Information
Welcome to Sisters’ Voices!
Sisters’ Voices ensembles are made up of singers in kindergarten through high school. These ensembles are open to treble singers: girls, young women, and gender expansive youth.
Sisters’ Voices fosters positive thinking and encourages singers to make friends with each other. We are led by the values of Courage, Curiosity, and Connection, and we challenge each other to hold these values in mind as we work together and make decisions.
If you have any questions regarding ensembles, please contact Leandra Strope at leandra@sistersvoices.org. If you have any questions regarding tuition or how to register, please contact Jenny Walters at jenny@sistersvoices.org. In addition, click here if you would like to subscribe to our newsletter.
Click on one of the tabs below to access the registration for that ensemble.
Kindergarteners and First Graders
Thank you for your interest in Sisters’ Voices. Our SV-One ensemble is now full. In order to hold your space on the waitlist, we ask that you pay a deposit equivalent to the cost of one six-week session. We will do our best to accept your singer into our ensemble, with rehearsals beginning October 24. If for whatever reason we cannot find space for your singer, we will offer you a full refund. We will be in touch with you regarding your singer’s placement by early October. Please make sure the email addresses leandra@sistersvoices.org, jenny@sistersvoices.org, and info@sistersvoices.org will not be flagged as spam by your email system.
SV-One begins our curriculum with many songs and games. Singers begin learning to recognize rhythms, and work with solfege using Curwen handsigns. Singers may choose to join for a six week class, starting in September, November, January, or March, or for a full year. Performances are optional for this ensemble.
Please note: Kindergarteners must have turned five years old by the start of September.
REHEARSALS: Wednesdays, 4:15-5:15 (beginning in November with Session B; all singers who begin mid-year will enter this ensemble)
COST: We offer a sliding scale for all ensembles. For the waitlist deposit sliding scale, please see the table on the waitlist page.
Second and Third Graders
Thank you for your interest in Sisters’ Voices. Our SV-Two ensemble is now full. In order to hold your space on the waitlist, we ask that you pay a deposit equivalent to the cost of two months of tuition. We will do our best to accept your singer into our ensemble and will apply the deposit towards the remaining tuition. If for whatever reason we cannot find space for your singer, we will offer you a full refund. We will be in touch with you regarding your singer’s placement by early October. Please make sure the email addresses leandra@sistersvoices.org, jenny@sistersvoices.org, and info@sistersvoices.org will not be flagged as spam by your email system.
SV-Two continues with more complicated games and dances. Singers learn to navigate a simple choral score, reading simple rhythms and pitches. Singers participate in at least two performances during the year, singing pieces as an ensemble and with the tutti SV ensembles. Singers are challenged to develop strong rehearsal habits, make friends, and have fun making music together.
SV-Two can be either a full year commitment or a semester-long commitment. For the fall semester, singers rehearse once a week from September through mid-January. The spring semester will take place from mid-January through May. Each semester will culminate in a concert. Registration for the spring semester will open in November. Priority will be given to those who sang during the fall semester. We will then reach out to singers on the waitlist to fill any remaining slots.
REHEARSALS: Thursdays, 4:15 pm -5:15 pm
COST: We offer a sliding scale for all ensembles. For the waitlist deposit sliding scale, please see the table on the waitlist page.
Fourth and Fifth Graders
SV-Three singers begin singing canons, developing vocal independence along with increasing reading skills: rhythm, pitch, and score navigation. Singers typically are invited to participate in performances beyond the SV winter and spring concerts. SV-Three singers are encouraged to attend Skills Class in addition to the Full Ensemble. Skills Class focuses on musical concepts presented by the music the ensemble is preparing, increasing reading ability, and solo vocal work.
SV-Three is a full year commitment with rehearsals occurring from September through May. SV-Three singers may choose to participate in one or two rehearsals per week. All SV-Three singers will attend full ensemble rehearsals on Thursdays from 5:30 pm until 7:00 pm. If your singer would also like to participate in a skills class, the class will take place on Mondays from 4:15 pm until 5:15 pm. We encourage all singers to sign up for the twice a week experience in order to be exposed to more skill building and individualized attention in small groups.
Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Graders
SV-Four singers, Middle Schoolers, all participate in both Full Ensemble and Skills Classes. This ensemble works for strong vocal skills, increasing reading abilities using solfege and other tools, and experiments with more demanding and interesting music. Following Saturday rehearsal once or twice a month singers stay for a pizza dinner and Leadership Workshop, exploring topics of interest to the group.
SV-Four is a full year commitment and singers participate in two rehearsals a week from September through May. All SV-Four singers will attend rehearsals on Saturday afternoons from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm. Your singer will then be assigned to either Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 5:30 pm until 7:00 pm based on skill level and experience. Singers new to Sisters’ Voices will have a placement hearing for Skills Class placement.
Ninth through Twelfth Graders
SV-Five is a new program in 2023-2024 for high school singers, and we invite new singers from the community to join us! Singers will meet in Full Ensemble weekly. Experienced and advanced singers will be placed into Chamber Ensemble. Singers who are new to SV will be placed in Skills Class until they gain the skills needed in rehearsals. Prospective singers in SV-Five are asked to communicate with Leandra; she will want to set up a meeting with the singer and to hear them sing, either in person or via a video recording. You may email her at leandra@sistersvoices.org.
The Full Ensemble and the Chamber Ensemble are full year commitments, while the Skills Class is a month-by-month commitment. All SV-Five singers will participate in Full Ensemble rehearsals on Saturday afternoons from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm. Following Saturday rehearsal once or twice a month singers stay for a pizza dinner and Leadership Workshop, exploring topics of interest to the group.
The Chamber Ensemble will rehearse on Tuesdays from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. The Skills Class will meet either on Wednesdays from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm OR on Saturdays prior to the Full Ensemble rehearsal.
Tuition
Below you will find a chart based on ensemble and income level. The “Who Qualifies” section is to serve as a guideline only. We realize that there are different factors that each family faces. We ask that you approach this thoughtfully and be as generous as you can. The full cost is based on a rate of approximately $15.20/hour with 32 weeks of rehearsal.
All families will pay a non-refundable deposit equal to the first and last month’s tuition upon signing up. Depending on the ensemble, families may then choose to pay the remaining balance in full or to schedule monthly payments. (Please see the registration page for the ensemble to determine the payment schedule options for that particular ensemble.) If you choose pay in full, the remaining balance will be automatically drafted from your card on October 1st. If you choose to schedule monthly payments, your card will automatically be drafted on the first of the month from October through March. (This is only six payments as the other two monthly payments are paid in your deposit.)
A full scholarship option is also available. Please contact Jenny Walters at jenny@sistersvoices.org to request a full scholarship.
