Community Arts Programs

Townsend School of Music invests in the lives of children in our community. Community arts programs help aspiring musicians to sing in a first-level choir, take private lessons from university and community professionals, and learn the basics of music reading and composition.

Founded in September of 2005, the Mercer University Children's Choir is a community arts initiative of the Townsend-McAfee Institute Graduate Studies in Church Music at Mercer University's Townsend School of Music. The Mercer University Children's Choir involves 65 singers in two auditioned choirs. The Preparatory Choir (Ages 7 - 9) is a training choir that performs a limited number of concerts in Middle Georgia, and helps young singers develop healthy singing and performance skills. The Touring Choir (Ages 9-15) is a performance choir that sings throughout Georgia and conducts an annual out-of-state concert tour. The singers learn to read music, use proper vocal technique, develop creativity, form healthy relationships, and give an artistic gift to the community.

Auditions for the 2007-08 year have closed.

Audition Requirements:

• Students must be between the ages of 7 – 15.
• Students will need to come with a parent or guardian at any time during the audition period, complete an audition form, and audition. We will audition singers in the order in which they come.
• Singers will be asked to sing a simple song (a familiar hymn or "Happy Birthday").
• Singers will be asked to read a melodic line, clap a rhythmic passage, or echo sing.
• Singers will vocalize with a piano to find their range.

Additional Information

• Rehearsals are at the McCorkle Music Building every Thursday from 4:15 PM – 5:45 PM (5:30 PM for the Preparatory Choir).
• Cost – Tuition for the Touring Choir is $150 per semester. Tuition for the Preparatory Choir is $125 per semester. The MUCC is committed to music making for every child. Scholarships funds are limited and available on a need basis. Scholarship forms will be available at the audition.
• The Touring Choir will conduct a concert tour to New York City in June of 2008.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact Dr. John Simons, Artistic Director of the Mercer University Children's Choir, at
(478) 301-4012 or simons_je@mercer.edu