Home > Get Involved > Choir School

AUDITIONS

Iowa Youth Chorus Choir School offers four levels of choirs in three locations to accommodate students of all abilities throughout Central Iowa. 

Students ages 8-18 who are interested in becoming part of the Choir School can audition during one of two audition periods: May-September; December-January.

Children who are between the ages of 6 and 7 can join the non-auditioned Primary Choir.

To schedule an audition, you may:

Call 515-262-8312 ext. 10 

 

What to expect at the audition:

When you arrive at the audition site, you will meet our friendly conductor who will lead you through the process of auditioning. The conductor will ask you to sing one verse of any simple song from memory, unaccompanied. Really, any song you are comfortable singing is fine. Do you know "Happy Birthday?" How about "America the Beautiful?"

Once you have completed your portion of the audition, the conductor will guide you through a series of melody and rhythm exercises. And that's it! The entire audition takes about 15 minutes from start to finish. The conductor will assess students throughout the audition and are able to give each student his/her choir placement directly after the audition.

Choir Levels: 

   Primary  - Non-auditioned, takes part in annual concerts

   Children's Chorus - Auditioned chorus, three rehearsal sites, unison and two-part   music, training sight-readers, annual concerts and community performances.

   Girl's and Boy's Chorus - Auditioned choirs for boys and girls separately. Students from Chorale participate with Girls and Boy's Chorus in two and three part music.

   Chorale - Auditioned chorus, top treble choir performs two to four part music of artistic significance, high profile performances and national tours.

   Youth Chorale - Auditioned chorus, top mixed choir, SATB arrangements of artistic significance, advanced sight-readers, high profile performances and international tours/competitions.

Rehearsal Locations:  We have 3 rehearsal location sites:

   Des Moines (Central)- The Temple for Performing Arts, 1011 Locust St.

   Urbandale (West) - Walnut Hills United Methodist Church, 12321 Hickman Rd. 

   Ankeny (North) - Neveln Center, 406 SW School St.

Rehearsal Schedule:

        CHOIR                                         DAY(S) and TIME(S) 

                                                                                  

Des Moines (Central)        

Youth Chorale    Tuesday, 7:00-9:00 p.m.                    

   Sunday, 3:30-6:00pm

 

Chorale

   

   Thursday, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

   Sunday, 1:30-3:30 p.m. (Boys/Girls)

Boy's Chorus

Girl's Chorus

   Thursday, 7:15-8:30 p.m.

    Thursday,  6:30-7:45 p.m.

Children's Chorus  

   Thursday, 5:15-6:30 p.m.

 

Urbandale (West)

Children's Chorus  

   Tuesday, 5:45-7:00 p.m.

 

Primary Choir  

   Tuesday, 4:45-5:30 p.m.

 


Ankeny (North)

Children's Chorus    Monday, 5:45-7:00 p.m.


Becoming A Member

After you have auditioned and are accepted into the Iowa Youth Chorus, we will send a packet of information home with your family. The information will include a schedule, registration forms and other important details about your membership in The Chorus. 

Fee Structure

Tuition: $35 - $121/month Depending on level of choir (8 payments)
Uniform Cost: $60 and up (depends on choir placement)
Activity Fee: Included with registration fee.
Registration Fee: $45 (non-refundable)
Tour Cost: Based on destination/length of tour (participation optional)
   
Tuition Scholarships: Available to families who demonstrate financial need.