Les étoiles is an advanced level chorus for teenage girls. Singers should have prior musical training and be motivated toward learning challenging repertoire. Beyond the musical benefits of membership in les étoiles, these young women learn the art of becoming a professional performer, through touring and performing.
Celestials Voices is the advanced level chorus for girls, ages 10 to 12. Singers should have prior musical training and be ready for a higher challenge. Instruction includes vocal technique, advanced ear training, and music theory. The singers perform music, both a cappella and accompanied, in three-part harmony.
Comets is the chorus for boys, ages 9 and up. The Comets are currently rehearsing with Starlights, however, as the program gains more singers, the Comets will break away from Starlights, holding their own rehearsals and singing their own repertoire.
Starlights is the entry level chorus for girls, ages 9 through middle school.
Children that participate as Caroling Kids in the fall become Twinkling Stars in the spring. Emphasis is placed on learning traditional songs, including American and multi-cultural folk songs and popular classics, and some new compositions as well. Several performances occur at the end of the semester and usually include singing at the malls and retirement homes.
Chorissima is the concert, recording, and touring ensemble of the San Francisco Girls Chorus, and is conducted by Artistic Director Susan McMane. The dedicated young artists of the ensemble, ages 12-18 years old, present a season concert series in the San Francisco Bay Area, tour nationally and internationally, and appear annually with renowned artistic partners, such as San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Symphony. Membership in Chorissima is by audition, after graduation from the Chorus School.
Emphasis is placed on more complex and challenging music, in addition to more demanding expectations for the refinement of sight-singing skills. Comprehension and vocalizing of musical phrasing is more complex at this level. Vocal technique is expected to become more consistent, and greater agility and practice are necessary to hear and learn music in more foreign languages. There are high expectations for the development of chorister independence in work ethic and also in rehearsal techniques.
Level III extends the challenging program of music repertoire, musical concepts, and performing experiences. The expectations and personal responsibility of choristers are increased, the training is more intensive, and the rewards become more fulfilling. Choristers are exposed to an expanded three-part repertoire in two to three additional languages and more advanced concepts of choral singing are introduced. Choristers who work conscientiously in Level III should have little difficulty in progressing toward the standards that are required for advancement to Level IV.
Level II offers a greater diversity in individual attentiveness, repertoire, vocal skills, theory requirements, and performance demands. To enter Level II, choristers must demonstrate basic vocal and musical competence, and additionally they must master elementary sight-singing concepts and skills. At this level, choristers learn to be more confident and more independent in their work. Rehearsal concentration and performance demands are increased in Level II.
Level I provides the foundation for progress and development in the Chorus School. Attention span and quiet concentration are a point of focus, as well as practice and development in vocal technique and theory. Working goals are aimed toward both areas: the need to learn important musical basics and the need to learn to work together as a group.