Central Valley Youth Chorus Family Handbook 24-25
Our mission is to empower young singers to discover their spirit of creativity, compassion, and teamwork through the transformative art of choral music.
Welcome to Central Valley Youth Chorus!
We are looking forward to a memorable season and are thrilled to have your singers in CVYC! We applaud your decision to involve your children in the musical community.
The Central Valley Youth Chorus is a quality well-rounded choral music program for children grades 2-8. Children are introduced to a diverse and engaging repertoire ranging from folk music to classical choral pieces. Our goal within CVYC is to have multiple ensembles involving grades K-12, based on voicing, age and grade level, and ability and experience. It will be exciting to see us grow!
Choral singing is both an individual and a group musical experience. In CVYC, children will gain the tools to sing in tune and the ability to read music, while learning the basics of good vocal technique. At the same time, they learn to sing as part of an ensemble and experience the power of a shared musical experience. CVYC wil present two formal concerts each year, as well as a variety of smaller appearances around the Central Valley.
The Basics
Rehearsals - All chorus members should bring their music in their music folder, a pencil and water bottle to each rehearsal. Please be on time, seated, and ready to go at the start of rehearsal. Eating food or chewing gum is not permitted during rehearsal. Singers’ cell phones must be turned off and stowed away during rehearsals.
Music Folders - Music and the music folders are the property and responsibility of CVYC. Singers will be charged $20.00 for lost or damaged music. Students return music at the last rehearsal of the season.
Behavior - Every singer should be dedicated to making each rehearsal a success. Disruptive behavior on the part of one child can ruin the experience for the entire group. Continuing disruptive behavior is grounds for dismissal from CVYC. Please see Singer Contract for further details regarding behavior.
Safety - We keep emergency contact and health information on file for each singer. Guardians will need to check singers in at dropoff and check them out at pickup by initialing an attendance form.
Parent Observation and Volunteers - Parents are welcome to sit outside the rehearsal room and listen to rehearsals! We do need quiet, so as not to disturb the rehearsal. Please silence any cell phones, pagers etc, and avoid conversations in or near the rehearsal room.
Parent involvement is crucial to the success of CVYC. Our parent volunteers work to keep our events coordinated, safe, and fun for all of our families. There will be a parent meeting at the beginning of each season to share volunteer opportunities. We always need rehearsal greeters and parent monitors!
Commitment - The Board recommends that each singer participate in CVYC for both our Fall and Spring seasons for the 2024-25 year, and beyond! This will allow members to gain the full benefit of a sequential learning experience.
Tuition + Financial Information
Tuition for our Fall Season (August - December) is $85 for Melody singers and $100 for Harmoney singers, due at the time of enrollment.
Should extenuating circumstances occur causing a student to withdraw, the CVYC Board and Staff may retain a portion of the tuition already invested for the season’s instructional expenses.
In addition to tuition, the rest of our budget is met through donations, grants, and various fundraising events. CVYC families are invited to support the choir by participating in these fundraisers.
CVYC will also do its best to work with families who request a scholarship. A limited number of partial or full need-based scholarships are available, awarded by the Scholarship Committee.
Calendar
You’ll find a calendar of rehearsals and concerts for the 2024-25 season in your music binder or on the website here. Please mark these dates in your family calendar. Throughout the season, updated informational flyers will come home with your singer. Please watch for these flyers!
Attendance
Faithful attendance is the key to success of the Central Valley Youth Chorus. The sound of each piece is incomplete without every chorister’s voice, and consistent attendance gives the singer the chance to Make Friends, Make Memories, and Make Music!
Please be on time to CYVC rehearsals and concerts. Singers may arrive up to 10 minutes early and need to remain until excused.
Please be present to pick up your singer promptly at the end of rehearsal. Habitual late pick up may incur an extra charge, as one of our staff must wait to ensure your child’s safety.
Make every effort to schedule appointments so that they do not conflict with rehearsals. We request that necessary absences be cleared with a note to CVYC Staff two weeks in advance. Notes may be brought to rehearsal or emailed to hello@centralvalleyyouthchorus.org.
Last minute verbal requests or absences without notification will not be excused. Unexcused absences may affect the singer's opportunity to participate in performances. In the event of an illness or emergency, please leave a message or email for CVYC Staff as soon as possible prior to the rehearsal or performance. Singers must attend the last two rehearsals before a concert. These final rehearsals are a very important time to prepare for performance!
Responsibilities for Singers
To assist in learning the performance pieces, CVYC members will be asked to study their music at home with the help of audio files provided. This will help to make rehearsals more successful!
In addition, we are committed to teaching the fundamentals of music education so that CVYC members become literate musicians. We are excited about this education element and its lifelong value.
Concert Attire
The Central Valley Youth Chorus ensembles are required to wear concert attire for performances. While we respect and value individuality, at performance time we dress similarly to show that we are part of a team!
Attire for the semester will be as follows:
CVYC t-shirt (provided to the singers), to be tucked in
Black pants
Solid black close-toed shoes
Black socks
Hair pulled back and off of face
Neutral nail polish, minimal jewelry, and plain belts
No visible hair accessories
How We Communicate
Our main channel of communication is via email to all families, and postings on our website www.centralvalleyyouthchorus.org. We also encourage regular use of our website. There you will find information on rehearsals, concerts, and holidays as posted on our calendar, as well as useful information about our choral program. We also encourage you to follow @centralvalleyyouthchorus on Instagram and Facebook, and visit our website often.
Continuing Registration
At the beginning of each season, all singers must register online, even if they have sung with CVYC in previous seasons. We need this information entered through the website so that all current and relevant information is captured in our database, including emergency contact information. If changes occur during the year, please notify us. It is especially important that we have a current phone and email address for each family. We do not share information with other organizations.
CVYC is a Nonprofit Organization
Central Valley Youth Chorus was founded in the fall of 2023 by several passionate and dedicated individuals. We are a 501C(3) non-profit organization.
Today, CVYC is run by a Board of Directors who meet regularly to guide the group’s business and programs. We currently employ an Artistic Director and an Accompanist.
Questions
We are happy to answer your questions! Please contact a member of the CVYC Staff or Board before or after rehearsal, email us at hello@centralvalleyyouthchorus.org, or send a message via the contact page on our website. Please be sure to review our FAQ page, as you may find answers there as well.