Vocal placements for the 2022-2023 season will be held following the Spring Concert on May 18th from 5PM - 8PM: Barrington United Methodist Church 98 IL-62 (Algonquin Rd)

For general information and what to expect, email Becky Brichta.

Vocal Placement Process:

BCC holds vocal placements twice per year for new choristers in typically Grades 2-12. It's an opportunity for our directors to meet your child, hear them sing, and identify how well they "match pitch" (sing in tune). We ask each singer to prepare a 30-60 second song that they love to sing. (This can be something they’ve sung in any choir or musical previously, a solo from voice lessons, or a song from the radio that they love.) If they have trouble choosing a song, they may sing either "Happy Birthday" or "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." No placement appointment will take longer than 5-10 minutes. The process should be fun and stress-free! 

Singers wishing to join our Prelude Choir and Chamber Choir will be accepted based on their vocal placement, at the discretion of our directors. Be assured, the directors make the process as stress-free as possible for everyone. Every student will receive an email after all placements are complete. At that time, we will let you know the placement results. 

2021-2022 ensembles: 

Grace Notes (Typically Grades 2-4) 

New singers in Grades 2-4 will automatically be accepted. No children will be turned away from joining this entry-level ensemble for singers of all musical ability levels. This ensemble is intended to give beginning choristers a chance to work on basic singing skills and have performance opportunities. The pedagogy of this ensemble will focus on quality vocal production, unison, simple part-singing, and overall musicianship training including ROTE learning, an introduction to solfege, and basic music reading skills. 

Prelude (Typically Grades 4-6) 

Singers accepted into Prelude Choir demonstrate a strong ability to match pitch; they are confident in their singing and produce a more mature vocal sound. This intermediate ensemble will continue to strengthen each singers’ performance stamina and musicianship. The pedagogy of this ensemble will focus intensely on music reading and vocal performance, through the rehearsal and performance of more challenging choral repertoire. Singers will be singing in 2 and 3 vocal parts and advance their aural skills through a continuation of ROTE learning as well as a more rigorous use of solfege. 

Chamber Choir (Typically grades 6-12) 

Our primary performance ensemble, singers accepted into Chamber Choir demonstrate a passion and dedication for the performance of choral music. At this level, our singers are expected to dedicate themselves to their BCC repertoire outside of our normal rehearsal hours. They must strive to be positive contributing members of the ensemble, by continuing to strengthen their music reading abilities and the power and beauty of their vocal sound. The pedagogy of this ensemble will focus on professional-level choral rehearsal techniques combining ROTE learning, solfege singing, and music reading for the purpose of learning, memorizing and performing advanced choral repertoire. 

Acapella 

This select ensemble comprises singers who have been enrolled in Chamber Choir for at least one year. The only exception to that rule is tenors or basses with changed voices who are interested (and qualified) to sing with BCC! Auditions for this ensemble can take place for currently enrolled BCC singers at their Spring placement appointment. In some instances, video auditions will be accepted, due to the fact that many folks travel during the Summer months.