ENSEMBLES

Our singers are placed into one of our eight different chorus levels, depending on their age, musical skills, and choral experience. You can read more about the levels below.

PREP

In our open-entry (non-auditioned) Prep class, designed for K-Grade 1 students, students are introduced to the basics of singing. Through singing games and other activities, in a safe and fun environment, students develop their awareness of their own voice. The class' focus is on accessing the head tone and matching pitch. Students will explore general musical concepts of high and low, fast and slow, and different rhythmic patterns through rhythm games and simple songs. Students have the opportunity to perform in front of friends and family at bi-annual sharing sessions.

  • Prep A

    • Venue: St. Columba's Episcopal Church (4201 Albemarle St NW)

    • Director: Anne Tyler

    • Grade Cohort: K-1

    • Times: Sundays 1:20 - 2:20pm

    • Fall Semester Starts: September 21st

    • Annual Tuition: $1,290.00

    Prep B

    • Venue: St. Columba's Episcopal Church (4201 Albemarle St NW)

    • Director: Anne Tyler

    • Grade Cohort: K-1

    • Times: Sundays 2:30 - 3:30pm

    • Fall Semester Starts: September 21st

    • Annual Tuition: $1,290.00

TRAINING ENSEMBLE

IIn our open-entry (non-auditioned) Training Ensemble, recommended for students in Grades 2-3, students refine basic skills explored in Prep class continuing to work on accessing the head tone and matching pitch. Increased attention to individual singing and expressiveness begins at this level. Students learn how to follow a lead sheet or simple musical score and develop facility with their vocal instrument through unison singing. Students will also learn how to rehearse as an ensemble, using good posture, following a conductor, blending, etc. Students will have the opportunity to perform at both Winter and Spring concerts. Students who successfully complete the Training Ensemble curriculum will be invited to audition for the Treble Chorus.

  • NW Training A

    • Venue: St. Columba's Episcopal Church (4201 Albemarle St NW)

    • Director: Anne Tyler

    • Grade Cohort: 2-3

    • Times: Tuesdays 4:45 - 6:00pm

    • Fall Semester Starts: September 16th

    • Annual Tuition: $1,380.00

    NW Training B

    • Venue: St. Columba's Episcopal Church (4201 Albemarle St NW)

    • Director: Anne Tyler

    • Grade Cohort: 2-3

    • Times: Sundays 3:40 - 4:55pm

    • Fall Semester Starts: September 21st

    • Annual Tuition: $1,380.00

    SW Training

    • Venue: St. Matthew Lutheran Church (222 M St SW)

    • Director: Para Perry

    • Grade Cohort: 2-3

    • Times: Wednesdays 4:00 - 5:15pm

    • Fall Semester Start: September 17th

    • Annual Tuition: $1,380.00

TREBLE CHORUS

CCW’s preliminary performing ensemble for elementary singers, Treble Chorus, meets once a week for 1.75 hours. Singers at this level have demonstrated, through a simple and friendly audition, an ability to match pitch and maintain their part in singing a two-part round. In this ensemble, young singers develop strong unison singing skills and begin singing simple two- and three-part songs. Students also work on ear training, notation reading, navigating a musical score, and healthy vocal technique. Most students spend one to two years in Treble Chorus before advancing to the Beginning Bel Canto Chorus.

  • NW Treble

    • Venue: St. Columba's Episcopal Church (4201 Albemarle St NW)

    • Director: Christen Hernandez

    • Grade Cohort: 3-5

    • Times: Tuesdays 4:45 - 6:30pm

    • Orientation: September 14th

    • Fall Semester Starts: September 16th

    • Annual Tuition: $1,600.00

    SW Treble

    • Venue: St. Matthew Lutheran Church (222 M St SW)

    • Director: Christen Hernandez

    • Grade Cohort: 3-5

    • Times: Wednesdays 5:15 - 7:00pm

    • Orientation: September 10th

    • Fall Semester Starts: September 17th

    • Annual Tuition: $1,600.00

BEGINNING BEL CANTO

CCW’s performing ensemble for upper elementary singers, Beginning Bel Canto, meets once a week for 1.75 hours. Singers at this level have demonstrated, through a simple and friendly audition, an ability to blend in a choral ensemble and independent part holding in a simple two part song or accompanied unison piece. In this ensemble, young singers build upon a solid foundation of healthy vocal technique and begin to study more complex two or three-part songs. Students also work on ear training, notation reading, and navigating a musical score. Beginning Bel Canto also participates annually in a weekend choral festival with two other east coast children’s choruses. Most students spend one to two years in Beginning Bel Canto Chorus before progressing to the Intermediate Bel Canto Chorus.

  • NW BBC

    • Venue: St. Columba's Episcopal Church (4201 Albemarle St NW)

    • Director: TBD

    • Grade Cohort: 5-6

    • Times: Thursdays 5:00 - 6:45pm

    • Orientation: September 14th

    • Fall Semester Start: September 18th

    • Annual Tuition: $1,600.00

    SW BBC

    • Venue: St. Matthew Lutheran Church (222 M St SW)

    • Director: TBD

    • Grade Cohort: 5-6

    • Times: Wednesdays 5:15 - 7:00 pm

    • Orientation: September 10th

    • Fall Semester Start: September 17th

    • Annual Tuition: $1,600.00

INTERMEDIATE BEL CANTO

CCW’s performing ensemble for middle school singers, Intermediate Bel Canto, meets once a week for 2.25 hours, and marks the beginning of increased performance opportunites and more advanced music. Singers at this level have demonstrated an ability to blend in a choral ensemble and hold their part in a complex two-part song. In this ensemble, singers begin to advance their healthy vocal technique and study complex two or three-part songs. Students also continue to advance their skills in ear training, notation reading, and navigating a musical score. Intermediate Bel Canto also participates annually in a 3-5 day choral festival in the summer. Most students spend one to two years in Intermediate Bel Canto Chorus before progressing to the Advanced Bel Canto Chorus.

    • Venue: St. Columba's Episcopal Church (4201 Albemarle St NW)

    • Director: TBD

    • Grade Cohort: 6-8

    • Times: Sundays 4:00 - 6:15pm

    • Orientation: September 14th

    • Fall Semester Start: September 21th

    • Annual Tuition: $1,600.00

ADVANCED BEL CANTO

CCW's prelimiary advanced ensemble, Advanced Bel Canto, meets twice a week for a total of 3 hours. Students in this ensemble have previous experience and are ready to continue their musical development through more challenging repertoire, advanced sight-singing and music reading, and additional performance opportunities. Most students spend two years in Advanced Bel Canto before moving on to the Concert Chorus. ABC performs approximately six times per season. After at least one year in Advanced Bel Canto, students aged 13 and older have the opportunity to tour internationally every two to three years.

    • Venue: St. Columba's Episcopal Church (4201 Albemarle St NW)

    • Director: Margaret Nomura Clark

    • Grade Cohort: 6-9

    • Times: Sundays 4:00 - 5:45pm AND Thursdays 5:15 - 6:45pm

    • Orientation: September 14th

    • Fall Semester Starts: September 18th

    • Annual Tuition: $2,000.00

CONCERT CHORUS

CCW's flagship performing ensemble, Concert Chorus, meets twice a week for a total of 3 hours. Singers in Concert Chorus have established good vocal technique, are excellent sight readers, and can sing independently in four or more parts. Students will have leadership opportunities and are expected to work collaboratively in small groups, sectionals and smaller performance ensembles. Most contracted performances will be assigned to students in the Concert Chorus ensemble. Advanced singers will have the chance to audition to participate in the Chamber Ensemble, a select group of choristers that will sing together with the Young Men’s Ensemble. Concert Chorus performs at least six times per season, and students have the opportunity to tour internationally every two to three years.

    • Venue: St. Columba's Episcopal Church (4201 Albemarle St NW)

    • Director: Margaret Nomura Clark

    • Grade Cohort: 8-12

    • Times: Sundays 5:10 - 6:45pm AND Tuesdays 6:45 - 8:15pm

    • Retreat: September 6th and 7th

    • Fall Semester Starts: September 9th

    • Annual Tuition: $2,000.00

YOUNG MEN’S ENSEMBLE

This ensemble for singers with changed voices meets once a week for two hours. YME performs approximately four times per season, and collaborates with the Concert Chorus to perform SATB pieces.

Before choristers’ voices change and are able to audition for YME, choristers are able to participate in the Young Boys Ensemble. This ensemble, lead my Margaret Nomura Clark, provides a comfortable atmosphere where choristers can navigate their changing voices.

    • Venue: St. Columba's Episcopal Church (4201 Albemarle St NW)

    • Director: Don Cotton

    • Grade Cohort: NA - Changed Voices

    • Times: Tuesdays 7:00 - 9:00pm

    • Retreat: September 6th and 7th

    • Fall Semester Starts: September 9th

    • Annual Tuition: $1,650.00