KCC Information

Knoxville Children's Choir

Information

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE AND LOCATION

KCC rehearses on Thursday evenings at the University of Tennessee School of Music. The choir as a
whole rehearses from 5:30-7:30 and its Advanced Ensemble continues rehearsal until 8:30. The
choir also rehearses one Saturday each month from 9:00 a.m. noon.

SUPPLEMENTAL REHEARSALS

In organizations such as ours, every year is different, and sometimes performance opportunities
come out of the blue! In addition, preparing an hour-long spring production is a huge undertaking
that requires a great deal of preparation. We will, therefore, need to have occasional supplemental
rehearsals as we prepare for particular engagements, and ask that you do your best to attend when
an extra rehearsal is called. They will generally be held on Tuesday evenings or Saturday mornings
at a location to be arranged. We will endeavor to have no more than two extra rehearsals in any
given month except prior to our spring performances, when there may be consecutive Saturdays
and/or Tuesdays. (Remember, there is an extra Saturday rehearsal every month, August through
May.) We appreciate your cooperation as we strive for excellence.

REHEARSAL DRESS

Members should wear comfortable school clothing to rehearsal, except on special occasions when we
will request that members wear KCC T-shirts.

KCC "KICK-OFF" CAMP

We will hold a kick-off camp in August to get the year started right! This camp is included in your
tuition fees, and is required attendance for all choir members who are in town. It will be an intensive
week of rehearsals allowing us to get a jump-start on our holiday material. It¹s a fun-filled week of
activities to help us get to know one another. KCC kick off week will be held at the University of
Tennessee music building, the week of August 2-7, Monday-Friday 5:30-8:30 pm, and Saturday
morning 9-12:00. MARK YOUR CALENDARS! There will be a parent/chorister meeting Saturday
morning at 10:30, at which time we will review details of the season and sign the required
commitment forms. Information regarding fundraisers (starting in October) and our end-of-year
trip will be distributed and discussed. The meeting will conclude by 12:00.

PERFORMANCE PLANS

The choir will spend the Christmas/holiday season sharing our ³musical holiday cheer² at various
locations around town, finishing out the holiday season with two performances with the Knoxville
Symphony Orchestra (See long range calendar).

In January, rehearsals begin for a spectacular KCC production to be presented in May to area school
children and the community at large. Professional sound and lighting technicians, combined with
our cast of ³semi-pros² will make this concert a must-see event! Children who begin the rehearsal
season with us are required to commit to season performances. It is unacceptable to rehearse for four
months and then decide not to perform. Preparation for arts events is different from preparation
for, for instance, soccer or wrestling. The big "pay off" comes after months of work in art, where with
sports, the "pay off" comes at weekly games. Perseverance is essential! Promotion of such events will
begin this summer and any ideas, input or ³influence² you may have in the area of bookings,
performance opportunities, etc....., is always welcome.

CONCERT DRESS

Dress requirements for the holiday season vary from year to year. We have, in our collection, formal
concert apparel and Victorian costumes. Also, for some of our outings, a³ Christmas casual² look is
more appropriate. (festive Christmas sweaters hats, scarves, etc.). Rental fees for the formal and
Victorian costumes are included in your registration fee. You will need to provide appropriate
hosiery, shoes and accessories for these costumes as well as your ³Christmas casual² outfits. All KCC
costumes must be turned in at the end of the holiday performance season and will be refitted when
the new season begins in August 2005.

BEHAVIOR

We like to maintain a light-hearted, fun environment in our rehearsals, however, becoming a
performer requires concentration and self-discipline. Rehearsals will begin promptly at 5:30pm
(unless otherwise noted) and will be active and intense. We expect members to exhibit appropriate
behavior, demonstrating respect for their instructors and their peers (which includes cooperation,
participation, enthusiasm and attitude!). Consequences of inappropriate behavior may range from
time-out during rehearsals to loss of solos or other member privileges, including possible removal
from a performance! Should a member be asked to leave the choir permanently, there will be no
monetary refund.

In cases of misbehavior, members will first be given a warning by their instructor. A second offense
during the same rehearsal will require that the child be removed from rehearsal and a call home
will follow. If the same disruptive behavior occurs at subsequent rehearsals, the child will be put on
probation and the parents will be notified. If the undesirable behavior continues, the child will be
dismissed from the program with no monetary refund.

We believe morale is best built in a positive work environment and that parents as well as choir
members and instructors make a big difference! We ask that all participants in our program strive
toward the positive, avoiding the backbiting, negative comparisons that can so easily destroy the
joyful environment we strive to build. We encourage attitudes of GRATEFULNESS, focusing on the
wonderful opportunities we have to share our gifts with our community!

SELECTION OF SOLOISTS AND SPECIAL EVENTS

We strive to be fair and impartial in the selection of soloists, featured small groups, special speakers,
etc. We will, however, have the final word in these matters, keeping in mind the overall quality of
our performance, the attitude of those being considered, our long-range plans, and the particular
strengths of each choir member. Thank you for your support where these rather tedious and
sometimes sensitive matters are concerned.

On rare occasions we are honored with opportunities to provide children for special concert events,
such as an opera with the Knoxville Opera Company, or a concert with a celebrity who might be in
town. They may require 10 voices or 100, depending on their needs. We will choose children,
according to voice part and vocal quality for the particular venue and, most importantly, attitude
and dependability. Members who are selected will be required to attend all rehearsals outside of
regular KCC rehearsal time, along with all scheduled performances. An understudy will replace any
child who is selected and chooses not to attend slated rehearsals and performances. It is imperative
that our company is reliable and professional, and that we maintain attitudes of gratefulness for
opportunities that come our way.

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Please do your best to see that your child rehearses regularly at home, arrives at rehearsals on
time, and is prompt and prepared for all performances. Don¹t forget to contact Cheryl if your child
will be tardy or absent from a rehearsal or performance.

2. Please see that tuition payments are paid on time.

3. From time to time Cheryl may have need of your assistance in performing simple clerical tasks,
making phone calls, costume fitting, helping out at fund-raisers, etc. We hope you will be willing to
pitch in when you are available. We will have sign up sheets for helpers at the parent meeting on
August 7.

4. It is unacceptable for choristers to drop out mid-season. We spend months creating ³pieces of art²
to present at the end of the semester. It creates a hardship for us when we cannot count on our
singers to ³finish the painting² before they decide to move on to another project. Please encourage
your child to follow through in his/her commitment to our organization.

Please be aware that while we perform in big fancy venues, we are not a big fancy company with loads
of corporate sponsors and a huge active board of directors. We are a small company! All clerical
work, bookkeeping, filing, phoning (and the list goes on and on) are done by Teresa, Jill, Kristi and
Cheryl along with your volunteer help. Please stand with us as we strive to provide something
wonderful for our children and for our community. We are the only organization of our kind in the
area!

KCC STAFF

In addition to occasional guest instructors, conductors and clinicians, KCC has a regular staff of
highly qualified professionals:

- Teresa Scoggins, Artistic Director

- Dr. Jill Lagerberg, Co-Director

- Mary Lou O¹Hern, Artistic Advisor

- Cheryl Sheridan, Administrative Assistant

- Kristi Hall, Business Manager

- Reese Ann Wyatt, Costume Mistress

KCC BOARD

Dr. Angela Batey, University of Tennessee Associate Director of Choral Activities

Ms. Tammie Newsome, Dean, American Guild of Organists

Mr. Wilbur Reid, Johnson Bible College, Director of Public and Alumni Relations

Dr. Debra Sousa, University of Tennessee, School of Music Instructor of Music Education

Dr. David Stutzenberger, University of Tennessee Director of Choral Activities

FEES

Fees - Read below and bring any questions to Teresa or Cheryl.

- Please make checks payable to KCC.

- Registration fee - The one-time $150 registration fee covers costume rental, one KCC T-shirt, sheet
music and general operating expenses. Registration fees are due August 7, 2004. A processing fee of
$25.00 is immediately non-refundable, the balance of the Registration fees are non-refundable
after August 30, 2004.

- Tuition fees - cover staff salaries and monthly overhead. Tuition fees are $600 for the year for
advanced choir members, and $500 for the year for standard choir members. The year¹s tuition is
split into four equal payments; $150 for advanced, $125 for standard. The due dates for these
payments are: September 4, 2004, November 6, 2004, January 8, 2005, and March 4, 2005.

FINANCIAL AIDE

We have very little allowance for scholarships, however we will do our best to work with you in
special situations. Please do not hesitate to contact Teresa privately with ANY financial concern. We
will do our best to work with you. We are actively seeking corporate and individual contributions
toward a scholarship fund. Spread the word!

MARY LOU O'HERN SCHOLARSHIP FUND

This scholarship fund has been established in honor of KCC¹s founder, Mary Lou O¹Hern. We are very
excited to be able to offer scholarships to deserving children. Would you consider making a
tax-deductible donation to the MLO fund? Your gift of any amount would be greatly appreciated.
Making a donation is easy! Just indicate on your registration form the amount you would like to
donate and add that amount to your registration fee! Be sure to indicate the amount of the donation
on your check memo as well. Thank you!

OTHER EXPENSES

- KCC sweatshirts are available for children or adults for $20.00 - this is optional. See Cheryl

if you would like to place an order. All orders must be in by August 21, 2003.

- Members are encouraged to purchase a "walk-man" or similar style portable, personal battery
operated tape player with headphones for use during the week for home or car rehearsal. Parents
and siblings will quickly tire of listening to your rehearsal tape

- Members need to purchase a one inch 3 ring binder with pockets.

MUSIC

Choristers are required to take care of all music, considering the expense involved. All marks in the
music must be neat and legible. Torn music may be taped. Lost music charge is $3.00 per piece. A list
of all music distributed will be in each chorister¹s folder and every child will be assigned a music
number. Choristers need to bring 2 sharpened pencils and their folders to every rehearsal.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance at all rehearsals, concerts, tours, etc. is necessary if we are to maintain our standards
and achieve our goals. The only acceptable excuses are illness, a family emergency or a required
school event that extends into an evening rehearsal.

If a chorister is absent more than three times in a semester for any reason, the chorister and parent
must speak with Teresa before returning to rehearsals.

MANDATORY EVENTS

Dress Rehearsals and performances are mandatory. Failure to attend these events will result in
dismissal from the choir. Exceptions: School event or extreme illness or family emergency.

It is important to make it clear that EVERY student/family who has made the choice to be a KCC
member will have other activities arise that the member may wish to participate in. We will do our
best to cooperate with you when conflicts arise (particularly for Saturday morning sports conflicts),
but we expect that you will make KCC a priority if your singer expects to get to perform when show
time rolls around. Before signing your commitment form or signing up for other activities, please
check your KCC long-range calendar carefully.

TARDINESS AND ABSENCES

As parents ourselves, we understand your hectic schedules. We understand that you will have
scheduling conflicts from time to time. Please contact Cheryl at 577-7990 or 257-1791 or you can
e-mail her at Cheryl@knoxchildchoir.org if you know you will be late or absent for a rehearsal.
Chronic tardiness and absenteeism may result in loss of rehearsal privilege, or removal from a
particular performance. Starting this year, if a chorister is tardy 3 times that will count as 1
absence. A chorister must be in the rehearsal room ready to begin at 5:30 or they will be counted
tardy. Our rehearsals will be packed with material, guest speakers and skill-building activities.
Thanks for your cooperation!

Choir members who have more than 3 absences in a rehearsal season (August-December and
January-May) will not be permitted to perform, unless special arrangements are made with Teresa
and Dr. J, and/or the child passes a solo exam on all music. What we are doing in our organization is
not of average difficulty! We don't simply "learn songs": We are training "vocal athletes,² solid
musicians, and ensemble singers. It is important that every family consider our standards before
committing to the program.

ANNUAL TRIP

Each year we take a 3-5 day trip in early June. Along with a public performance or two we have all
kinds of fun! Past years have included excursions to Asheville, Orlando, the Bahamas, New York,
Boston, Cincinnati, Williamsburg and Chicago. We¹d like to see our whole choir travel. As always our
major trip considerations are:

€ Cost!

€ Safety - travel escort, night security in hotels, etc.

€ Tour highlights - balance "fun" activities with educational hot spots

€ Quality performance venues

We will give you extensive details during kick-off week so you can make your plans and financial
arrangements immediately. There will be at least two fund raisers to help pay for your trip.

QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

At any time throughout the year, please do not hesitate to communicate any questions or concerns
you may have. It is important to us that we take care of any misunderstanding or problem early on
to avoid the potential repercussions of unresolved resentment and conflict. Teresa may be reached
at 560-9186, or before or after any KCC rehearsal or function. Cheryl may be reached at 577-7990 or
at choir rehearsals. Remember: We cannot address your concerns if you do not let them be known!
Your children are very important to us! We do ask that you reserve any lengthy concerns to a time
outside of rehearsals.

THANKS! THANKS! THANKS!

Thank you for considering KCC for your musical performance activity! We are committed to
providing an excellent program for Knoxville area youth and feel very fortunate that you have
entrusted us with your children. The benefits of a program such as this will last a lifetime! Please
remember: You have joined a TEAM. We train together. We sweat together. We PERFORM together
and we have FUN together.

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