Below are lists of skills and qualities that many singers possess at the time they enter Sisters’ Voices ensembles. A love of singing, or a love of music and a deep desire to try singing, along with an ability to contribute positively to a group, is essential for every ensemble experience and every camp experience. Also expected are desire to sing in ensemble with others and willingness/ability to take direction.
While many singers come with already-strong musical skills, these abilities, including matching pitch and carrying a tune, can be learned, and we experience a great deal of growth in Sisters’ Voices singers’ vocal and aural abilities.
SV-One
Kindergarteners & 1st graders
No audition required. Six-week (half semester) commitment
new singers admitted in spring and summer for session beginning in September
new singers admitted in winter for semester beginning in late January
- love of singing, interest in music
- desire to sing with a group
- willingness to take direction
- ability to participate positively in a group
SV-Two
2nd & 3rd graders
No audition required. Semester commitment
new singers admitted in spring and summer for semester beginning in September
new singers admitted in winter for semester beginning in late January
- love of singing, interest in music
- desire to sing with a group
- willingness to take direction
- ability to participate positively in a group
- ability, perhaps inconsistently, to match pitch, echoing another person
- ability, perhaps inconsistently, to sing along accurately with another person singing a known melody
- ability, perhaps inconsistently, to sing a song recognizably without accompaniment
SV-Three
4th – 5th graders
No auditioned required. Full year commitment. Option to participate in skills class in addition to full ensemble.
new singers admitted in spring and summer for the season beginning in September
- love of singing
- desire to sing with a group
- willingness to take direction
- ability to participate positively in a group
- ability to consistently match pitch
- ability to sing along accurately with another person singing a known melody
- ability to consistently sing a melody recognizably without accompaniment, though pitch and intonation may be inconsistent
- ability to use head voice
- openness to new kinds of music, new forms of expression, and new experiences
SV-Four
6th – 8th graders
No auditioned required. Full year commitment. Saturday ensemble plus skills class.
new singers admitted in spring and summer for the season beginning in September
- demonstrated consistent rehearsal presence and participation
- openness to new kinds of music, new forms of expression, and new experiences
- ability to consistently sing a simple melody with accurate intonation and strength/sturdiness (not necessarily loudness)
- ability to read pentatonic melodies in major keys
- ability to hold one’s own part in a canon: e.g. “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”; “We Merry Minstrels”; “Rise Up O Flame”, “Kookaburra”; etc.
- independence around rehearsal behaviors, including sitting/standing with proper physical alignment, and mental and physical focus, when rehearsing
- consistent use of healthy and flexible vocal production throughout the singer’s range
- earnestness, enthusiasm, and positive outlook about our work together, participation always, consistently supportive attitude toward other singers in words, singing, and actions.
SV-Five
9th – 12th graders
No auditioned required. Full year commitment. Saturday ensemble or Saturday ensemble plus skills class.
new singers admitted in spring and summer for the season beginning in September
- consistent rehearsal presence and participation
- openness to new kinds of music, new forms of expression, and new experiences
- ability to consistently sing a simple melody with accurate intonation and strength/sturdiness (not necessarily loudness)
- ability to read melodies accurately in major and minor keys
- ability to hold one’s own part in a canon and on harmony parts
- independence around rehearsal behaviors, including sitting/standing with proper physical alignment, and mental and physical focus, when rehearsing
- consistent use of healthy and flexible vocal production throughout the singer’s range
- earnestness, enthusiasm, and positive outlook about our work together, participation always, consistently supportive attitude toward other singers in words, singing, and actions.
