Walton Arts Center is planning a fun choral week for children ages 7-12 (June 15-19) under the direction of Mary Ann Pickard.
This summer intensive offers an enriched musical experience for young singers, with engaging repertoire and exceptional vocal instruction by some of Northwest Arkansas’ finest professional musicians.
The intensive is open to all boys and girls regardless of experience level; however, in order to participate – each child is required to audition. Auditions are scheduled to take place Saturday, April 11 in Walton Arts Center’s Starr Theatre from 1:00-3:00pm.
Mary Ann Pickard, a graduate from the University of Tennessee Music Department, will be directing the summer intensive and hosting the audition. Her extensive background includes a major in piano, a minor in voice, post-graduate study with Helen Kemp and advanced certification in Orff and Kodaly methodology. Mary Ann is also a former music instructor at Arkansas Department of Music and former director of the University of Arkansas Children’s Choirs.
Under her direction, the Summer Choir Intensive will hone participant’s choral singing skills and teach them how to sing expressively using movement, harmony, Orff instruments and solfege. The Choir Intensive will also conclude with a final concert for family and friends.
The fee to participate in the Summer Choir Intensive week is $75. Tuition assistance is available for families with demonstrated need. Assistance forms will be available at the audition.
About the audition process:
Singers are asked to arrive at Starr Theatre anytime between 1:00 and 3:00pm on April 11 and will meet one-on-one with the director on a first come, first serve basis. Singers will be asked to echo a rhythm by clapping, match pitch to voice and piano, and sing Happy Birthday. The actual audition will take about 10 minutes.
Parents and youth can access the audition registration form and additional information on the Summer Choir Intensive by visiting www.waltonartscenter.org.
