Frequently Asked Questions

How will my daughter benefit by being a member of the Pennsylvania Girlchoir?
What is expected of PG members?
Do all the choir members travel?
How much is tuition?
Is scholarship funding available?
Where does the choir rehearse?
What is Commonwealth Youthchoirs?

How will my daughter benefit by being a member of the Pennsylvania Girlchoir?

The mission of the Pennsylvania Girlchoir (PG) is provide superior choral music education and performance opportunities for young people from diverse economic, racial and ethnic backgrounds and to pursue artistic excellence that inspires performers and audiences alike.

Your daughter will be a part of a diverse group of young women who have many different backgrounds and interests but who share a mutual talent for singing and a love of music.

What is expected of PG members?

Girls who are admitted to PG have demonstrated a certain level of musical aptitude and commitment to advanced music-making. Members are expected to sing and behave professionally whenever they are representing PG. The young women are expected to arrive promptly for all rehearsals, performances and PG events; to treat all members of the PG family with respect; and to have fun!

Leonard Bernstein said that music-making should be fun all the time. Although we work very hard, we strive always to have fun making the music, both in rehearsal and performance. It is our hope that as the young women progress through the various levels of the PG organization, they will understand more and more the depth of enjoyment and fun which results from disciplined and rigorous rehearsals, and focused performances.

Do all the choir members travel?

No. Participation in PG national and international concert tours is a privilege, and is reserved for members of the Motet Choir who:

have completed at least one year in PG,

meet the highest musical standards,

have an exemplary rehearsal and performance attendance record, and

exhibit professional behavior in rehearsals, performances and other PG events throughout the season.

Also, girls who participate in a travelling tour must be able to handle all of the demands of the travelling experience in a mature, professional manner.

Travelling tours are not the centerpiece of the PG experience. Each choir has opportunities for a variety of performances, both independently and with the other PG choirs. Occasionally the Troubadours and Trouvères choirs may join the Motets for local and regional "run-out" performances throughout the regular season.

How much is tuition?

Tuition for the 2011-2012 season is $700 for singers in the Schola Cantorum and Kantorei choirs, and $800 for singers in the Troubadours, Trouvères, and Motet choirs. A non-refundable deposit of $50 is due by August 1, 2011. Those who pay the balance in full by September 15, 2011 may deduct $25 from the total -- after the $50 deposit, the balance would be $625 for Schola Cantorum and Kantorei singers, and $725 for Troubadours, Trouvères, and Motet singers. Otherwise, tuition may be paid in two installments of $325 (Schola and Kantorei) or $375 (Motets, T&Ts), the first due by September 15, 2011 and the second by January 15, 2012. In addition, there is formal and informal attire to be purchased at the beginning of the concert season. Attire costs average about $150.00.

Is scholarship funding available?

There is a limited amount of tuition scholarship funding available for those with a financial need. Click here to download information about Commonwealth Youthchoirs scholarships, and click here to download a scholarship application form, or pick one up at the choir office. Deadline for tuition scholarship applications is August 1, 2009.

Where does the choir rehearse?

Pennsylvania Girlchoir rehearses at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill (Philadelphia). The church is located at 8855 Germantown Avenue, 19118; directly west of the Chestnut Hill Hospital, and east of Norwood-Fontbonne Academy. Enter the driveway which is adjacent to the hospital exit and proceed around the church building to the rear parking lot. Enter through the glass door entrance next to the handicapped parking area of the parking lot.

What is Commonwealth Youthchoirs?

The Commonwealth Youthchoirs is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit umbrella organization under which the Keystone State Boychoir and Pennsylvania Girlchoir operate.

The main offices are located at 35 West Chelten Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144. 215.849.1762.

Visit www.commonwealthyouthchoirs.org for more information. Click here to see the many corporations, foundations and government agencies that provide support to Commonwealth Youthchoirs.