musical gift to our audiences. Because we are a TEAM, important musical factors such as balance and blend are affected by the absence of even a single performer! When you join a musical group, members accept the responsibility to be at rehearsals and as many concerts as possible.  

Keeping in mind that COMMUNICATION between parents, teacher, and student is a prerequisite to success in music, please do the following: 

Ready, Set, Sing! Kindergarten & 1^st Grade

Preparatory Choir Levels I & II

Performance Uniform Ordering and Procedures

Choir Polo Shirt: All sizes of the polo shirt cost $18.00.  Polo shirts will be ordered through Children’s Choir of Chico using a Purple Order Form. Upon receiving your polo, please label it with chorister’s name. Please be sure to order your uniform items early. Ordering Polo Shirts can take up to two weeks for your order to be processed, shipped, and picked-up. Please allot the appropriate time space for your particular order, keeping in mind the performance calendar and what uniform is needed.

• Formal: Black pants and skirts are to be furnished by choir members.
• Casual: Long jean pants and jean skirts are to be furnished by choir members.

Choir Polo Shirt Laundry Alert

• Just a reminder when washing the Choir polo that color-safe laundry detergents are used. Please do not use bleach of any kind, as it is detrimental to the colors in our logo. Thank you.

Uniform Recycling Program

• If your child has out-grown a uniform and it is still usable, please contact CCOC about sharing it with another Choir family. 

Hair for all performances

• Boys: Neatly trimmed, clean and combed
• Girls: Clean and combed
  • Girls with long hair are asked to pull or tie it back. Ribbons, clips, headbands and bows in white or black are suggested.

Cantiamo and Bel Canto

Casual Performance Uniform - Boys & Girls

• CCOC Polo Shirt
• Dark blue jeans (long) or jean skirt (knee-length or longer) — jean shorts my be worn when indicated by the Conductor
• White socks
• White, clean tennis shoes

• Long-sleeved white tuxedo shirt with button covers (please label with chorister’s name)
• Red brocade bow tie and cummerbund (provided by CCOC)

Performance Uniform Ordering and Procedures

Choir Polo Shirt: All sizes of the polo shirt cost $18.00.  Polo shirts will be ordered through Children’s Choir of Chico using a Purple Order Form. Upon receiving your polo, please label it with chorister’s name.

Formal Uniform: Orders are to be placed by the choir member through J & S Formalwear & Bridal (343-3828, 1600 Mangrove Avenue, Suite P)

Tux shirts - $13.50     Tux pants - $29.00    Palazzo pants - $29.00  (Prices subject to change)

• Please see J & S for proper sizing and fit
• Make sure that all orders are placed well in advance of any performance (allow two weeks)
• All tux pants/palazzos must be hemmed one inch from the floor (measured with concert shoes on)
• Hemming can be arranged at J & S for a minimal fee

Casual: Long jean pants and jean skirts are to be furnished by choir members. 

Hair for All Performances

• Boys: Neatly trimmed, clean and combed
• Girls: Clean and combed. Girls with long hair are asked to pull or tie it back. Ribbons, clips, headbands and bows in white or black are suggested.

 Important Uniform Information

Please be sure to order your uniform items early. Ordering Polo Shirts and from J & S can take up to two weeks for your order to be processed, shipped, and picked-up. Please allot the appropriate time space for your particular order, keeping in mind the performance calendar and what uniform is needed.

Choir Polo Shirt Laundry Alert and Recycling

• Just a reminder when washing the Choir polo that color-safe laundry detergents are used. Please do not use bleach of any kind, as it is detrimental to the colors in our logo. Thank you.
• If your child has out-grown a uniform and it is still usable, please contact CCOC about sharing it with another Choir family.

Bella Voce

Formal Performance Uniform Options

• Black dress pantsuit
• Long black dress (long sleeved and to the ankles)
• Long sleeved black dress shirt and long black skirt
• Black dress shoes (low heel, quiet, comfortable)
• Black nylons or socks

Casual Performance Uniform

• White dress top (long sleeved or quarter length)
• Black pants (please no black jeans, sweats, or leggings)
• Black dress shoes (low heel, quiet, comfortable)
• Black nylons or socks

All performance attire is furnished by the choir member

Cantiamo and Bel Canto

You will notice that the Choir Calendar includes several Friday evening rehearsals and pizza parties.  Our regular rehearsals are scheduled to provide weekly opportunities to learn our music.  One way to gain some additional rehearsal time prior to a concert is by having these concentrated Friday rehearsals, and we enjoy these opportunities to perfect our music, play games, and eat pizza together!  Parents will be asked to assist and to provide goodies for some of these rehearsals. Please help us by planning ahead and making these rehearsals a priority.

Choristers who have been a member of the Children’s Choir of Chico for one year are invited to audition for the 2007 National Children’s Choir, National Youth Choir, and National Concert Choir of the Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE).  These prestigious choirs will rehearse with internationally renowned conductors in conjunction with the OAKE 2007 National Conference, March 21-25 in Chicago, Il.  O

ne of the most exciting events of the Conference is always the concert by the Conference Choirs (Children’s, Youth, and Concert), which will occur on Saturday, March 24 2007. 

The purpose of these choirs is to present an opportunity for the finest young voices in America, who are trained to sing in choirs by Kodály inspired music teachers, to perform outstanding choral repertoire under the direction of a world class conductor.

During the Choir season, after the planning of our Calendar, we will be invited to sing at a variety of events in our community. After being researched and considered by the Children’s Choir of Chico Conductor, Staff, and Board of Directors, a Performance Proposal will be sent home with choir members.  Each proposal will indicate specific information and a time line for a response.  If a minimum number of students are able to commit to the performance, considering balance between and among the Choir’s sections, then the performance will be accepted and added to our calendar.

The enthusiasm for our programs comes from our Choir Families. 

Your involvement is very important and essential to our organization.

CCOC is a success due to the support and dedication of our Choir families.