Mobile's Singing Children

Additional summer audition dates to be announced!

MSC — Sun, 20 May 2012 13:32:22 +0000

Yes! We still have openings for new singers, so we will be scheduling additional audition dates over the summer.

MSC performed at Disney World in June of 2011

If you are interested in auditioning, just shoot us a note via our “contact us” page. We will contact you as soon as our audition schedule is updated.

We’ve had a great response to our call for auditions and Mrs. Hoitt has auditioned some really talented kids. We are all super excited about seeing that talent developed! We are all excited about all the new singers joining us for the 2012-13 season!

Preparatory & Intermezzo Choirs at Somerby

T. O. — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 01:19:44 +0000

Our Preparatory and Intermezzo choirs delivered a wonderful performance for the residents of Somerby yesterday. Here are a few of the many snapshots taken.

Mobile’s Singing Children — Giving Back

T. O. — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 01:13:17 +0000

Members of Mobile’s Singing Children are anxious to thank the residents, businesses and religious communities along the Gulf Coast who have supported us throughout our 35 year history. Because of the support we receive in the form of donations, use of facilities, and support of our fundraising efforts, we are fortunate to have had the opportunity to have touched many lives through our program of classical choral instruction and performance. It is in this spirit that we chose “Giving Back” as our 2011-12 theme.

It is in the spirit of giving back to the community that we are lending our voices to Victory Health Partners. The Mobile’s Singing Children Concert Choir will perform during the Victory Health Partners second annual Hope for Healing Banquet. This banquet is a fundraising effort to benefit Victory Health Partners, an organization who provides “faith based healthcare for low income, uninsured adults”.

We invite you to learn more about Victory Health Partners by visiting their website at www.victoryhealth.org. Those interested in joining us on May 3rd can visit the Hope for Healing Page to learn more about purchasing banquet tickets, a table, or becoming a corporate sponsor for the event.

You’re invited! Join us at our 35th Anniversary Spring Concert.

T. O. — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:01:11 +0000

Mobile’s Singing Children
35th Anniversary Spring Concert
Saturday, May 12, 2012 ~ 7:00 p.m.
St. Joseph Chapel ~ Spring Hill College

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Mobile’s Singing Children will be presenting our 35^th Anniversary Spring Concert on May 12th at 7pm. The concert will be in beautiful St. Joesph Chapel on the campus of Spring Hill College. Admission is free, and no ticket is required.

The performance will feature selections from concerts presented over the last 35 years, as well as include new music selected specifically for 2012. All four MSC ensembles will perform. The choirs will sing music from many different composers including Bach, Pote, Stroope, along with folk songs and spirituals. Attendees will hear pieces in Latin, Zulu, Hebrew and, of course, English. The accompaniment will include piano, flute, violin, brass, and percussion. All of this will be sung in the beautiful acoustics of St. Joseph’s Chapel, which is an ideal venue for the children’s angelic voices.

The concert is open to the public and no ticket is required. We invite you to join us as we celebrate our 35th year of making beautiful music!

Susan Hoitt, Director

Auditions Dates for 2012-13 and FAQ’s

MSC — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:44:08 +0000

Mobile’s Singing Children will be conducting auditions for the 2012-2013 season on the following dates:

April 28, 2012
May 5, 2012
May 19, 2012

Boys and girls entering grades 2 through 12 are invited to audition. To schedule an audition, parents should contact MSC in one of three ways:

Send an email to mobilesingingchildren@gmail.com.
Telephone us at 251-285-2285.
Use the “Contact Us” form on this website.

When contacting us, please include a parent or guardian’s name, phone number, and email address, the child’s name, age and grade, as well as your preferred audition date (4/28, 5/5 or 5/19.) You will be contacted to schedule a specific audition appointment.

Neither parents or children should find the audition process intimidating. Below are some FAQ’s about our auditions.

Does my child need to prepare for an audition?

Generally, no. The audition will be one-on-one with our director, and the singer will not be asked to sing from a stage or audition for a group.

During the audition the potential singer will be asked to perform several exercises which will be used to determine selection for Mobile’s Singing Children. They will be asked to sing, however it will be something they know, like Happy Birthday or a song from school or church. The singer will be evaluated for musical ability and potential, as well as for focus and ability to follow and respond to instructions. Parents should expect the student to make mistakes; part of the process is to evaluate how the child accepts instruction to correct the mistakes. The student may also be questioned about musical experience. If the child plays an instrument or has any prior experience, they may be asked questions to determine their knowledge of music theory.

Concert Choir members are almost exclusively chosen from internal auditions. If a child has prior experience with a classical choral group or private voice training, and would like to audition for immediate placement into the Concert Choir, they should speak with the director prior to their audition. Additionally, high school students wishing to audition for Encore! should speak with the director prior to the audition.

Is prior musical experience required?

No. Mobile’s Singing Children consists of four choirs, which allows for an appropriate placement based on multiple criteria, including prior musical experience. Each spring, singers may audition to be promoted to the next level for the next season. Most singers spend one or two seasons in each of the training choirs.

The Preparatory Choir is a training choir for those singers who need to develop their musical skills and gain more experience with rehearsal/performance situations. The choir aims to instill good vocal habits and build reading skills in its singers. Unison part singing and music theory class is part of the curriculum.

The Intermezzo Choir is for singers who are more experienced in using their vocal instrument. This choir aims to instill good vocal habits and to continue reading skills in its singers. Two-part and three-part singing is introduced. Music theory class is part of the curriculum.

The Concert Choir is the Gulf Coast’s premier independent community chorus. This choir is for exceptionally talented young singers in 5th – 12th grade with treble voices. It aims to challenge its members with a wide range of literature and performance experiences. Singers in this choir have demonstrated excellent vocal artistry and musical skill for their age, as well as a fine sense of responsibility and behavior. This choir is the main touring group of Mobile’s Singing Children, and as such members are expected to participate in summer tours, unless excused by the director.

Encore! is for High School singers with one or more years of experience. Some Encore! singers have been members of Mobile’s Singing Children in another ensemble. Some Encore! singers have no previous MSC experience, but may have trained in a church choir, or school choir, for example.

When are rehearsals?

Preparatory or Intermezzo choir rehearse weekly, on Tuesday’s from 4pm to 6pm. Rehearsals are held throughout the “school year”.

What happens during a rehearsal?

During the rehearsals singers receive classical voice instruction as well as a 20-30 minute music theory lesson. Mobile’s Singing Children is committed to teaching proper voice technique, appropriate for a child’s vocal development. Just as with training on a musical instrument, with a solid vocal foundation, this training is transferable to any type of music a child may wish to sing. MSC is truly training the singer to use their voice as an instrument.

Our annual “Open House” is the perfect time sit in on a rehearsal and learn more about MSC. Watch this website, as well as the Mobile Register for our 2012 “Open House” date to be announced. During the open house, parents and students can sit in on a rehearsal and theory class, meet singers, and talk to parents about MSC. (Note: all potential singers MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian.)

Second Chance on Pecan Orders!

MSC — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:51:47 +0000

Second chance on ordering Pecans benefiting Mobile’s Singing Children! We are placing a 2nd order, which we hope to have in early next week, still in time for Thanksgiving. Pecan halves or pieces are $12 / pound. Full cases (24 lbs of halves or 24 lbs of pieces) can be drop shipped directly to you! The pecans are great, and the one pound bags make great gifts!

You can place an order by contacting an MSC member, sending an email to mobilesingingchildren@gmail.com, or calling 251-285-2285.

Pecan Update: Halves or Pieces?

MSC — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 19:27:11 +0000

Do you prefer pecan halves or pieces? We’ve found that many people prefer pieces for baking, and are asking our singers for them. So, for the first time, we are making them available! Order your holiday pecans from a member of Mobile’s Singing Children. Our price of $10 / one pound bag is the same as the “grocery store” price and you are helping our organization.

To place an order, contact a MSC member or send an email to mobilesingingchildren@gmail.com.

Pecans! Pecans! Pecans!

MSC — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:50:46 +0000

Support Mobile’s Singing Children and prepare for your holiday baking, all at the same time! Purchase your holiday pecans from a member of Mobile’s Singing Children.

Our singers are selling one pound bags of “Fancy Mammoth” Pecan halves. These pecans are recognized year after year for being of the highest quality, with exceptional taste. One pound bags sell for $10 each and will be delivered in time for holiday baking.

Contact your favorite MSC member, or call (251) 285-2285 for more information.

MSC’s “From the Top” Performance to be rebroadcast Thursday, September 1st

MSC — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:00:46 +0000

In 2009 MSC was featured on National Public Radio’s national radio show, “From The Top”. This Thursday, September 1^st at 9:00pm, the episode featuring MSC will be rebroadcast statewide on Alabama Public Radio stations, as well as via the APR website. The rebroadcast is immediately preceded by the current “From the Top” episode.

Parent Council President, Tish Odom, was interviewed by APR in conjunction with rebroadcast. The interview will be aired Thursday morning at approximately 7:35am.

To listen:

Listen online by visiting apr.org. Scroll about 1/3 of the way down the page and click on the APR HD1 button on the left side of the screen. A small file will need to install.
Mobilians can tune into 91.3 FM on your radio.
Listeners from other parts of the state can visit apr.org for a list of APR radio stations.

Announcing Our 35th Anniversary Season!

MSC — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 18:17:48 +0000

Mobile’s Singing Children is celebrating a very special anniversary season with several extra special concerts and guest performances.

35th Anniversary Christmas Concert - December 3, 2011

Our season will begin with our 35th Anniversary Christmas Concert on December 3rd. The concert will be held at 7:00pm at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Mobile. Our concert will feature MSC alumna, Laura Bowden, mezzo-soprano, as well as other special alumni.

“Magic Christmas in Lights” – December 6, 2011

Mobile’s Singing Children’s Preparatory and Intermezzo Choirs, as well as Encore! will perform at Bellingrath Gardens “Magic Christmas in Lights”.

“Home for the Holidays” – December 10, 2011 and December 11, 2011

Mobile’s Singing Children will be guests of Mobile Symphony Orchestra for a favorite holiday tradition, “Home for the Holidays”. Performances are at the Saenger Theater at 8:00pm on Saturday, December 10th and 2:30pm on Sunday, December 11th. Tickets are available through Mobile Symphony’s Online Box Office.

“Turandot” – March 30, 2012 and April 1, 2012

As the Children’s Chorus for Mobile Opera, Mobile’s Singing Children is thrilled to participate in The Opera’s production of Turandot. Performances will be at the Mobile Civic Center Theater. The Friday, March 30th performance begins at 8:00pm and the Sunday, April 1st matinée begins at 2:30pm.

“Carmina Burana” – April 14, 2011 and April 15, 2012

Mobile’s Singing Children is once again thrilled to have accepted MSO’s invitation to be their guests in their production of Carmina Burana. Performances will be at Mobile’s Saenger Theater on April 14th and 15th, at 8pm and 2:30pm, respectively.