Austin Girls' Choir

About

Mission Statement: Austin Girls’ Choir is a 501(c)(3) organization serving musically talented girls age 8-18.  Its purpose is to provide a top-level choral experience and performance opportunities, help choristers develop self-discipline, teamwork skills, confidence, goal-setting and leadership, and prepare girls to enrich and lead in their communities as adults.

Austin Girls’ Choir began in 1990 as a 4-month experiment in single-gender education – and kept going when Governor-elect Ann Richards insisted that only this group could sing for her Inaugural Prayer Service in January 1991!  One of our strongest supporters from our early days, she welcomed us to the Governor’s Mansion on many occasions, visiting with the girls in her living room and hiring the choir to sing for many parties and special events.  It has been our great privilege to be “the go-to choir” for state bill signings and legislature events for the past 25 years, a tradition begun by Governor Richards.

The Choir has enjoyed many wonderful opportunities since its inception – singing at Carnegie Hall and the White House; concert tours all over the US and Europe; being broadcast on CNN, BBC Radio, C-SPAN, the Armed Forces Network and many local TV and radio stations across the US; and collaborations with other top-level choirs, musicians and ensembles.  These achievements are due to the commitment and hard work of our director, choristers and parents, and we welcome all those who understand that great teamwork takes us great places!

Our choristers are taught music theory, sightreading and ear training skills, and develop personal responsibility, self-discipline and performance poise as they learn to function as part of a team and to value one another.  They take pleasure and pride in achieving new levels, mastering difficult works, and sharing their accomplishments with appreciative audiences.  The girls sing in several languages, and learn about other cultures’ arts and history as part of music preparation.   We include a “science of singing” component in our camps, too.

Placement audition periods occur three times per year, in January, May and August/September, and camps are held in June.  There are many opportunities to hear the girls in concert August through June – visit our website (www.girlschoir.com) to learn about upcoming performances and events!

Services

CAMPS

CAMP I:  JUNE 11-15

This session is open to singers age 8-16, beginner to advanced.  It will be held 9-5 daily in the Parish Hall of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, at 2008 Justin Lane.  Cost is $325 per child for girls not already enrolled in Austin Girls’ Choir.  No audition is required, but a brief placement session will occur at the start of camp so as to include girls in skill-appropriate groups.  The music menu ranges from Lorde to light classics!  Instruction includes vocal skills, note reading, basic harmony and fun songs with simple choreography.  Guest artists will highlight various types of singing styles.  Other camp activities will include stage presentation, art projects, and a few surprises!  An end-of-camp concert at 5 p.m. on June 15 lets the girls proudly share their accomplishments with friends and family.  35 places are available and will be filled as registration forms and payments are received.

CAMP II:  JUNE 18-22

This more challenging session is for highly advanced singers age 10-17, and runs 9-5 daily.  We’ll rehearse  at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 2200 Justin Lane, and do run-out performances around town on the last two days of camp.  Cost is $325 per child for girls not already enrolled in Austin Girls’ Choir.  An audition is required for any girl from outside the Choir wishing to participate in this challenging camp; the pace is rapid and expectations of each chorister are high.  This session functions primarily as tour preparation for the group touring June 24-July 2, so tour music selections will be emphasized.  (Potential add-ons for tour will need to enroll in AGC by June 1.)   Camp ends with a 5:30 p.m. concert on June 22.  We have 10 spaces available for girls not already enrolled in AGC for this session.

Lunch and afternoon snack are provided at both camps!  We welcome girls to audition to join Austin Girls’ Choir on the last day of each camp.  A 20% camp tuition discount is available to groups of 4 or more from any one school.  Registration forms are available at http://www.girlschoir.com/summer-camps/  – or call 512-453-0884 for more information.  We look forward to another fun and inspiring pair of sessions!

YEAR-ROUND CHOIR

Many girls enter as beginners, but rapidly learn to sing in three- and four-part harmony.  They share a strong love for music and music-making, and delight in challenging repertoire ranging from jazz, swing and folksongs to madrigals and classical works.   Come show us what you already do well, we’ll figure out what section of the group best meets your needs, and get you started right away!   

Junior Choir (age 8-14) meets Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 2200 Justin Lane. In addition to learning a wide range of songs and styles, the girls also receive training in ear and vocal skills and basic music theory.  Beginners meet 6:15-7:30 p.m., intermediates 6:15-8:15 with small-group instruction for the first half hour.  Advanced singers rehearse 6:45-8:15; some practice with both the Junior and Senior groups.  From June through mid-August, we operate on a modified schedule to accommodate camps, tour and vacations.

The Senior Ensemble, for advanced singers age 13-18, meets Sunday afternoons 2-3:30 p.m. at the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 100 E. 27th Street.  Our focus in this group is on learning and performing a sizable repertoire that spans many genres.  Participants must be strong music readers and reliable in attendance.  We move some of our June and July rehearsals to accommodate tour prep and vacations.

History

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