Palatine Children's Chorus Hosts Welcome Nights For New Singers
Palatine Children's Chorus has been making music in the Palatine Community since 1987 and the chorus is open to all children ages 4 to 18 who love to sing. Chorus staff members are hosting free Welcome Nights on Monday, August 19 and Wednesday, August 21 at 6:30pm at Palatine Park District's Community Center, Room 1C, 250 E. Wood Street, Palatine. Interested singers are invited to attend one of these informational nights with a parent to learn about PCC, meet the staff, and have a mini voice lesson. All children who attend a Welcome Night will be placed in a choir that will allow them to be successful and to develop as a musician.
PCC parent Kathleen Larson describes the chorus as "a fantastic group to be a part of that helps members build confidence, learn to be inclusive, and grow musically. It helps young individuals of all talent levels to grow musically through song. It also develops each singer as an individual and helps to build relationships with other singers while teaching them to work together to create beautiful pieces of music. We are so happy that we joined the group and look forward to what the future brings."
PCC consists of six choirs. Younger singers are invited to enroll directly into one of two programs. Sing With Me for ages 4 to 5 is a musical experience for children who love to sing that includes lots of movement and creative play. Sing With Me is held on Thursdays from 12:30-1:15pm and the fall session begins September 12. In Do Re Mi Choir children ages 6-7 learn about music through a variety of activities that will prepare them for the next level of PCC. Do Re Mi is held on Wednesdays from 4:45-5:30pm with the fall session starting on August 28. Registration for these programs can be completed at palatineparks.org.
Children ages 8 and older are accepted into one of the four additional choirs after attending a welcome night to ensure proper placement. Treble Choir singers will develop their unison and simple two-part singing while learning basic music theory and developing their Kodaly skills for sight singing. In Intermezzo Choir, singers will continue to study music theory and develop their ability to sing more complex two-part harmony. Singers who demonstrate their maturity, commitment, extended musical knowledge, and vocal development are ready to move into Concert Choir, PCC's touring choir. Members of Honors Choir are part of Concert Choir but also learn their own challenging repertoire and perform throughout the Chicago area. Fall rehearsals for these four choirs begin the week of August 26.
In addition to a variety of performance opportunities including the annual tree light ceremony in downtown Palatine and performances at historic Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, PCC creates a true family atmosphere with a variety of additional, optional activities. Children receive special recognition on their birthdays during rehearsals and a family karaoke night is an annual favorite with all family members joining in the musical fun. A holiday pizza night is held each year, the chorus takes trips around the world and the country every other year, and the members also partake in several service opportunities through the Kiwanis Club of Palatine and Feed My Starving Children. According to Lori Lewis, a PCC parent, "PCC has allowed Mia to gain an excellent music education in a challenging yet accepting environment. Her traveling experiences to Ireland and Disney World have allowed her to visit and perform in many different arenas, from cathedrals to small villages. She has garnered confidence and learned resiliency from these performances. Most of all she has learned that music truly can unite people from all walks of life."
Under the direction of Artistic Director Stevee Bellas, Palatine Children's Chorus has a wonderful staff that all work harmoniously to nurture the children in the program. Stevee sang with PCC for ten years before graduating high school, and is excited to be back, now as Artistic Director. Stevee earned her Bachelor's Degree in Choral Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she sang with the Women's Glee Club and Chamber Singers. She now teaches choir, show choir, and beginning guitar at Mundelein High School. She is always impressed with the skill level and dedication of all of the singers. Additional staff members include Assistant Artistic Director Crystalyn Snow Boyer, Sing With Me Director Kathy Sbarboro, Managing Director Melissa Schlesinger, Tour & Finance Manager Sue Love, and Principal Accompanist Benjamin Valle.
PCC also receives abundant support from the Palatine Children's Chorus Association (PCCA), a choral arts volunteer organization through which parents, friends, PCC alumni, and community members can support PCC. PCCA coordinates volunteer work, organizes fund raising activities, and provides other supportive activities for PCC including the purchase of needed materials and the administration of a scholarship fund.
For more information about Palatine Children's Chorus or the August Welcome Nights, visit pccsings.org, call 847.496.6281, or email pccsings@palatineparks.org.
Palatine Children's Chorus is a program of Palatine Park District. The mission of PCC is to nurture and inspire student achievement through quality music education and the pursuit of artistic excellence in choral music performance.
The mission of Palatine Park District is to provide a variety of safe, enjoyable, and affordable parks and recreation facilities and activities that will enhance the quality of life by promoting good health and well-being for all residents and visitors while being fiscally responsible stewards of community assets and tax dollars.