Within the parish program of the Christ the King Schola Cantorum, singers learn the joy of communal music making, vocal training, sight singing, and music theory, for the edification of the singers, our parish, and for the glory of God. Schola Cantorum is a Latin phrase meaning “school of singers” (often translated as “choir school”) and is the name traditionally given to liturgical music training programs.

Treble voices* in Grades 3 through 6 are invited to audition. Mature and enthusiastic singers outside this grade range, and homeschoolers outside CTK, are also invited to audition.

*Treble voices means unchanged (not yet lowered) male voices and any female voices.

Auditions will take place in a low stress, conversational environment. They will assess enthusiasm for music making, pitch matching, and self-management skills. We are not looking for perfection, but rather musical instinct and positive attitude. (When communicating with your child, you can refer to auditions as a ‘meetup’ or ‘conversation’, if there is perceived stress around the word audition.)

Membership in the Schola Cantorum is limited to 25 singers, and is not automatic.

What to Prepare for Your Audition

Please have your child prepare a very short selection of simple music (~20 seconds). Amazing Grace or another favorite hymn would be perfectly acceptable. Children will sing their song unaccompanied.

Audition Time and Location

Thursday, March 19 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Principal’s office at CTK school

Rehearsal & Performance Dates

Choir Program Duration 

From April 1 through June 11
 

Rehearsals 

Every Wednesday 2:20pm-3:20pm

Every Thursday at 8:05am (followed by the school Mass)

 

Special Performance

Sunday, May 3 at 2:00 pm - Mass for First Communion

 

Location 

Church building

 

SCHEDULE EXCEPTION

No School Mass on April 9

 

Dates List

Wednesday, April 1,  2:20pm-3:20pm

Thursday, April 2, 8:05am

Wednesday, April 8,  2:20pm-3:20pm

NO CHOIR on Thursday, April 9

Wednesday, April 15,  2:20pm-3:20pm

Thursday, April 16, 8:05am

Wednesday, April 22,  2:20pm-3:20pm

Thursday, April 23, 8:05am

Wednesday, April 29,  2:20pm-3:20pm

Thursday, April 30, 8:05am

Sunday, May 3, 2:00pm

Wednesday, May 6,  2:20pm-3:20pm

Thursday, May 7, 8:05am

Wednesday, May 13,  2:20pm-3:20pm

Thursday, May 14, 8:05am

Wednesday, May 20,  2:20pm-3:20pm

Thursday, May 21, 8:05am

Wednesday, May 27,  2:20pm-3:20pm

Thursday, May 28, 8:05am

Wednesday, June 3,  2:20pm-3:20pm

Thursday, June 4, 8:05am

Wednesday, June 10,  2:20pm-3:20pm

Thursday, June 11, 8:05am

Must-Know Details for Parents/Guardians

• Mandary pickup requirement. Pickup after Wednesday rehearsals is between 3:20pm-3:25pm at the front doors of the church. At 3:26pm, all remaining CTK school students will be taken into extended care at CTK school. There is an associated cost at the school, for extended care.

• Mandatory homeschooler pickup requirement. If you are not a member of CTK school (i.e. homeschooled), you cannot be admitted to extended care. In addition, there is no staff who can be present to watch your children after rehearsal. Pickups of homeschooled students that are 3:26pm or later will be assessed a $30 fee.

• Mandatory attendance. It is expected that every chorister will attend every rehearsal and sing in every scheduled special event, listed in the dates section. Attendance is the linchpin to ensemble work: we all rely on each other. If a chorister must miss a practice or scheduled event, the director must be informed ASAP. A minimum of 24 hours notice is required. After 2 absences, the director will reassess the student’s participation in choir.

• Mandatory illness exclusion. If a child is ill, contagious, has a fever, or has serious coughing, they must not be present at rehearsal or performance. If experiencing only a slight cough, they are welcome to sit in the pews and listen to rehearsal, marking their score and learning without singing. Children must be taught to distance themselves by 6 feet or more from their fellow choristers, when ill.

• Release forms. 2 release forms will be provided. One, for children to walk from school to the parish building, and two, a consent form for children appearing in church audio recordings, video recordings, photos, etc.

• Materials requirement. 

  • Parents will provide a 1-inch, black, 3-ring binder and a pencil. All other scores, music, and materials will be provided by the program.

  • Children will bring their binder to and from rehearsals and performances. 

  • Treating materials with care is essential.

• Bring to rehearsal. To every rehearsal, the child must bring their binder, pencil, and a positive learning attitude.

• Child behavior expectations. 

  • Children are capable of managing their own behavior. 

  • Children treat their binder and musical scores with great care.

  • Students give full cooperation and attention to their director and treat their fellow choir members and choir helpers with respect at all times. 

  • Disrespect for authority, destruction of property, and failure to attend or be attentive during rehearsals may result in contacting the parent/guardian for assistance in correcting this behavior or a request to resign from the choir.

• Performance dress code. For performance outside the school day (e.g. our May 3 performance), modest black dress clothes are required.
• Younger siblings. Younger siblings are not permitted to stay and watch rehearsals.