East Tennessee Children's Choir

Highland Youth Ensemble

Choristers

General Info for East Tennessee Children's Choir

East Tennessee Children's Choir auditions for 4th-7th graders in the Tri-Cities area: Monday, May 19, 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Central Baptist Church, Roan Street, Johnson City, opposite the JC Public Library, with the possibility of auditioning later by writing director@meccacademy.org or calling 423-914-9082.

Rehearsals

The choir meets every Monday from 4 to 5:45 p.m. during the school year with these exceptions:

1. Labor Day
2. Mondays in December following the winter concerts.
3. Mondays in May following spring concerts and mini-tour.
4. In the event of inclement weather and then only if the public schools in Johnson City are closed for the day due to weather. (If schools in the area are on a snow schedule, the choir will meet.).

Note: No breaks are taken during spring vacations or any other holidays. Choir members are expected to be present unless out of town.

Rehearsal Routine

PROMPTNESS IS ESSENTIAL. Many schools are willing for the children to be picked up a few minutes prior to regular dismissal time so that they can arrive by 4 p.m. Also, parents are requested to pick up their children promptly at 5:45 p.m.

After a long day at school, it is helpful if the children have a healthy snack and are excused before rehearsal time. No snacks are allowed in the rehearsal building.

Choir members are expected to be on their best behavior at all times, thus requiring no need for disciplinary measures. If a child has a problem, the director will discuss it with the individual, and will contact the parent only if the problem persists.

Choir members also are expected to be helpful upon arrival at the rehearsal hall, assisting the director with room and music readiness.

There will be a short activity break during the rehearsal, and members will be excused in case of emergencies. Because rehearsal time is most valuable, there will be no scheduled bathroom break.

Attendance Policy

1. Two excused absences are allowed for illness per semester.
2. One excused absence is allowed for conflict with schedule per semester.
3. Absence from mandatory and dress rehearsals can result in the child not participating in the concerts.
4. Attendance at ALL concerts is mandatory.
5. More than two excused absences OR one unexcused absence may result in the child being asked to withdraw from the group.
6. Absence from a concert constitutes an unexcused absence. Please note that an unexcused absence CAN result is dismissal from the group.

EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY WILL BE GRANTED IN RARE CASES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DIRECTOR. ABSENCES MUST BE DISCUSSED WITH THE DIRECTOR IN ADVANCE OF EVENT.

Uniform Requirements

For concerts:
1. Shirts -- White, long-sleeved oxford cloth shirts with button down collars. Shirts should be buttoned at the neck.
2. Pants -- For girls and boys: Black long pants
3. Shoes -- Black dress shoes with low heels.
4. Socks -- Plain black socks for boys or girls, or black hose for girls.
5. Black or turquoise vests (to be decided soon).

NO BOWS OR HAIR RIBBONS OTHER THAN BLACK OR TURQUOISE.

For school tours:
ETCC polo shirts, khaki pants and sneakers (no shorts, please).
Polo shirts with ETCC logo are available for members to purchase.

Tuition

Tuition is $220 per year, payable in September or in two equal installments in September and January. There is a 10 percent discount in fees if there is more than one family member in the choir. There is a late fee of $25 if tuition is not paid by the end of September and again at the end of January.

For the $220 yearly tuition, your child will receive:
• Nearly two hours of weekly musical instruction for approximately 30 weeks from a professional and highly-regarded teacher, Jane D. Morison.
• The opportunity to perform for diverse audiences throughout northeast Tennessee, southwest Virginia and western North Carolina, with occasional opportunities to attend festivals.
• Access to the best choral literature written for children's and treble choirs.
• An education in classical, sacred, contemporary and folk choral music and the cultures that created that music.
• The chance to develop friendships with children who share your child's interest in music and performing.
• Self-confidence in his or her ability to sing and perform.
• A limited number of scholarships are available, given at the discretion of the board of directors.

Anna Love Scholarship

The Mountain Empire Children's Choral Academy board of directors has established a scholarship fund to honor Anna Elizabeth Love, a former member of ETCC and beloved friend in whose loving memory we offer a scholarship to a deserving choir member who exhibits the love of music which she displayed.

The scholarship of $110 will be awarded each year to a worthy student or students who meet eligibility requirements of ETCC and the guidelines of the scholarship. Applicants for the award should have been members for one years and may apply by writing a letter to the board of directors. The scholarship is awarded by the board of directors and the artistic director. The scholarship is designed primarily to recognize youngsters who show the same qualities of commitment, enthusiasm and love for music that Anna displayed. Applications are accepted beginning in September.

If you wish to contribute to the fund, please make checks, designated "Anna Love Scholarship Fund," payable to: Mountain Empire Children's Choral Academy.

Parental Involvement

Parents are vital to the success of the East Tennessee Children's Choir. Their most important duty is to have their child at every rehearsal and scheduled performance. However, parents may also offer their assistance by volunteering to serve on one or more of the following committees:

Concerts -- Responsibilities: check roll, oversee donation baskets, hand out programs, check formal attire on all choir members, escort children to and from stage, deliver all donations to Administrative Assistant.

Rehearsals -- Be available Monday afternoons, check roll, do errands.

Programs/ads -- Compile ad packets, answer parents' questions about ad sales, take receipt of ads and ad payments, put together biographies of directors, accompanists, others as needed, write out performance program, get program to printer, pick up programs from printer and deliver to concerts venues.

Librarian -- Insert music in folders in August and January. File music in cabinets in December and May.

Mini-tour -- Enlist sufficient number of drivers and chaperones for all choir members attending, select lunch location, take lunch order and order lunch, solicit suggestions from parents and community for concert tour stops.

Retreats -- Bring drinks, plates and napkins; lead ice-breaker activities before rehearsal, during lunch and breaks; check roll; make new name tags; assist with registration paperwork.

Internal communications -- Work with director to prepare and distribute newsletters on an as-needed basis; prepare and distribute permission slips for mini-tour.

External communications -- Contact newspapers, TV and radio stations about ETCC's performances. Act as go-between for Beth and Jane and media to set up interviews about ETCC and/or its performances. E-mail capability a plus.

Auditions -- Be available in May, August and January to help with auditions; prepare and distribute registration paperwork; hand out handbooks; answer new parents' questions.

Web site -- Help to keep the website up-to-date with timely information.

Uniforms -- Ask for parental input on formal attire, order and maintain formal attire, order polo shirts each fall, sell polo shirts at beginning of each semester and as needed.

Awards

The following certificates and awards are given at the end of the year:

Box -- Six years of membership
Pin -- Five years of membership
Engraved plaque -- Four years of membership
Engraved medal -- Three years of membership
Pin -- Two years of membership
Certificate -- One year of membership
Pin -- Perfect attendance for the year
Certificate -- Outstanding attendance for the year

Background and Support

The corporate charter for the East Tennessee Children's Choir Inc. was granted by the state of Tennessee on April 24, 1987. Dr. Carl D. King, professor of vocal music education at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, was the primary organizer of the choir. Dr. King served as volunteer director and chairman of the board of directors for four years. Since its inception, the East Tennessee Children's Choir has provided vocal music development opportunities to more than 1,500 children. Support for ETCC is provided through tuition fees, individual and corporate donations, the sale of concert program advertisements, the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Johnson City Area Arts Council.

 

General Info Highlands Youth Ensemble

Highlands Youth Ensemble auditions for 8th-12th graders in the Tri-Cities area: Monday, Aug. 20, 7:30-9:00 p.m. at Wheeler United Methodist Church, Rt. 75, Blountville, opposite the airport and Northeast State, with the possibility of auditioning later by writing director@meccacademy.org or calling 276-628-9967.

 

Rehearsals

The choir meets every Monday from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. during the school year with these exceptions:

1. Labor Day                                                                                   
2. Mondays in December following the winter concerts/recording session/party.
3. Mondays in May following spring concerts. recording sessions/party.
4. In the event of inclement weather and then only if the public schools in Johnson City are closed for the day due to weather.  (If schools in the area are on a snow schedule, the choir will meet.)

Note: No breaks are taken during spring vacations or any other holidays. Choir members are expected to be present unless out of town.

Rehearsal Routine

PROMPTNESS IS ESSENTIAL.  Consider the starting time to be 7:29 p.m.  Singers who wish to socialize or assist the director with set up may arrive at 7:15 p.m.. 

No snacks are allowed in the rehearsal building.

Choir members are expected to be on their best behavior at all times, thus requiring no need for disciplinary measures. If a youth has a problem, the director will discuss it with the individual, and will contact the parent only if the problem persists.

Choir members also are expected to be helpful upon arrival at the rehearsal hall, assisting the director with room and music readiness.

Because rehearsal time is most valuable, there will be no scheduled bathroom break.

Attendance Policy

1. Two excused absences are allowed for illness per semester.
2. One excused absence is allowed for conflict with schedule per semester.
3. Absence from mandatory and dress rehearsals can result in the youth not participating in the concerts.
4. Attendance at ALL concerts is mandatory.
5. More than two excused absences OR one unexcused absence may result in the youth being asked to withdraw from the group.
6. Absence from a concert constitutes an unexcused absence. Please note that an unexcused absence CAN result is dismissal from the group.

EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY WILL BE GRANTED IN RARE CASES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DIRECTOR. ABSENCES MUST BE DISCUSSED WITH THE DIRECTOR IN ADVANCE OF EVENT.

Uniform Requirements

Formal concerts:
1. Shirts -- Boys --White, long-sleeved oxford cloth shirts with button down collars or tuxedo shirts. Shirts should be neatly pressed for all concerts.
2. Pants --Boys -- Black long pants, tuxedo pants or black slacks.                           
3. Vests --Boys -- Sleeveless, black vests.
4. Dresses -- Girls -- Short, sleeved black dresses.
5. Shoes and Socks -- Boys- Black dress shoes and plain black socks. Girls--flesh tone hoses.
6. Hair and Ornaments -- No bows or hair ribbons other than black may be worn.  All singers will be expected to have their hair securely off their faces.

Casual Concerts:
HYE Black Polo shirts, full length khaki pants, socks and sneakers (no shorts, please).
Polo shirts with HYE logo are available for members to purchase.

Music

All music will be ordered by MECCA and then purchased by each singers (so that singers may keep their music), and kept neatly in a black notebook purchases by the singer.  HYE singers are expected to keep their notebooks, music, and pencils organized at all times.

Tuition

Tuition is $220 per year, payable in September or in two equal installments in September and January. There is a 10 percent discount in fees if there is more than one family member in the choir.  There is a late fee of $25 if tuition is not paid by the end of September and again at the end of January.

For the $220 yearly tuition,  youth will receive:
• One and 1/2  hours of weekly musical instruction for approximately 30 weeks from a professional and nationally recognized teacher, Beth P. McCoy.
• The opportunity to perform for diverse audiences throughout northeast Tennessee, southwest Virginia and western North Carolina, with additional opportunities to tour, enter festivals and compete on occasion.
• Access to some of the best choral literature written, with an emphasis on a cappella music.
• An education in classical, sacred, contemporary and folk choral music and the cultures that created that music.
• The chance to develop friendships with youth who share your singer's interest in music and performing.
• Self-confidence in his or her ability to sing and perform.
• A limited number of scholarships are available, given at the discretion of the board of directors.

HYE Alumni Scholarship

The Mountain Empire Children's Choral Academy board of directors has established a scholarship fund for a worthy member of the HYE and the alumni of HYE, because they realize the benefit of vocal training they have received and the college scholarships they are reaping as a result of singing in the HYE, have begun funding it.

The scholarship of $110 will be awarded each year to a worthy student who meets eligibility requirements of HYE and the guidelines of the scholarship.  Applicants for the award should have been members for one years and may apply by writing a letter to the board of directors.  The scholarship is awarded by the board of directors and the artistic director. The scholarship is designed primarily to recognize  youth who show the same qualities of commitment, enthusiasm and love for music that our graduates displayed. Applications are accepted beginning in September.

If you wish to contribute to the fund, please make checks, designated "HYE Alumni Scholarship Fund,"  payable to: Mountain Empire Children's Choral Academy.  You do not need to be alumni of the HYE to give to this scholarship fund.

Parental Involvement

Parents are vital to the success of the Highlands Youth Ensemble. Their most important duty is to have their youth at every rehearsal and scheduled performance. However, parents may also offer their assistance by volunteering to serve on one or more of the following committees:

Concerts -- Responsibilities: check roll, oversee donation baskets, hand out programs, check formal attire on all choir members, deliver all donations to Administrative Assistant.

Programs/ads -- Distribute ad packets, answer parents' questions about ad sales, take receipt of ads and ad payments.

Retreats -- Bring drinks, plates and napkins; organize food.

Internal communications -- Work with director to repare and distribute newsletter on an as-needed basis.

External communications -- Contact newspapers, TV and radio stations  about HYE  performances. Act as go-between for director and media to set up interviews about HYE and/or its performances.  E-mail capability a plus.

Auditions -- Be available in May, August and January to help with auditions; hand out handbooks; answer new parents' questions.

Web site -- Help to keep the website up-to-date with timely information.

Uniforms -- Ask for parental input on formal attire, order and maintain formal attire, order Polo shirts each fall, sell Polo shirts at beginning of each semester and as needed.

Awards

The following certificates and awards are given at the end of the year:

Pin -- Five years of membership
Engraved plaque -- Four years of membership
Engraved medal -- Three years of membership
Pin -- Two years of membership
Certificate -- One year of membership

Background and Support

The corporate charter for the East Tennessee Children's Choir, Inc., was granted by the state of Tennessee on April 24, 1987.  Dr. Carl D. King, professor of vocal music education at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, was the primary organizer of the choir.  Dr. King served as volunteer director and chairman of the board of directors for four years.  Since its inception, the East Tennessee Children's Choir has provided vocal music development opportunities to more than 1,500 children.  The Highlands Youth Ensemble was formed because the graduates of the ETCC wanted to continue their vocal and choral development throughout high school.  The Mountain Empire Children's Choral Academy became the umbrella organization which governs both choirs and develops additional programs for children and youth who love to sing.

Support for ETCC and HYE is provided through tuition fees, individual and corporate donations, the sale of concert program advertisements, the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Johnson City Area Arts Council.