KIDZXPRESS

KIDAZZLE is grade 3
KIDZXPRESS is grades 4-6
JUNIOR HI is grades 7-9
SENIOR HI is grades 10-12
ACT3 is for young adults in post-secondary and early career (age 18-30-ish)

No interviews or auditions are required for singers in grade 3. New singers in grade 4 and up participate in a placement interview, rather than an audition. This is booked when you register.

Vocal range and previous experience are unique attributes to every performer. To ensure your registration is the right fit, we need to hear you sing! Please prepare a song of your choice to sing at your interview. You can do it without music (a cappella), bring sheet music (an accompanist is not provided), or play a track on your phone. If you’re not sure what to sing, a lullabye, an anthem, or Happy Birthday are just fine!

Singers in KIDZXPRESS, JUNIOR HI, SENIOR HI, and ACT3 perform twice annually at the Jubilee Auditorium (December and May) and have 4-6 additional performances throughout the year, mostly in December and the spring. These dates are available in your registration information.

Singers in KIDAZZLE have their own holiday presentation in December, perform in the May show at the Jubilee Auditorium, and are part of several additional spring performance opportunities.

Singers learn a wide variety of music, including pop, rock, classical, jazz, musical theatre, a cappella, and many more genres. Generally, each year’s repertoire includes brand-new arrangements of current popular music, music by Canadian composers, music in a language other than English, works by well-known living composers, classical standards that are foundational to choral singing, and music from specific cultures and by composers from different backgrounds. Repertoire varies from year to year and by age, so the longer you sing with us, the broader a range of music you’ll learn.

Choreography is added to about half of your repertoire each year. Performance styles vary from a traditional choral singing experience to fully choreographed performances incorporating singing and dance.

You do not need dance training to be in Youth Singers. Choreography is an integral part of the Youth Singers experience, but you can join with any level of training or none at all. There are opportunities for dancers to be featured and to audition for more advanced dance parts, while beginners of any age will learn from our professional choreography team and become confident by the time show day comes.

KIDAZZLE, KIDZXPRESS, JUNIOR HI, SENIOR HI, and ACT3 rehearse weekly from September to the beginning of June, with breaks for Christmas, spring break, and holidays.

Weekly rehearsals range from 1.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on age. JUNIOR HI rehearses on Mondays, SENIOR HI and ACT3 on Wednesdays, and KIDAZZLE and KIDZXPRESS on Thursdays.

KIDZXPRESS, JUNIOR HI, SENIOR HI, and ACT3 have weekend workshops 6 times per year (September, October, November, February, April, and May). Rehearsals take place Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday on these weekends (with the exception of the April workshop, which is Saturday only). Singers are not required for the entire weekend because the exact commitment varies by workshop.

The September workshop for singers in SENIOR HI and ACT3 is an overnight camp, but all other workshops require age-appropriate daytime availability.

There are 2 performances annually at the Jubilee Auditorium (December and May), as well as 4-6 seasonal performances. Most of these dates are set before the season begins and are available in our registration information.

Full attendance at weekly rehearsals, workshop weekends, and performances is expected as part of your commitment to your division. Your attendance is important for your own education and preparation, as well as for the rest of the choir. Your presence matters to everyone around you, and everyone is prepared when the whole group is present.

Optional additional opportunities such as vocal solos, acting roles, small dance ensembles, and talent shows are available throughout the year, with additional time commitment but no additional cost.

We ask families in KIDZXPRESS, JUNIOR HI, and SENIOR HI to contribute around 6 hours/month, and families in KIDAZZLE and ACT3 to contribute around 3 hours/month. The volunteer commitment is per family, not per singer.

Our registration fees do not cover the total program costs, and volunteering helps us to provide the high-quality, professional experience that Youth Singers offers young performers.

Our volunteer department will work with you throughout the year to ensure the best fit for your skills, interests, and schedule. There are hundreds of volunteer opportunities and positions, such as administrative work that can be done while your child is in rehearsal, planning and event committees, design and production work for our shows, photography and videography, and more. We are committed to helping you find a great fit at Youth Singers.

Bingos (or an opt-out fee) are required on behalf of all singers in KIDAZZLE, KIDZXPRESS, JUNIOR HI, SENIOR HI, and ACT3. You can also work additional bingos to earn credits toward tuition or tour costs.

KIDAZZLE requires 4 bingos per singer, KIDZXPRESS & ACT3 require 6 bingos per singer, and JUNIOR HI & SENIOR HI require 8 bingos per singer.

Other ways to support Youth Singers include Purdy’s Chocolates, donating to support our silent auction, purchasing AdMazing coupon books, and attending our fundraising gala. Members are made aware of these opportunities throughout the year and we encourage everyone to participate, but they are not required as part of registration.

Tuition varies by program and more information can be found on individual division pages under the “Programs” tab.

In addition to instruction from a large team of professional artists, your fees include your music binder rental, use of certain wardrobe items, festival entrance fees, Jumpstart Camp, and facility/equipment usage for both rehearsals and performances.

Items which are not included in your program tuition and fees include things such as show tickets, some wardrobe items, tours, snacks and meals during workshops and show days, show DVDs/Blu-Rays, and other incidental costs.

You can split your tuition into monthly payments. Bursaries are available for singers with financial need.

Yes, you need to purchase some wardrobe items. Wardrobe is divided into three categories:

1. Basic dancewear and performance attire owned by each singer. Items such as dance shoes, dance tights, black dress pants, white dress shirt, and stage makeup are required basics. A list is provided at the beginning of the season. Appropriate, professional-quality dance gear is available at specialty dance stores, but you can also often find them second-hand.

2. Items provided by Youth Singers. We have a vast wardrobe stock, and items such as matching dresses/suits, other uniform looks, or specialty costumes are used by singers as a part of your fees. These items are assigned to you for the year and are returned at the end of the season.

3. Specific items provided by singers. These are typically items that are easily acquired or already in your wardrobe (i.e. blue jeans, a plaid shirt, or a solid coloured sweater), or they involve your creativity in creating a more specific costume (i.e. an ‘80s-style outfit). Our Wardrobe team is available to support you with these items if necessary, and these items can often be borrowed, thrifted, or handed down.

At the beginning of the season, you will receive a login for the Youth Singers Choir Genius page, a website that acts as our complete information hub. Calendars, notices, important links, music learning resources, and other information are posted here.. We recommend logging in weekly. You will also receive the weekly Youth Singers newsletter, which is an important way to receive information about the big picture of Youth Singers.

Youth Singers programs focus on singing, dance, and performance skills. We focus on an exceptional choral experience complemented by dance and theatrical elements. At Youth Singers of Calgary, students develop their self-confidence, discipline, self-esteem, leadership capacity, and teamwork skills.

Our programs are focused on learning the performing arts by improving reading skills, concentration, memorization, and focus.

Surrounded by a trusted peer group and encouraged by mentors, we see youth transform from reluctant or timid performers into robust, focused, and enthusiastic individuals.

Singers receive, at age-appropriate levels:

• Coaching by an accomplished team of music and performing arts education directors, choreographers, and support network

• Multiple, local performances annually

• Leadership development; student-led initiatives and projects

• Performing arts career development opportunities; a progression from student to coach