About GCCC

With a membership of over 230 students, singers in the Grand Cities Children's Choir comprise four ensembles. Each choir offers age appropriate vocal instruction and develops overall musicianship. The program strives to create a spirit of community through the universal language of music.

In addition to our performing groups, GCCC has a program for our 10 through 12 grade graduates. These students serve as mentors or Grazioso Guidares (GGs), which is Italian for “gracious guide.” These students spend numerous hours volunteering their time and talents to each of the choirs while receiving training in leadership, personal development, and musical teaching techniques.

Membership

Open to boys & girls in grades 3 through 9. New members audition in the spring or fall. Returning members audition in the spring.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings from September though April. Major performances are held in November and April.

Fees

Members pay tuition & uniform fees which are collected in the fall. GCCC is grateful for generous donors who provide tuition assistance.

Our Philosophy

The GCCC is a performance-based music education program whose mission is to offer young people the experience of musical artistry and excellence through choral singing in a youth-centered atmosphere. Students develop their vocal mastery as they prepare and perform along with the members of their choirs. Literature covers a wide variety of musical styles and time periods. Rehearsals focus on vocal skill development, ear training, sight singing, and performance preparation. GCCC welcomes students from all ethnic, social or economic backgrounds, and tuition assistance is available to ensure that all children are able to participate.

Our Story

The Grand Cities Children’s Choir was founded in 2002 by Melanie Popejoy, Artistic Director. GCCC was created as a division of the Summer Performing Arts Program (SPA), which is an artistic enrichment program for elementary, middle, and high school students offered through the Grand Forks Public School System. Since its inception, GCCC has grown from two choirs to four, developed a mentoring program for the graduates, and implemented a musical enrichment tour every three years.

Choirs

The Grand Cities Children's Choir is comprised of four performing groups. Children are selected to participate in a choir based on their age and where they are in their musical development.

Poco Voce

"Little Voices"

Director: Annella Winger
Accompanist: Roxanne Gessler
Rehearsal Time: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Thursdays

Tuition: $175 a year, plus uniform
Grade 3

Poco Voce is the name given to the youngest ensemble of the GCCC program. This ensemble is open to boys and girls in grade 3 who demonstrate the ability to sing with others by matching pitch, express a desire to develop their vocal potential, and behave in a manner that enhances the development of the choral ensemble. The choir performs unison literature and will be introduced to part-singing through rounds, partner songs, and ostinatos. Rehearsals focus on vocal skill development, ear training, sight singing, and performance preparation.

Canto Voce

"Singing Voices"

Director: Ruth Ann Tuseth
Accompanist: Gretchen Kindseth
Rehearsal Time – 5:30 – 6:30 pm Thursdays

Tuition: $175 a year, plus uniform
Grades 4-6

Canto Voce is the name given to one of three treble voiced ensembles of the GCCC program. This ensemble is open to boys and girls in grades 4 through 6 who demonstrate the ability to sing with others by matching pitch and express a desire to develop their vocal potential. The choir performs unison and 2-part literature which covers a wide variety of musical styles and time periods. Rehearsals focus on vocal skill development, ear training, sight singing, and performance preparation.

Accordo Voce

“Harmonizing Voices”

Director: Kayla Skjervheim
Accompanist: Cassel Everson
Rehearsal Time: 6:45 – 8:00 p.m. Thursdays

Grades 5-6
Tuition: $225 a year, plus uniform

Accordo Voce is the name given to one of three treble voiced ensembles of the GCCC program. This ensemble is open to boys and girls in grades 4 through 6 who demonstrate the ability to harmonize as well as sing independently of others. The choir performs 2 and 3-part treble literature which covers a wide variety of musical styles and time periods. Rehearsals focus on vocal skill development, ear training, sight singing, and performance preparation.

Primo Voce

“Principal Voices”

Director: Melanie Popejoy, Amy DeWitt, Jack Boyer
Accompanist: Alyce Stokke
Rehearsal Time: 6:45 – 8:45 p.m. Thursdays

Grades 7-9
Tuition: $275 a year, plus uniform

Primo Voce is the name given to one of the mixed ensembles of the GCCC program. This ensemble is open to singers in grades 7 through 9 who demonstrate the ability to sing in tune with others, a basic knowledge of vocal technique, and self discipline. The choir performs 2, 3, and 4-part literature which covers a wide variety of musical styles and time periods. Rehearsals will focus on vocal skill development, ear training, sight singing, and performance preparation.