Choral Groups

Odyssey Chorus

Children in second and third grade are invited to participate in Odyssey Chorus, a preparatory choir designed to instill good vocal habits, beginning music reading and appropriate choir behavior. A variety of quality and fun literature is selected to build vocal skills and proficiency in unison and part-reading. This chorus also aims to prepare singers for the Discovery Chorus and provides numerous performance opportunities throughout the school year. Participants are encouraged to attend all rehearsals and performances and to study their music at home. To ensure high quality performances, students are not allowed to miss more than two rehearsals per concert cycle. Students must audition to be accepted into the Odyssey Chorus.

Ages:	Grades 2-3
Director:	Keri Worden
Location:	Zion Lutheran, Hiawatha
Tuition:	$130
Auditions:	Wednesday, September 2 and Thursday, September 3
	4-5:30 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church
	Students audition for Odyssey Chorus by singing America (My Country 'tis of Thee)

Rehearsals are held on Sundays from 3-4 p.m. beginning September 13 with concerts October 18, December 6, and December 13.  Rehearsals resume January 31 with concerts March 7 and the final "Spring Celebration" concert with Discovery Chorus on April 25.

Discovery Chorus

Students in fourth, fifth and sixth grade are invited to audition for Discovery Chorus, a long-standing Symphony School program designed to help young singers become acquainted with quality choral music and build good vocal technique. Approximately 100 students are selected annually by audition and have the opportunity to perform with Orchestra Iowa on three concert cycles throughout the school year. Participants are required to attend all rehearsals and performances and to study their music at home.

Ages:	Grades 4-6
Director:	Amy Hanisch
Location:	Zion Lutheran
Tuition:	$130
Auditions:	Wednesday, September 2 and Thursday, September 3
	4-5:30 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church
	Students auditioning for Discovery Chorus should prepare America the Beautiful
	(Students must audition if they have not previously participated in Discovery Chorus.)

School year rehearsals are held on Sundays from 2:30 - 4 p.m. beginning September 20 with the fall Youth concerts for area fourth graders on Tuesday morning, November 3, and the "Celebration of Carols" concert Saturday evening, December 5 in Cedar Rapids and Sunday afternoon, December 6, in Iowa City. Rehearsals resume February 21 with the final "Spring Celebration" concert with Odyssey Chorus on Sunday afternoon, April 25.

The Discovery Chorus will be featured on Orchestra Iowa's 2009-2010 season opening concert at Brucemore on Saturday, September 12. Rehearsals begin on August 17 and singers are still being accepted. For more information, please contact 319.363.3960.