A children's choir open through auditions for 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th graders from throughout Eastern Iowa.  Participants need a positive attitude, respect for others, a love for singing, and a desire to perform.  The choir will not only sing, but also include choreography on several pieces.

The choir has two scheduled performances at UNI as well as many opportunities to perform in the community and throughout the state.  The performances for the fall/2004 semester include opening the CHANTICLEER concert on Thursday, October 14th, at Gallagher-Bluedorn, and performing at the RED CROSS Holiday Concert on Thursday, Deember 16th.

The ensemble is also a learning opportunity for UNI music education majors to work with a children's choir learning the pedogogical and organizational skills of directing a vocal ensemble.

The choir is self-supporting, breaking even with costs and expenses from tuition collected from participating students.  Each choir member's tuition is $50.00 per semester, due at the onset of each term.  

Rehearsals and concerts take place at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa.
        For driving directions, CLICK HERE

Many off campus opportunities will also occur, some with provided transportation and others without (local).

The choir is under the direction of Michelle Swanson, instructor at the University of Northern Iowa.  Mrs. Swanson has taught elementary general music for 13 years.  She currently teaches elementary general music and elementary choir at Malcolm Price Laboratory School, at UNI.  Mrs. Swanson teaches Elementary General Music Methods to music education students at UNI as well.   She received her B.M.E. and M.M. degrees from U.N.I.  She has directed numerous elementary, middle school, high school and adult choirs.  She conducted the N.E. Iowa Choral Directors' 5th & 6th grade Honor Choir in 1998, and the Gold Star Singers Choir in 2000.  She is also an accomplished accompanist.  Michelle and her husband, Chad, have two children:  Elizabeth (6) and Matthew (1).

    Rehearsals -

        Tuesday afternoons, from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
        Jebe Hall in GBPAC
        Starting JANUARY 25, 2005

    Concerts: -
      
        Wednesday,  February 2nd, 2005 - GBPAC Great Hall - Tsunami Victims Relieft Concert - Red Cross Benefit
        Friday, May 6th, 2005, 7:00 p.m. - Davis Halls, GBPAC 

An opportunity for children to make music together, further vocal development and perform high quality concerts.  
A learning experience for UNI music education students to learn how to conduct a choir and organize a performing ensemble.  

Students will be selected for participation based on their musicianship, pitch matching, vocal quality and attitude.  Children must be able to attend all rehearsals (Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m.) and performances.  Previous music experiences are helpful.  

For the audition, children should have a song (or partial song) prepared and memorized.  Please bring a copy of the music  Accompaniment will be available with provided music.

Please allow approximately 10 minutes for the audition process.

The auditions will take place at PLS, GBPAC or at another convenient, agreed upon location.

Auditions will be scheduled on an individual basis between now and January 24, 2005.

Each prospective participant will be asked to fill out a registration form, which you can do in advance  by clicking HERE.

To schedule an audition with Mrs. Swanson, e-mail michelle.swanson@uni.edu to schedule an appointment.