Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When did you start the choir?
A. We launched in the fall of 2022, after postponements due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We kicked off the season with a successful summer camp followed by our first choir season! Our 2022-2023 inaugural year was incredibly rewarding and more successful than we dreamed! We finished the season with 38 enthusiastic choristers and several wonderful performances and partnerships.
Q. Where are your rehearsals & camps? When and where are your performances?
A. We are so grateful to be holding our rehearsals and camps at the James Island Arts & Cultural Center, located at 1248 Camp Road, Charleston, SC. Our performance venues vary according to the event. We have utilized venues such as area social halls and churches for our previous concerts, and we've had a few performances as guest artists at special events at outdoor venues. We will have one large Spring Concert in March 2024. In addition, we will have several other collaborations & community performances in December, May and early June. Exact event dates will be shared as soon as possible. Our choral retreats previously took place at The Ashley Conference Center at James Island County Park.
Q. What kind of music will you be performing?
A. We are an independent secular community choir, unaffiliated with any school our church. Our repertoire includes an eclectic range of music, such as folk, jazz, world, musical theatre, Americana, pop and traditional choral pieces. Our goal is to choose music that shares messages of peace, hope, love and justice!
Q. Does my child need to be able to read music to be accepted?
A. Music literacy is not a requirement, but it is helpful. Our curriculum will include instruction in music literacy.
Q. Can I book the choir for a performance?
A. We are looking forward to expanding our local performances opportunities! Please direct any inquiries to palmettoyouthchoir@gmail.com
Q. Do you offer scholarships?
A. Yes! A limited number of scholarships are available to students who have the financial need and demonstrate passion and dedication. See the Youth Choir page for details.
Q. Can my child with special needs participate?
A. We warmly welcome any student who loves to sing, wants to be considered for the choir and can meet our minimum musical standards. Together with the parents, we can assess their readiness to join the choir. If a child needs regular individual assistance we ask that a parent/caregiver remain with the child at all times during rehearsals and performances, as we have a limited staff at this point in time.
Q. Are there any additional costs besides the tuition and enrollment fee?
A. Families will be asked to provide performance attire based on our guidelines, or at times purchase a t-shirt, but it need not be expensive. Tickets to our concerts must be purchased by all in attendance; This is how we help offset the high cost of renting a performance venue. Other opportunities may occasionally be offered, such as merchandise, workshops, special events or recordings, etc. but these are optional.
Q. Are there any volunteering requirements for students or parents/caregivers?
A. We will need parent volunteers for choral retreats, dress rehearsals and performances, etc. and enthusiastically welcome your assistance. Once your child enrolls, you will receive more information about our specific needs. We plan to incorporate a fun community service component to our choir. Students will be asked to participate if they are available. Parents/caregivers are not required to volunteer, but they're invited and welcome to do so.
Q. Can I make a donation, and will it be tax-deductible?
A. Any donations, in-kind donations, advertising sponsorships, etc. are not tax deductible at this time; although as a new arts organization, we certainly welcome your support!
Q. I'm still worried about the COVID-19 pandemic. What policies and safety measures are in place?
We take seriously the health and safety of our choir family and our community. We will follow recommended safety protocols to strive for safety for our students and directors. Masks are optional for the foreseeable future, but requested if you think you've been exposed to any communicable illness. We don't currently require masks for singers and staff/volunteers (although they are welcome if that is your choice.) We are not currently practicing social distancing. We have hand sanitizer readily available and encourage its use. Students should not come to rehearsal if they are sick, or have been recently exposed to COVID-19. Students who develop a persistent cough or fever during rehearsal will be sent home. If a new COVID-19 infection is reported by one of our families, we will contact our choir community as soon as possible. If we need to shift to a virtual format temporarily, we are prepared to do that, as have many choirs throughout the world during recent times. We will provide regular updates and communications, monitoring changes and everyone's comfort level as needed. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. This policy is subject to change.
A. We launched in the fall of 2022, after postponements due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We kicked off the season with a successful summer camp followed by our first choir season! Our 2022-2023 inaugural year was incredibly rewarding and more successful than we dreamed! We finished the season with 38 enthusiastic choristers and several wonderful performances and partnerships.
Q. Where are your rehearsals & camps? When and where are your performances?
A. We are so grateful to be holding our rehearsals and camps at the James Island Arts & Cultural Center, located at 1248 Camp Road, Charleston, SC. Our performance venues vary according to the event. We have utilized venues such as area social halls and churches for our previous concerts, and we've had a few performances as guest artists at special events at outdoor venues. We will have one large Spring Concert in March 2024. In addition, we will have several other collaborations & community performances in December, May and early June. Exact event dates will be shared as soon as possible. Our choral retreats previously took place at The Ashley Conference Center at James Island County Park.
Q. What kind of music will you be performing?
A. We are an independent secular community choir, unaffiliated with any school our church. Our repertoire includes an eclectic range of music, such as folk, jazz, world, musical theatre, Americana, pop and traditional choral pieces. Our goal is to choose music that shares messages of peace, hope, love and justice!
Q. Does my child need to be able to read music to be accepted?
A. Music literacy is not a requirement, but it is helpful. Our curriculum will include instruction in music literacy.
Q. Can I book the choir for a performance?
A. We are looking forward to expanding our local performances opportunities! Please direct any inquiries to palmettoyouthchoir@gmail.com
Q. Do you offer scholarships?
A. Yes! A limited number of scholarships are available to students who have the financial need and demonstrate passion and dedication. See the Youth Choir page for details.
Q. Can my child with special needs participate?
A. We warmly welcome any student who loves to sing, wants to be considered for the choir and can meet our minimum musical standards. Together with the parents, we can assess their readiness to join the choir. If a child needs regular individual assistance we ask that a parent/caregiver remain with the child at all times during rehearsals and performances, as we have a limited staff at this point in time.
Q. Are there any additional costs besides the tuition and enrollment fee?
A. Families will be asked to provide performance attire based on our guidelines, or at times purchase a t-shirt, but it need not be expensive. Tickets to our concerts must be purchased by all in attendance; This is how we help offset the high cost of renting a performance venue. Other opportunities may occasionally be offered, such as merchandise, workshops, special events or recordings, etc. but these are optional.
Q. Are there any volunteering requirements for students or parents/caregivers?
A. We will need parent volunteers for choral retreats, dress rehearsals and performances, etc. and enthusiastically welcome your assistance. Once your child enrolls, you will receive more information about our specific needs. We plan to incorporate a fun community service component to our choir. Students will be asked to participate if they are available. Parents/caregivers are not required to volunteer, but they're invited and welcome to do so.
Q. Can I make a donation, and will it be tax-deductible?
A. Any donations, in-kind donations, advertising sponsorships, etc. are not tax deductible at this time; although as a new arts organization, we certainly welcome your support!
Q. I'm still worried about the COVID-19 pandemic. What policies and safety measures are in place?
We take seriously the health and safety of our choir family and our community. We will follow recommended safety protocols to strive for safety for our students and directors. Masks are optional for the foreseeable future, but requested if you think you've been exposed to any communicable illness. We don't currently require masks for singers and staff/volunteers (although they are welcome if that is your choice.) We are not currently practicing social distancing. We have hand sanitizer readily available and encourage its use. Students should not come to rehearsal if they are sick, or have been recently exposed to COVID-19. Students who develop a persistent cough or fever during rehearsal will be sent home. If a new COVID-19 infection is reported by one of our families, we will contact our choir community as soon as possible. If we need to shift to a virtual format temporarily, we are prepared to do that, as have many choirs throughout the world during recent times. We will provide regular updates and communications, monitoring changes and everyone's comfort level as needed. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. This policy is subject to change.
Other Policies: Click HERE to view our basic policies on Conduct, Attendance, Dress Code and more. All choir members will receive our Family Handbook, which provides more details.
If you have additional questions contact us!