BOYCHOIR ENROLLMENT Q&A
ABOUT
Boys ages 5–8 begin at one of our entry levels, either in Intro Choir or Prep Choir.
Intro Choir
No Audition | Ages 5 to 7 | 1 Day A Week | 45min Rehearsals
Intro Choir is ideal for young boys ages 5–7 with no music experience, and serves as an introduction to singing and music appreciation. Classes meet once a week for 45 minutes, providing a nurturing environment to explore music for the first time. No audition is required to join. Intro Choir is roughly a year-long program and after completion of Intro Choir, members are welcome to audition for Prep Choir or repeat Intro Choir again. Sign up HERE.
Prep Choir
Audition Required | Ages 6 to 8 | 2 Days A Week | 1hr Rehearsals
Prep Choir is ideal for boys ages 6–8 who have a passion for singing and a musical ear. Our Prep Choir rehearses for one hour twice a week, focusing on building fundamental skills in singing and music reading, and includes fun performance opportunities in our two annual recitals. An audition is required to join. Prep Choir is roughly a year-long program and after one year, qualifying graduates move up to our Intermediate Choir level. To sign up for an audition click HERE.
(More details on auditions below.)
Does my child need prior music experience?
No prior music experience is required to join either Intro Choir or Prep Choir – we teach the choristers everything they will need to be successful.
When can new choristers join the choir?
We welcome new members twice a year, with enrollment periods in February and September.
Does my child need to audition?
Auditions are only required for Prep Choir.
(More details on auditions below.)
If my child goes into Intro Choir, will they have to audition for Prep Choir later?
Yes. An audition is required if your child wishes to join Prep Choir, regardless of previous choir experience.
(More details on auditions below.)
Do Intro Choir and Prep Choir perform?
Intro Choir has two private informal recitals each year for friends and family hosted at our rehearsal facility. Since this level is an introductory course, this choir level is mostly geared towards music appreciation and less emphasis is placed on performing.
Prep Choir has two public formal recitals each year where choristers share the stage with our older choir levels in a joint recital. This is a great opportunity for choristers to show off their hard work in a formal setting, and also gives them the chance to hear the older choir levels perform.
How long does each choir level last?
Intro Choir is roughly a year-long program. Intro Choir does not meet during the summer months. After completion of Intro Choir, members are welcome to repeat the program again, or they are welcome to audition for Prep Choir.
Prep Choir is roughly a year-long program. Prep Choir does meet during the summer months. After completion, members who qualify are invited to move up to our Intermediate Choir level.
WHEN & WHERE
Where do rehearsals take place?
All choir rehearsals are held at our dedicated facility in the UHeights Center, located in Seattle’s University District: 5031 University Way NE NB2, Seattle, WA 98105
When are rehearsals held?
Intro Choir: Meets once a week for 45 minutes.
Current availability:
Monday OR Wednesday 5:30–6:15pm
Next classes start February 10th, 2025
Prep Choir: Meets twice a week for 1 hour.
Current availability:
Monday AND Wednesday 4:15–5:15pm
Next class starts February 10th, 2025
TUITION
How much does it cost?
Intro Choir: $100/month
Prep Choir: $200/month
Does Northwest Boychoir offer financial assistance?
Yes! The Northwest Boychoir is proud to be an inclusive and equitable organization and is firmly committed to assisting families with financial aid. No family is turned away for financial reasons!
AUDITIONS
Does my child need to audition?
Auditions are only required for Prep Choir. To sign up for a Prep Choir audition, click HERE.
Note: No prior music experience is required to join Prep Choir – we teach the choristers everything they will need to be successful.
Are virtual auditions available?
Yes, we offer both in-person and virtual audition options for your convenience.
What happens during an audition?
Auditions are a friendly and relaxed experience! Your child will meet with our choir director for about 15 minutes. They’ll sing a simple song of their choosing, echo musical patterns and pitches, and clap rhythms to assess your child’s capacity for rhythm and pitch-matching.
Watch our video HERE to see what our auditions look like!
What should my child prepare for the audition?
We ask that your child come prepared to sing a favorite simple song, such as “Happy Birthday” or a nursery rhyme. This helps them feel confident and allows us to hear their natural voice.
When will we hear about the audition results?
Audition results are shared the same day of the audition.
What happens after an audition?
Qualified candidates will be invited to participate in a group call-back audition. This provides an opportunity for us to observe your child in a classroom setting, assessing their ability to engage in group activities. We look for qualities such as maturity, musicianship, and the ability to collaborate with other choristers. After the call-back audition, if your child is accepted into Prep Choir, you will be notified within the same week as the call-back audition.
