Voices in the Laurel is a non-profit, regional choir program for singers in 1st through 12th grades who pass an audition. The choirs currently have members from Haywood, Buncombe, Jackson, and Swain Counties. The groups rehearse on Tuesday evenings beginning August 25, at Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church. The concert season runs from late August through April, and includes four ticketed local concerts with optional performance tour or festival opportunities during the summer. Treble Makers, a new addition to Voices last year, is for singers in first and second grades. An audition is not required for this group; however, new singers are encouraged to set up a time to sing for the director during audition times. Concert Choir is for singers in 3rd through 6th grade. Chamber Choir is for singers with unchanged voices in 6th through 12th grades. Members of the latter must pass an audition.
Choristers are committed to weekly rehearsals and at least four major performances per year. In addition, choristers are offered the opportunity to travel and perform during a tour each summer.
Voices in the Laurel choristers pay a yearly tuition. This fee helps cover basic costs. Other expenses are met through fundraisers in which both choristers and parents play a role, and through grants and donations from private and corporate sources. The parents of each chorister are asked to accept some operational responsibility for the choir, appropriate to his or her interest, ability and commitments.
