Audition - Be Part of the ECC

Auditions are held twice a year (late spring and early fall) and the membership year covers a full performance season (August through May). All Children are welcome to audition and become involved regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, sexual preference, affiliation, limitations or challenges.

Children entering 2nd through 4th grades in the fall school year may audition for PRELUDE in the late spring or early fall.

Children entering 4th through 8th grades in the fall school year may audition for EVERGREEN CHILDREN’S CHORALE in the late spring or early fall.

Children entering 4th grade can try out for either group. Current Prelude members must still audition for membership in the ECC. Current ECC members remain in the ECC through their eighth grade of school without any further auditions. However, if a member chooses to stop out for a semester or more, they must re-audition to rejoin the group.

2011 - 2012 Audition Dates

Monday, May 16, 2011 for ECC and Prelude
Thursday, August 25, 2011 for ECC
Monday, August 29, 2011 for Prelude

All auditions are held at Evergreen Lutheran Church, 5980 Hwy 73, in Evergreen.
Call Lynn at 303-674-9004 to sign up for an audition spot for ECC.
Call Karen at 720-935-9494 to sign up for an audition time for Prelude.

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What to Know for Auditions

For ECC Auditions: A simple audition is designed to check for voice range, ability to follow instructions, and listening skills. Children should be prepared to sing “America the Beautiful” in the key of C. The audition will also consist of solo and group singing, as well as improvisational and choreographed movement taught at the time of the audition. Children should wear comfortable clothing and shoes/socks to dance in.

O beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

For Prelude Auditions: A simple audition is designed to check for voice range, ability to follow instructions, and listening skills. You will need to be prepared to sing “Home on the Range”in the key of G. The audition will also consist of solo and group singing, as well as improvisational and choreographed movement taught at the time of the audition. Children should wear comfortable clothing and shoes/socks to dance in.

Oh, give me a home, where the buffalo roam,
Where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day.

Home, home on the range,
Where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost? There is a one-time new member fee of $50 for ECC and $25 for Prelude. Then, each semester the membership fee is $225 for ECC and $142.50 for Prelude. This is also a refundable uniform/music deposit required at the beginning of membership. Financial assistance is available through the ECC Angel fund. A second child discount is also available.

When are rehearsals? ECC rehearsals are Tuesday nights after school from 4:15 - 6:15 pm at Evergreen Lutheran Church. Prelude rehearsals are on Monday nights after school from 4:30-5:45pm. Additional and/or extended rehearsals are added as show-time draws near. Nightly rehearsals begin within 2 weeks of the show opening.

How old does my child need to be to audition? Eligibility for ECC or Prelude are based on the school grade (or equivalent) a child is entering the upcoming fall. Children entering 2nd through 4th grades in the fall school year may audition for PRELUDE in the late spring or early fall. Children entering 4th through 8th grades in the fall school year may audition for EVERGREEN CHILDREN’S CHORALE in the late spring or early fall. Children entering 4th grade can try out for either group.

Does my child need to have previous singing or dancing experience or training? No. We welcome any child to audition who has a song in their heart and loves to sing and make music in any way, shape, or form.

How am I notified of the audition results? The Business Manager will call each child/parent as soon as the audition committee makes their selection. Please be sure to provide a phone number where you can be easily reached within 24 hours of the audition.

What if my child isn’t accepted into ECC or Prelude? Please reassure your child that it is not a reflection on them as a person or their talent. We have a limited number of openings into both organizations and sometimes we have to only allow a certain number of children based on a number of different criteria. Encourage your child to try again and to keep singing!

What if there is a snow day? The ECC and Prelude follow the Jefferson County Public School schedule. If school is cancelled for snow or holiday in Jefferson County, then the rehearsal is cancelled.

What is the absence policy? In order to retain the higher caliber that we continue to uphold year-after-year, we have a absence policy designed to assure that the choir is properly prepared for its performances. Members are allowed 3 absences for the semester from “blue/non-mandatory” rehearsals. Missing more than 50% of a rehearsal counts as an absence. However, members are NOT allowed to miss any “red/mandatory” rehearsal UNLESS prior approval is obtained through the Board of Directors. More specific details regarding the ECC and Prelude absence policy is provided to each member at the beginning of the performance season.

How do I know about all the rules and policies? Each member is given a “Member Handbook” at the beginning of each semester. Everything you need to know about ECC and Prelude is outlined in this booklet.

How does my child get a part in the spring show? Once a child is in ECC or Prelude, they are in for the full year. There are, however, separate auditions for the speaking parts or singing solos at the beginning of the second semester (January). Members can try-out for a solo, but this is not required. If a member chooses not to audition for a solo, they will be in the main chorus. ALL current members are eligible to audition for a solo part regardless of their age, gender, grade or number of years in the group.

Is there a uniform? Yes, both Prelude and ECC wear a designated uniform for the winter concert. A refundable uniform fee is assessed at the beginning of the child’s membership into the organization, but returned at the end of their time in ECC or Prelude. Uniforms are loaned to the member and expected to be returned after each concert. A green ECC t-shirt is given to each new ECC member upon membership and is theirs to keep. These shirts are periodically used for off-site special performances.

When are performances? A full-year performance schedule is given to members once accepted into ECC or Prelude. The schedule remains relatively the same, year-to-year with a winter concert in November for Prelude and December for ECC and a spring show in April for Prelude and May for ECC.

What are the memorization expectations? All songs and dance routines must be memorized and learned prior to performances. Staff will work closely with children to help them learn their music.

What if I have other questions? The ECC and Prelude staff are readily available to answer any of your questions via email or phone call. Don’t hesitate to ask questions - it’s how we all learn and grow!

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