AMES YOUTH CHOIR
Handbook
AYC ~ P.O. Box 1965 ~ Ames IA 50010-1965
(515) 290-1422 ~ www.ameschildrenschoirs.org
This is the 2024 edition of the AYC Handbook. It is subject to annual review by the AYC Board.
Table of Contents
AYC Mission Statement and Program Goals . . . 1
History of the Ames Children’s Choirs Program . . 2
Directors and Executive Assistant. . . . . 3
AYC Association, Inc. . . . . . . 4
Governing Bodies . . . . . . . 4
Board of Directors . . . . . . . 4
Non-Profit Status . . . . . . . 5
Annual Meeting . . . . . . . 5
Expectation for Association Members . . . . 5
Orientation Meeting for Parents . . . . 5
Tuition . . . . . . . . 6
Late Tuition . . . . . . 6
Refund Policy . . . . . . 6
Tuition Discount . . . . . . . 7
Sibling Discount . . . . . . 7
Financial Need Discount . . . . 7
Lost or Damaged Music Fees – Attire Deposit/Refund . 7
Parent Responsibility . . . . . . 7
Financial . . . . . . . 7
Commitment to the Program . . . . 8
Fundraising ~ Donations . . . . . . 8
Fundraising . . . . . . . 8
Donations . . . . . . . 8
Parent Volunteers . . . . . . 9
Attendance . . . . . . . . 10
Absences . . . . . . . 10
Early Departure from Rehearsal . . . 10
You, Your Voice & Rehearsal . . . . 10
Inclement Weather ~ Snow Policy . . . 10
Music Binders . . . . . . 11
Rehearsal Location . . . . . . 11
Rules for Use of The Plex . . . . 11
Scheduling of Performances . . . . . 12
Scheduling Conflicts . . . . . . 12
Concert Tours . . . . . . . 13
Concert Choir Annual Tour . . . . 13
Concert Choir Special Tours . . . . 13
Tour Chaperones . . . . . . 13
School Tour . . . . . . . 13
Midwest Children’s Choir Festival . . . . 14/15
Concert Etiquette for Singers . . . . . 16
Personal Appearance Requirements . . . . 16
Formal and Informal Attire for All Choirs . . . 17
Auditions – Selection . . . . . . 18
New Singers . . . . . . 18
Returning Singers . . . . . . 18
Placement . . . . . . . . 18
Solos and Small Groups . . . . . . 19
Behavior Expectations . . . . . . 19
Homework . . . . . . . . 19
Singing in School Choirs . . . . . . 19
Awards and Recognition . . . . . . 20
Birthday Awards . . . . . . 20
Recognition pins . . . . . . 20
Letters of Recommendations . . . . 20
“Changing Voice” Policies . . . . 21
Communication . . . . . . . 22
AYC Association Board of Directors . . . . a
Fee Schedule . . . . . . b
Whom Do I Call? . . . . . . . b
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General Overview
AMES YOUTH CHOIR
Mission Statement
The Ames Youth Choir program aspires to be the best in the American choral tradition for young singers. The focus is the development of self-esteem through artistic experience including healthy vocal technique, expressive singing, and music literacy. Ames Youth Choir promotes musical excellence, performs music from various cultures, develops musical potential and achievements of young people, creates connections in the community, engages in volunteerism, provides accessibility to all children, and encourages the joy of singing.
Ames Youth Choir is dedicated to the following goals:
To promote musical excellence among the youth of Central Iowa
To bring the gift of music to our community
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The Ames Children’s Choirs (ACC) program was founded by Artistic Director Dr. Sylvia Munsen in 1995. The ACC program included boys and girls ages 8-18 singing in three choirs and focused on the development of self-esteem through artistic experience. Dr. Munsen developed an apprenticeship program for Iowa State University (ISU) choral music education students with the ACC program.
Notable performances for the ACC Concert Choir have included: the World Premiere of John Rutter’s Mass of the Children at Carnegie Hall with the composer as director, solo concerts in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral (NYC), Washington’s National Cathedral and Temple Square in Salt Lake City, a performance with the Des Moines Symphony for the World Food Prize, and a concert for the Meredith Willson Centennial in Mason City.
The ACC Concert Choir has been selected to perform for prestigious regional and national conferences including: North Central American Choral Directors Association (2002, 2008), Midwest Kodály Music Educators of America Conference (2007), Organization of American Kodály Educators (2007), American Orff-Schulwerk Association (2006) and the Michigan Music Educators Conference (2005). The choir has performed for the Iowa Choral Directors Association (2001, 2009) and the Iowa Music Education Association state conference (2018).
The ACC program sponsors two festivals: the Midwest Children’s Choir Festival (MCCF) and the Celebrate Singing Choral Festival (CSCF). MCCF was created to provide the opportunity for young singers in Iowa to hear and perform with nationally and internationally recognized choirs and performers. Choirs from Germany, Hungary, and the Czech Republic have been featured at MCCF as well as bass-baritone Simon Estes. The festival has featured the premiere of a new work by composer/directors: Allen Koepke (2013), Rollo Dilworth (2011), René Clausen (2009), and Bob Chilcott (2007). CSCF premiered in 2008 as an outgrowth of MCCF and features six Iowa children’s choirs. Carolyn Jennings composed a new work for CSCF 2010.
Annual concert tours have been conducted to the following locations: Ann Arbor, Champaign-Urbana, Chicago, DeKalb and Galesburg IL, Fargo-Moorhead, Fort Wayne IN, Kansas City, Lawrence KS, Madison, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Omaha, St. Louis, and many cities throughout the state of Iowa. Special tours have been conducted to Norway, Colorado and Utah, New York City, Washington DC and the Pacific Northwest. The Concert Choir has participated in various festivals including: the Northern Plains Kodály Festival in Fargo ND, “Joy of Singing” Festival at the University of Kansas with Simon Carrington, and “Sing a Mile High Children’s Choral Festival” in Denver with composer David Brunner. In June 1998, the choir was the only American ensemble to perform in the Mezinárodní Folklórní Festival in Frýdek-Místek, the Czech Republic. In 2001, the choir was one of 48 international ensembles performing in “The World of Children’s Choirs” in Vancouver BC, Canada, where the choir was recorded by the CBC.
The Concert Choir has performed in ISU concerts during special residencies with noted composers John Corigliano and Libby Larsen. The choir has participated in master classes with the vocal ensemble Cantus, Bob Chilcott, Michael Huff, René Clausen, and Weston Noble. All choirs in the ACC program have collaborated with many arts organizations in central Iowa including: Ames Chamber Artists, Ames Children’s Theater, Central Iowa Symphony and the ISU Opera Theater.
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Jodi Frisbie Reese - Director of Concert Choir and Singers
Jodi Frisbie Reese has directed choral and vocal music in Iowa and Kansas for over 20 years. She has served as an Assistant Professor of Music at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, an Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choirs at Dodge City Kansas Community College, and most recently as the Director of Choirs at East Sac County Schools in Lake View. She received her Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance from Boston University and her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Iowa State University. She is an active adjudicator and clinician and is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the American Choral Directors Association, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Erika Johnson - Director of Preparatory Choir and Chorale
Erika Johnson is a vocal and general music teacher for the Ames Community School District where she teaches K-5 general music and an extracurricular choir. She has worked with children in the performing arts for over 20 years, encompassing preschool through high school teaching, private voice and violin instruction, children’s choir direction, and musical theater direction. Mrs. Johnson studied music education and vocal performance at Ithaca College and completed Kodaly training at Wichita State University. She resides in Ames and enjoys reading and spending time with her husband and three children.
Emily Malamos joined the Ames Youth Choir in 2023. She is a graduate from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa with a Bachelor of Music in Education. As a student, Mrs. Malamos was a flutist in various ensembles at Wartburg including: the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Community Symphony, Flute Choir as well as the Waverly Municipal Band. Upon graduation she worked as the 5-12 band instructor for Paton-Churdan as well as the 7-8 band instructor for Greene County Schools in Jefferson, Iowa for a year before moving to K-4 music full-time for Greene County. In 2023 she began teaching PK-6 music at St. Cecilia School in Ames where she has been working on building the band program back up to where it once was.
Mrs. Malamos and her husband live in Ames with their two young children. She enjoys learning new skills and being crafty in her free time, as well as spending time with family and watching her children explore the world around them.
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Organizational Structure
The Ames Youth Choir (AYC) Association, Inc., is a non-profit corporation whose members include parents of singers, board members, community volunteers and AYC alumni. AYC is dedicated to providing a choral music education program of excellence for boys and girls ages 8-18 (treble voices) in Central Iowa. The program choirs and rehearsal times at The Plex are as follows:
Preparatory Choir Mondays, 4:30-5:25 p.m. (The Plex)
Chorale Mondays, 5:30-6:45 p.m. (The Plex)
Concert Choir Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. (The Plex)
Singers Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (The Plex)
Board of Directors
The role of the Board of Directors is to make broad policy decisions, raise funds, and promote the value of the organization to the community. It also has the responsibility for determining and managing the budget and hiring the staff. The Board is comprised of parents in the association and people from the community who support the mission of the organization. The organization operates under the IRS 501 (c) 3 non-profit status and has by-laws to govern its operation. The Board consists of a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and members-at-large.
Board Meetings
Board meetings are held monthly. The time and location are announced in the AYC Newsletters. Board meetings are open to any member of the Association.
Board Retreat
The Association Board conducts a one-day annual retreat each summer. The purpose is to review long-term goals, to establish short-term goals and to make sure the association stays on target with those goals.
Board Committees
Committees facilitate the goals of AYC. Each committee is chaired by at least one board member who in turn coordinates the efforts of the volunteers to accomplish the goals earmarked during the board’s annual retreat. Committees have included: audit, scholarship, fund-raising, marketing, grants, tours, historical, and special events.
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The organizational status of AYC is as a non-profit corporation according to the IRS category 501 (c) (3). ACC received its provisional status in 1998.
Annual meetings are required of all non-profit organizations. Two meetings are held; currently those meetings are held during the AYC Winter Concert and the AYC Spring Concert. All members are encouraged to attend.
As members who have chosen to join the association, everyone is expected to maintain a professional attitude and assist in the continued development of the program. By working together we can provide a first-rate music education program for the singers and present first-rate ensembles to the community.
Any complaints, criticisms or compliments about the organization or another member should be addressed to the Director, the Operations Manager or an AYC Board of Directors member.
An orientation meeting for parents is scheduled at the beginning of the school year for each choir. Each singer should have a parent or legal guardian present. Things covered in the meeting include an introduction to all AYC personnel, all policies and procedures, and review of the performance schedule. The Concert Choir meeting may include information regarding the Fall Retreat and Concert Choir Tour.
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Parent Commitment &
Financial Responsibility
Make checks payable to:
AYC
Please mail checks to:
P.O. Box 1965, Ames IA 50010-1965
Tuition is to be paid the 1st of each month for ten months from August through May. These ten payments complete the tuition responsibility for the entire singing year, which runs from September through May. Completing the tuition payments entitles each singer to receive, at no extra cost, an AYC t-shirt or polo shirt and a photo of their choir. The tuition also covers the cost of the Concert Choir Retreat (weekend in fall), the Chorale School Tour in May if scheduled, participation in the Midwest Children’s Choir Festival or the Celebrate Singing Choral Festival during the year it is held, training during rehearsals, and the administration of the program. (Please refer to Appendix b for the current tuition fees.)
Note: Even though it is deemed part of the annual tuition, returning singers receive a new black AYC t-shirt or polo shirt only when necessary (by size and/or condition). Those items are part of the singer’s “informal attire” and are only to be worn for AYC performances.
Parents who have not paid by the 15th of the following month will be sent a statement. Those who are delinquent for 30 days will be sent another letter informing them that their child may no longer be entitled to AYC privileges. All AYC members must be current with tuition payments in order to be allowed to perform in the Winter and Spring Concerts and the Festival Concerts.
New singers may be added to the choirs in January for the spring term. For those singers, tuition is due January 15, February 15 and March 15. Parents who have not paid by the 15th of the following month will be sent a written statement. Those who are delinquent for 30 days will be sent another letter informing them that their child is no longer entitled to AYC privileges. All “Spring Singers” must be fully paid by April. All AYC members must be current with tuition payments in order to be allowed to perform in the Spring Concert and the Festival Concert.
The first payment is a non-refundable fee. Any refund made will be pro-rated for the number of rehearsals scheduled at the date of the request. No refunds will be made after December 15. Exceptions are made only for those physically unable to continue in the program.
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Families with siblings in the program receive a discount on their tuition, which is regarded to be a “sibling discount.” These discounts are automatically given – you do not need to apply. Refer to Appendix b for the current discount.
Singers may apply for (partial) financial need tuition discounts. Currently, financial need discounts average 15-20% of the tuition fees. The application process includes a letter of application along with the first tuition payment on July 30. Included in the application:
The Financial Aid Committee (comprised of the Director and the AYC Treasurer) recommends singers to receive discounts to the AYC Board. The Board formally makes an offer of a discount. All application materials are destroyed after the decision is made. The Financial Aid Committee keeps all applications in strict confidence; no one is identified by name.
All AYC singers are expected to attend all rehearsals and concerts, listen and follow directions in a positive manner, accept and apply musical direction, display a positive attitude about choir and respect all adults in the AYC programs; financial aid recipients are to do so in an exemplary manner. Financial aid recipients (who have applied by the July 30 date) will be notified by August 15. Send applications to: Financial Aid Committee, Ames Youth Choir, P.O. Box 1965, Ames IA 50010-1965
All singers are provided with choral music to use during the semester or year. Each singer has a specified folder/music number and must return all music (octavos and xeroxed pages) or will be assessed a replacement cost which includes shipping and handling. See Appendix b for the current fees.
The Ames Youth Choir is a non-profit corporation wholly dependent upon tuition payments, concert ticket sales, donations, and other fundraising activities. Therefore, the prompt payment of tuition and the promotion of concerts and participation in fundraising activities are important to the success of the program.
The Board of Directors determines basic policies regarding tuition payment and accountability for fundraising activities. Where circumstances make the tuition policies a hardship upon the parents, it is their responsibility to immediately request a meeting with the Treasurer in order to resolve the problem. Arrangements can always be made under special circumstances. The Treasurer is required to operate within these policies by order of the Board of Directors.
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Commitment to the Program
It is important that singers and their families maintain their commitment as identified in the Registration Materials including the AYC Pledge. If you schedule your child for two events at the same time (or parts of the same time), those absences will not be excused. Each singer must be treated fairly and consistently. Even though it may appear to you that your singer has the ability to “make up” a missed rehearsal (not excused) on his/her own time, it is not fair to all of the other singers who maintain their commitment by choosing to participate in activities, which are not in conflict time-wise. The choirs are as successful as the commitment by each and every singer.
AYC was organized as a non-profit corporation according to the IRS category 501 (c) (3) 1998. Guidelines for operating a non-profit corporation include the raising of funds through donations and fundraising activities.
Fundraising
Due to its non-profit status, AYC can accept tax-deductible charitable contributions or gifts. The corporation relies on donations for financial support and graciously accepts cash contributions and property usable to the organization. Cash contributions include those paid by cash or check. They also include out-of-pocket expenses when donating goods/services. Out-of-pocket expenses can only be for services directly connected to the program (expenses only, not profits), and must be pre-approved by the AYC Board. Tuition fees paid by cash or check are not considered to be a donation and may not be reported on tax forms as such.
Non-cash contributions relate to gifts of property. The fair market value for acceptable non-cash contributions is to be determined in accordance with IRS requirements for Form 1040, Schedule A. As a contributor, in accordance with the IRS, one can receive a benefit as a result of making a contribution to a qualified organization, but one can deduct only the amount of the contribution that is more than the value of the benefit one received. The following gifts cannot be deducted as a taxable charitable contribution: a contribution to a specific singer, the value of one’s time/services, personal living or family expenses, appraisal fees.
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Parents working as volunteers are an integral part of the development and success of the program. Being a volunteer not only provides many opportunities to assist the delivery of the program, but also helps build a cohesive organization.
At the time of registration, parents are requested to fill out a questionnaire outlining areas in which they can donate their time and talents to the program. The Executive Assistant is the coordinator of parent volunteers.
Parents have served the organization in the following ways:
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Rehearsal Policies
Each singer is essential and vital to his/her ensemble. Therefore, consistent, punctual attendance at rehearsals and performances is required. AYC is a weekly responsibility for 9 months, September through May. Our expectation is that if you attend school, you should attend choir. In addition to regularly scheduled rehearsals, attendance at retreats and all performances is required.
Please call, text, or email the Operations Manager (515-290-1422) to report absences or if your singer will be tardy to rehearsal. Attendance records are maintained. Excused absences include: illness, religious holiday, or family emergency. After three unexcused absences/semester, a singer is subject to dismissal from the program with no tuition refund.
It is not reasonable to expect the staff to wait for late pick-ups. Please pick up your child within 15 minutes of the end of the rehearsal.
“I have a sore throat and can’t come to rehearsal.” There are all sorts of bugs who are waiting to attack singers. Be sure to get enough sleep and drink plenty of water every day. Bring your water bottle (water only) or get a drink if necessary during rehearsal. (Don’t go while we are rehearsing!) Singers must stay hydrated. As to the sore throat – technically, if you can talk, you can sing. Our advice is to limit your talking (especially whispering) and singing. Any use of the voice can be excessive while you are “recovering.” You are still encouraged to attend rehearsal and listen and mark your music. If you are able to attend school, you are able to attend choir.
The AYC policy is that if the Ames’ schools are canceled due to inclement weather (snow primarily), AYC is canceled. Because the AYC program includes singers from school districts around central Iowa, there will be varying weather conditions for singers in an individual choir. If you are unable to come to rehearsal due to weather conditions in your area, you must still report the absence to the Operations Manager.
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Each singer is assigned a binder of music. Please help your singer develop the responsibility of bringing their folder to rehearsal every time. Any singer failing to return the music in good condition at the last rehearsal will be assessed a fee to cover the replacement cost of the music. See Appendix b for fees.
All rehearsals are conducted at The Plex (5501 George Washington Carver Avenue) in Ames. Since The Plex provides rehearsal space for AYC, we must enforce some basic rules of etiquette in order to maintain the privilege of rehearsing at this location.
All members and people associated with AYC who utilize the rehearsal space allocated to us must follow these rules. Anyone who does not follow these rules is subject to dismissal from the program.
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Concert Performances
The focus of the program is to train young singers to learn how to sing in a healthy manner and to sing expressively. Any performance of any choir represents the program and the program is regarded to be only as good as the last performance. Please be advised of the following rules and regulations regarding public performances by any choir in the AYC program. This also includes any small group or individual singers in the program who are recognized as members of AYC at performances whether formally or informally.
As a natural progression of development, choirs take advantage of the opportunities to perform for various community events. The directors make all decisions regarding performances. They welcome all ideas, whether general or specific regarding potential performances; please contact them with the information and contacts.
All performances of choirs in the AYC program are planned and arranged by the directors including fee negotiation.
Parents or other AYC friends may contact them regarding performance opportunities, but may not guarantee a performance by any AYC ensemble for any event regardless of the fee honorarium; give all pertinent information to the directors.
All AYC concerts are conducted by the directors.
A tentative schedule is given at the parent meeting for the upcoming year; the schedule is
confirmed with the September AYC Newsletter and updated as necessary via subsequent Newsletters.
Notify the directors as soon as possible when there is a conflict or potential conflict for your singer to attend an AYC event. It is much easier to deal with things in advance than at the last minute – especially when a change in the schedule impacts all singers. Each singer is equally important to the choir and is crucial to the success of rehearsals and concerts. Do not voice your concerns to other people until the conflict has been resolved; notifying more people may in fact prevent the conflict from being resolved.
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Fall Tours are conducted one day in October or November. Costs are currently included in tuition payments. The purpose of the tour is to prepare singers and their parents for the experience of an extended tour with the Concert Choir and to experience a shared concert with other children’s choirs.
Concert Tours are conducted each spring/summer to provide the opportunity for the singers to perform for and with other children’s choirs whether school, church, or community choirs. Tour costs are in addition to tuition payments. Families receive a detailed tour handbook outlining all policies and procedures for the tour. Singers may stay overnight in the homes of a host choir, usually in pairs, but occasionally in a triple. A strict “stranger-danger” policy is enforced; no singer may go any place by him/herself.
The Concert Choir has conducted special tours for special opportunities.
To date, special tours include:
Mezinárodní Folklórní Festival in Frýdek-Místek, the Czech Republic – 1998
(12 day tour, $1200)
The World of Children’s Choirs-2001, Vancouver, BC, Canada, and Pacific Northwest
(12 day tour, $1200)
World Premiere of Mass of the Children by John Rutter, Carnegie Hall, NYC – 2003
(5 days, $1550)
Solo Concert in the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. – 2005
(7 days, $900)
Sing A Mile High Children’s Choral Festival, Colorado and Utah – 2007
(13 day tour, $1500)
15th Anniversary Tour to Norway – 2010
(12 day tour, $2650)
The National Memorial Day Choral Festival, Washington, D.C. – 2012
(6 day tour, $1780)
Sing A Mile High Children’s Choral Festival, Colorado and Utah – 2007; 2016
(6 day tour, $1100)
Texas International Choral Festival – 2018
(5 day tour)
Parents interested in serving as a chaperone for extended tours (a tour which includes an overnight stay) may request a chaperone application. Traditionally the singer/chaperone ratio is approximately 8/1. The director selects the chaperones. Parent chaperones pay tour costs as established by the AYC Board.
Chorale School Tours are conducted one day in April. Costs are covered through tuition payments. The purpose of the tour is to prepare singers and their parents for the experience of an extended tour with the Concert Choir and to promote the AYC program in area schools.
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The Midwest Children’s Choir Festival (MCCF) was established in 1996. The purpose of the festival is to provide the opportunity for children’s choirs in the Midwest annually to hear and perform with nationally and internationally recognized choirs and performers. Since 2000 MCCF concerts have included 250 select singers from across the state to join the featured choirs as a Mass Choir. The following choirs/performers have been featured in MCCF concerts and hosted by AYC:
MCCF – 2009
MCCF – 2023
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If you are not “feeling well”
Stay in your seat during the concert while other choirs are performing and listen to their performance – wait to share comments with “neighbors” until a piece is finished (while clapping)
It is the policy of AYC that each choir should look like a unified ensemble. When everyone looks “the same” people will listen to the singing and not be distracted by lots of visual differences.
Please observe the following policies:
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CONCERT ATTIRE
Items in ALL CAPS AND BOLD are the responsibility of the individual singer. AYC will submit a group order for the items from Southeastern Apparel. AYC black shirts must be worn only for choir related activities.
Concert Choir & Singers | |
GIRLS Formal: BLACK TUNIC (Southeastern Apparel) BLACK PANTS (Southeastern Apparel) BLACK DRESS SHOES NUDE KNEE HIGHS OR NONE Informal: BLUE JEANS CASUAL SHOES AYC black polo shirt | BOYS Formal: BLACK DRESS SHIRT (Southeastern Apparel) BLACK PANTS (Southeastern Apparel) BLACK SOCKS BLACK DRESS SHOES BLACK LEATHER BELT Informal: BLUE JEANS CASUAL SHOES AYC black polo shirt |
Chorale | |
ALL Formal: RED CUMBERBUND (Southeastern Apparel) RED BOW TIE (Southeastern Apparel) TUXEDO SHIRT (Southeastern Apparel) BLACK DRESS SHOES Informal: BLUE JEANS CASUAL SHOES AYC black t-shirt | AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: Formal: CIRCULAR SKIRT (Southeastern Apparel) -NUDE TIGHTS REQUIRED WITH SKIRT BLACK DRESS PANTS (Southeastern Apparel) -BLACK SOCKS/BELT REQUIRED WITH PANTS |
Preparatory Choir | |
ALL Formal: RED BOW TIE (Southeastern Apparel) TUXEDO SHIRT (Southeastern Apparel) BLACK DRESS SHOES Informal: BLUE JEANS CASUAL SHOES AYC black t-shirt | AT LEAST ON OF THE FOLLOWING: Formal: BLACK SKIRT (Southeastern Apparel) -NUDE TIGHTS REQUIRED WITH SKIRT BLACK DRESS PANTS (Southeastern Apparel) -BLACK SOCKS/BELT REQUIRED WITH PANTS |
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The AYC Singer
Acceptance into the program is determined by the audition. The directors administer all auditions and make all decisions as to placement. The program is non-discriminatory. No singer will be excluded based on race, religion or financial need.
Auditions for new members of all choirs are held in May and the end of August for the upcoming year. Additional auditions are held in the beginning of January for the spring term.
Singers already in the program participate in an annual voice evaluation each spring to determine their musical growth during the previous year. Renewal of membership in the AYC program is by invitation from the conductor to members that have successfully fulfilled AYC membership requirements in the previous season. Promotion between choirs requires an audition and invitation from the director of the receiving choir. One parent should accompany the singer to the evaluation to meet with the Executive Assistant and/or AYC Board members regarding the upcoming year.
The directors determine the appropriate placement for all singers (whether new or returning) in the program. Placement is determined by age and vocal maturity. Vocal maturity does not necessarily mean prior experience. Placement is made with the best interest of the individual singer and each ensemble in mind.
Based on the audition, the director determines a seating plan, which places singers in the best position vocally. (This influences the “blend” of the ensemble.) In the Prep and Chorale especially, new singers are often placed next to returning singers and all singers next to singers from other schools.
Factors influencing placement in a choir include:
All singers may not progress at the same rate. Singers who join at age 7 should anticipate participating two years each in the Prep Choir and Chorale before being selected for the Concert Choir. Some singers may only sing for one year in the Prep or Chorale; however, singing in the Prep Choir or Chorale for at least two years each is usual. The role as a “new” singer to a particular choir and the role as a “veteran” singer are two different roles and important to the development of each singer. Being a veteran singer provides the opportunity for leadership both behaviorally and musically.
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All singers in the program have been carefully selected. Any singer could be chosen for a small group or a solo. Having small groups and solos provides variety in each concert. In addition, it provides a special opportunity for selected singers. The directors make all decisions. Solos are determined by the singer’s positive attitude, range, quality, and, in the case of small groups, the ability to blend.
All AYC members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that enables the singing group to maximize its work to perform to its greatest potential. Exemplary behavior is expected at all times. Behavior that is disrespectful or disruptive to the rehearsal is cause for dismissal. Each singer and their parents must sign the AYC Pledge (code of behavior) form before being admitted to the program.
We recommend that everyone vocalize 5-7 minutes/day. (Some singers practice warm-ups while taking a shower/bath!) It also makes a difference in how each singer uses his/her voice each day – and that includes the use of the speaking voice as well. If each singer practices choir music (reviewing and memorizing) 3-4 times/week for 7-8 minutes, the progress each choir makes is amazing. Singers can’t do 60 minutes of choir rehearsal in one day and then forget about it until the next rehearsal. Vocalizing and reviewing/memorizing music daily should be just like other daily activities: brushing your teeth and eating!
The AYC organization recommends that AYC singers also participate in their school and/ or church choirs. Although it is not a “requirement,” we strongly encourage you to participate in your school choir, especially in the elementary school. Those teachers are counting on you to be a leader!
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Birthday Awards
AYC gives birthday stickers, pencils, etc. to singers on/near their birthdays. Summer birthdays are recognized at the end or beginning of the year.
Recognition Pins
Singers who have sung in AYC for three or more years will receive a special AYC pin. Singers will receive the AYC Gold Pin after 5 years in AYC or after two year in the Concert Choir, whichever comes first. Members of the AYC Board will receive the Gold Pin after three years of service on the board. These pins will be presented at the Spring Concert.
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The AYC program is based on literature for treble voices. Both boys and girls may undergo a voice change during their time in AYC. For the boys, the change is far more apparent than for the girls. Indicators of the male voice change include cracks in the speaking voice, speaking and singing “huskiness,” and a sense of “straining” when singing in the higher range. The time frame for the male voice change differs from singer to singer as each singer grows at different rates; it may progress gradually or it may completely drop in a short period of time (for the boys). Bass voices tend to take longer to go through a voice change than tenor voices. Girls may also undergo a voice change during their time in AYC. Their range may be inconsistent, and their voices may be inconsistently breathy sounding. The quality of their voice may also change as they physically mature.
If your son is a singer in the Concert Choir (a likely time for the change to occur), and if the director anticipates that his voice might change, your child will probably be assigned to sing the alto part. It is too stressful on the voice for a boy to continue singing in the choir if he must sing everything in falsetto.
If a boy is not able to continue in his assigned choir, the tuition will be pro-rated. This is an example of when a tuition refund can be made because the child physically (vocally) is unable to continue in the program.
23
Communication
Communication is the lifeline of the choir and is handled by one of these methods:
Index
AYC Association Board of Directors (current membership) . . Appendix a
AYC Association, Inc. . . . . . . . 4
AYC Items for Sale . . . . . . . . 22
AYC Mission Statement and Program Goals . . . . . 1
Absences . . . . . . . . . 10
Annual Meeting of the Association . . . . . . 5
Association Members – Expectations . . . . . . 5
Attendance . . . . . . . . . 10
Attendance – You, Your Voice & Rehearsal . . . . . 10
Attire – Formal and Informal Attire for All Choirs . . . . 17
Auditions – Selection . . . . . . . . 18
Awards and Recognition . . . . . . . 20
Behavior Expectations . . . . . . . 19
Birthday Awards . . . . . . . . 20
Board of Directors . . . . . . . . 4
Chamber Singers . . . . . . . . 20
“Changing Voice” Policy . . . . . . . 21
Commitment to the Program . . . . . . . 8
Communication . . . . . . . . 22
Concert Choir Annual Tour . . . . . . . 13
Concert Choir Special Tours . . . . . . . 13
Concert Etiquette for Singers . . . . . . . 16
Concert Tours . . . . . . . . . 13
Directors. . . . . . . . . . 3
Donations . . . . . . . . . 8
Fee Schedule . . . . . . . . Appendix b
Financial – Parent Responsibility . . . . . . 7
Financial Need Discount . . . . . . . 8
Fundraising . . . . . . . . . 8
Governing Bodies . . . . . . . . 4
History of the Ames Children’s Choirs Program . . . . 2
Homework . . . . . . . . . 19
Inclement Weather ~ Snow Policy . . . . . . 10
Late Departure from Rehearsal . . . . . . 10
Letters of Recommendation . . . . . . . 20
Lost or Damaged Music Fees – Attire Deposit/Refund . . . 7
Meeting for Parents – Orientation . . . . . . 5
Midwest Children’s Choir Festival . . . . . . 14/15
Music Binders . . . . . . . . 11
Non-Profit Status . . . . . . . . 5
Index – continued
Parent Responsibility . . . . . . . . 7
Parent Volunteers . . . . . . . . 9
Pencil Awards . . . . . . . . 20
Personal Appearance Requirements . . . . . . 16
Placement – Voice . . . . . . . . 18
Retreat – Concert Choir . . . . . . . 21
Refund Policy . . . . . . . . . 6
Rehearsal Location . . . . . . . . . 11
Rules for Use of The Plex . . . . . . . 11
School Tour . . . . . . . . . 13
Solos and Small Groups . . . . . . . 19
Singing in School Choirs . . . . . . . 19
Scheduling of Performances . . . . . . . 12
Scheduling Conflicts . . . . . . . . 12
Sibling Tuition Discount . . . . . . . 7
Singers – New . . . . . . . . 18
Singers – Returning . . . . . . . . 18
Tour Chaperones . . . . . . . . 13
Tuition . . . . . . . . . 6
Tuition Discount . . . . . . . . 7
Tuition – Late . . . . . . . . 6
Whom Do I Call? . . . . . . . Appendix b
a
Ames Youth Choir Association, Inc.
Board of Directors
2024-2025
The role of the Board of Directors is to make broad policy decisions, raise funds, and promote the value of the organization to the community. It also has the responsibility for determining and managing the budget and hiring the staff. The Board is comprised of parents in the association and people from the community who support the mission of the organization.
President:
| Nancy Ewing C-712-541-8192 naewing67@gmail.com | President-Elect:
| TBD C- |
Secretary: | Melissa Covington C-290-3041 stevenskr8@gmail.com | Treasurer: | Eric Johnson C-979-5504 t_n_a_2005@hotmail.com |
Members: | Susie Johnson C-460-0930 ebilsten@gmail.com Jade Dean Erin Norton elnorton@iastate.edu | Ami Duvickamiduvick@gmail.comKlaire DeVosklaire.devos@gmail.com Brooke Orrell Sievers Adriana Ballew agirlinames@gmail.com | |
Staff: | Jodi Frisbie Reese Concert Choir Director 620-214-2662 frisbiereesemusic@gmail.com | Erika Johnson Preparatory & Chorale Director mrsjsings@gmail.com | |
Emily Malamos Operations Manager AYC 515-290-1422 info@ameschildrenschoirs.org | Dawn Harms (Bookkeeper) C- 515-708-8825 acc.francine17@gmail.com |
b
Fees
Tuition Payments
It is the intent of the AYC Board to keep the fees at a reasonable level. With increased fundraising and volunteerism, we can do that. Payments are required August 1 – May 1.
Prep Choir $450/year (10 payments of $45)
Chorale * $550/year (10 payments of $55)
Concert Choir * $750/year (10 payments of $75)
Singers * $500/year (10 payments of $50)
* An additional tour charge will be assessed for Concert Choir spring/summer tours as arranged. At this time, the Fall Tour and School Tour are covered with tuition payments.
Sibling Discount
Currently, the sibling tuition discount is a straight 10% for ALL siblings in all choirs.
All singers are provided with choral music to use during the semester or year. Each singer has a specified folder/music number and must return all music (octavos and xeroxed pages) or will be assessed a replacement cost which includes shipping and handling. The minimum charge for one octavo (piece of music) is $5.00
Whom do I call?
Please contact Emily Malamos, AYC Operations Manager, at info@ameschildrenschoirs.org or
515-290-1422 regarding:
Please contact Dawn Harms, AYC Bookkeeper, at acc.bookkeeper252@gmail.com for any questions regarding tuition.