About the Chorus and Choir Levels
The Rhode Island Children’s Chorus is an incorporated, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which was founded in 2003 by Christine Noel, its Artistic Director and Joyce Wolfe, Executive Director. Based in Rhode Island, choral members include children from over 30 cities and towns in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. From its beginnings with 14 singers, the chorus has grown to over 170 current members and is composed of four choirs. The Children’s Chorus hosts two major concerts a year, where all groups perform both separately and jointly. In addition, the combined group appears at many local and regional invitational events. The RI Children’s Chorus has sung with the RI Philharmonic Orchestra in Carmina Burana, with the Providence Singers, and with the choruses of Boston University and Rhode Island College. The Chorus is featured on Bill Harley's Children's Album, "I Wanna Play," nominated for a 2007 Grammy Award. Members of the Children's Chorus were selected to appear in the film Moonrise Kingdom (2012), starring Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, and others. The Chamber Chorus performed by invitation at the 2009 Music Educators' National Conference (MENC) Convention in Providence and represented their state at the American Choral Directors' Association (ACDA) Eastern Division Convention in February, 2010 in Philadelphia. The RICC Principal Chorus recently performed for the March of Dimes at Blithewold Mansion in Bristol, Marble House in Newport, and Aldrich Mansion in Warwick, at the RISD Museum for the Art League of RI, and opened for the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular Starring the Rockettes.
The mission of the chorus is to provide children with musical instruction, vocal training, and performance opportunities at the highest level. Through the RI Children's Chorus, young singers develop musical ability, vocal skills and performance readiness in a friendly, non-competitive atmosphere. Natural talent emerges and confidence grows as the child masters a repertoire that includes classical, contemporary, multicultural, and patriotic choral music. Strong bonds of friendship become a part of the child’s choral experience as they participate in this rewarding artistic activity.
About The Choirs
The Rhode Island Children’s Chorus is comprised of six choirs in four choir levels. Singers are placed in the appropriate ensemble at the discretion of the Artistic Director, based on age, musical development, and maturity.
TRAINING CHORUS (grades 2-4; Offered in East Providence and East Greenwich)
Members of the Training Chorus learn basic music and vocal skills. Healthy vocal production, tone quality, ensemble singing skills and performance etiquette are developed in an encouraging atmosphere with age-appropriate music. The Training Choir performs a minimum of two concerts per year.
Training Chorus Schedule and Locations
~ Rehearsals for the East Providence group are held on Tuesday evenings from 5:00-6:30pm at the Carter Center of the RI Philharmonic.
Conductor: Ms. Elizabeth Grace
~ Rehearsals for the East Greenwich group are held on Thursday evenings from 5:00-6:30pm at St. Luke's Church in East Greenwich. Conductor: Ms. Ashley Prickel
LYRIC CHORUS (grades 5-9; Offered in East Providence and East Greenwich)
The Lyric Chorus is a beginner-intermediate ensemble that focuses on continued development of vocal technique, musical skills, and performance etiquette. The repertoire includes music in two-part harmony in English and other languages. The Lyric Chorus performs a minimum of two concerts per year.
Lyric Chorus Schedule and Locations
~ Rehearsals for the East Providence group are held on Tuesday evenings from 5:00-6:30pm at the Carter Center of the RI Philharmonic.
Conductor: Mr. John Burns
~ Rehearsals for the East Greenwich group are held on Thursday evenings from 5:00-6:30pm at St. Luke's Church in East Greenwich. Conductor: Dr. Christine Noel
PRINCIPAL CHORUS (grades 5-12; Offered in East Providence only)
The Principal Chorus is an intermediate-advanced-level ensemble, offering continued focus on vocal development and musicianship skills. The more advanced repertoire includes two- and three-part music in English and other languages, from different periods in music history. The Principal Chorus hosts two major concerts per year and performs in other venues by invitation, typically two to three times per year.
Principal Chorus Schedule and Location
~ Rehearsals for the Principal Chorus are held on Tuesday evenings from 5:00-6:30pm at the RI Philharmonic Carter Center in East Providence.
Conductor: Dr. Christine Noel
CHAMBER CHORUS (grades 9-12; Offered in Chepachet only)
A professional-level chorus, the Chamber Chorus offers advanced training in vocal technique and musicianship. The repertoire includes challenging works from many cultures and time periods in three- and four-part harmony. The Chamber Chorus serves as the touring choir for special events and invitational concerts. The ensemble has performed at the 2009 Music Educators’ National Conference (MENC) Convention in Providence and will perform at the 2010 convention for the American Choral Directors’ Association in Philadelphia, PA.
Chamber Chorus Schedule and Location
~ Rehearsals are on Sundays from 3:00-5:00pm at Glad Tidings Community Church in Chepachet, RI. Chamber Chorus members also attend rehearsals on Tuesday evenings in East Providence (with the Principal Chorus).
Conductor: Dr. Christine Noel