East Tennessee Children's Choir

Under the direction of Jane D. Morison, the East Tennessee Children's Choir is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization chartered in the state of Tennessee. Its purpose is to provide exceptionally talented fourth through seventh-grade children an opportunity to experience a choral repertoire, which includes music of the masters, while also enriching their lives with music representing the heritage of the Appalachian region in which they live.

ETCC, numbering approximately 65 members annually, consists of children from at least 12 different communities in the Mountain Empire, representing more than 30 schools, private, public and home. It is open to all ethnic and racial cultures, as well as children who are economically, physically and/or mentally challenged. A scholarship program is available for disadvantaged children.

The goals of the East Tennessee Children's Choir are to:

• Give vocally talented children an unforgettable, exemplary choral experience.
• Implant a solid foundation in music and proper singing techniques.
• Supply an experience in non-competitive team behavior that calls for the best in each of them.
• Promote musical leadership by these children for schools, churches and other organizations in our area.
• Enhance the Mountain Empire's appreciation of children's fine choral literature.
• Encourage these young people to continue lifelong participation in the art

What We Do

The choir performs at least four public concerts annually plus a "mini-tour" of area schools in the spring. Performances have been held at the Paramount Center for the Arts and First Presbyterian Church in Bristol, TN; First Presbyterian Church, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and Broad Street United Methodist Church in Kingsport, Tenn.; Seeger Chapel at Milligan College; Central Baptist Church, First Methodist Church and St. John's Lutheran Church in Johnson City, Tenn., Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church and the Martha Washington Inn in Abingdon; and the Jonesborough Visitors Center. In addition to its regular schedule of concerts, the choir has been a featured performing group with the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra and Symphony of the Mountains, with the Girls' Choir from Rybinsk, Russia, and has provided entertainment for numerous civic and cultural organizations in the Mountain Empire. The ETCC has received numerous invitations to sing for the Biltmore Estate's Christmas Candlelight Tours.

ETCC continues to expand its horizons and outreach through new musical adventures, including choral workshop for area music educators, appearing as the main performing group in the premiere of Daniel Kingman's "Appalachian Harmony," performing in joint concerts with Tom Hazelton and Ron Rhode, both nationally renowned theater organists, and with Fire in the Kitchen, a popular Celtic music trio, and premiering musical works especially commissioned for this group.

Upcoming Auditions Information

Auditions for the East Tennessee Children's Choir will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Monday, May 19, at Central Baptist Church, Roan Street, Johnson City. The ETCC, a treble choir, is open to rising fourth- through seventh-graders. No preparation for the audition, which will take about 30 minutes, is necessary. Rehearsals for the ETCC are held from 4 to 5:45 p.m., on Mondays throughout the school year, beginning Aug. 27.