Elgin Children's Chorus to hold auditions

The Elgin Children's Chorus is offering the special opportunity for young singers ages 7-16 to join the group mid year.

Auditions are from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4 and 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, at Elgin Community College Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive in Elgin.

Educators are emphatic about the positive role that choirs play in childhood education and development. They agree that choir participation can help students become valuable participants in groups by helping them develop stronger social skills, lead to better emotional expression and management, improve overall academic performance and help instill self-discipline and punctuality.

The Elgin Children's Chorus strives to provide the very best in music education to area young people. The music education program enables students to develop skills that facilitate success in adulthood such as listening, team-building, creative problem solving, focus, discipline and the ability to strive for personal excellence.

Membership is open to all area children with unchanged voices, ages 7-16, regardless of race, gender, religion or disability. The audition is designed to be a simple process that will put singers at ease. The ability to read music is not required.

To prepare for the audition, you may want to brush up on "My Country 'tis of Thee" and the round "Are You Sleeping?" To schedule an audition, visit elginchildrenschorus.org or call (847) 931-7464 (SING).