Caldwell College to Offer Children’s Choir Program

Caldwell, NJ – June 28, 2011

Caldwell College Music Department is offering a new Children’s Choir Program for the Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 semesters. The educational program is open to children ages 8 to 14. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of music through choral study and performance.

Audition dates are Tuesday, August 2, and Thursday, September 8, 2011 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Children should come prepared to sing one verse of either “America” (My Country ‘tis of Thee), “America the Beautiful” or “Happy Birthday”. The audition assesses pitch matching and rhythmic and melodic reading skills. Auditions determine choir placement according to age, musical proficiency, and vocal development.

The Caldwell Children’s Choir consists of two choirs for unchanged voices. The Caldwell Choristers is open to children in grades 3 to 5, and the Caldwell Choral is open to children in grades 6 through 8. Participants will learn to read and appreciate music using excellent vocal technique, proper posture, and appropriate breathing methods. They will become skilled singers through rehearsal and performance that includes the widely praised musical education approach of Kodaly and Orff Schulwerk.

Dr. Nan Childress Orchard, Chair of the Music Department at Caldwell College says the choir program is a unique experience for children to grow musically and will provide a “wonderful opportunity for young people in grades 3 through 8 to experience the joy of singing with other talented students.” Children will be challenged to achieve the utmost quality in musical advancement and creative expression.

Fall semester begins September 15 and Spring semester begins January 19. Choristers will rehearse 4:30pm to 5:35pm and Chorale will rehearse 5:40 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. every Thursday in the Visceglia Arts Center Music Room on Caldwell’s Campus. Each semester will end with a Saturday concert open to the public. The concert dates will be announced at the beginning of the school year. The cost is $150 per semester or $250 for the fall and spring semesters combined. Family discounts are available. For further information or to set up an audition, please contact Dr. Nan Childress Orchard at 973-618-3587 or by email at Nchildress@caldwell.edu.

The Artistic Director and Conductor is Thomas R. Charsky, adjunct member of the Caldwell College Music Department. Mr. Charsky holds a B.A. in Music Education and an M.A. in Music in Organ Performance from The Catholic University of America. He has fulfilled further graduate studies in music education from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, Montclair State University, and Westminster Choir College (Rider University), among others. He holds a Level 3 Orff Schulwerk Certification and has wide-ranging experience and training in both Kodaly and Dalcroze Eurythmics.