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When are rehearsals?

Discovery Choir runs roughly 10-week sessions in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. They rehearse once a week during each session.

Apprentice Choir follows a semester schedule, Fall and Spring, and rehearses once a week during each semester.

Prelude and Lyric Choirs rehearse once a week on Thursday evenings from late-August through May.
Prelude Choir meets 5:00pm-6:15pm.
Lyric Choir meets 6:30pm-8:00pm.

ENCORE runs shorter sessions throughout the year to give older students flexibility to accommodate fluctuating schedules.
Spring ENCORE meets on Thursday evenings, 4:45-6:15pm.


Where are rehearsals held?
Green Level Baptist Church
8509 Green Level Church Rd
Cary, NC 27519


Are you affiliated with the churches you rehearse & perform in?
No. Cary-Apex Youth Choir is an independent music education organization with no religious affiliation.


How many concerts/performances do you have and where are they?
We have two main concerts each year, usually November/December and May, featuring all of our choirs. These concerts are typically on a Saturday afternoon and are held at various locations in the Cary/Apex area.

Prelude & Lyric Choirs typically perform at 1-3 additional local events, which may be added to the calendar after the season begins.
In some years, the choirs may also travel outside the local area for performance/workshops.

Singers from Prelude & Lyric Choir may also have the opportunity to perform the National Anthem at local sporting events.

ENCORE performances are determined each session - refer to the ENCORE page for details on the current session. An emphasis is placed on performing as a means of giving back to the community, such as local retirement/rehab centers.
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Are there other activities beyond rehearsals & performances?
Yes! We provide opportunities to singers and their families to engage in socializing beyond the rehearsal room. We want our choirs to feel like a community, and encourage parents to become involved, as well. The Parent Committee and Student Leadership are in charge of organizing social activities for Prelude & Lyric Choirs, including our annual holiday caroling. Occasional activities may also be available to families of Discovery, Apprentice & Encore.


What is Discovery Choir?
Discovery Choir is an introductory class for grades 1-2. Through various songs and activities, children will begin to build skills in singing, musicianship, and ensemble performance. The class is offered in roughly 10-week sessions, which may be repeated multiple times. Young singers are encouraged to take several sessions of Discovery Choir to gain the foundational skills of ensemble singing. 
​There are no auditions for Discovery Choir. 

What is Apprentice Choir?
Apprentice Choir is a beginner level ensemble that prepares children in grades 3-5 to join our full-season choirs. A focus is placed on developing ensemble singing, listening skills, and musicianship, including introductory music-reading. Singers may register for one or both semesters each year. There are no auditions for Apprentice Choir.

What are the requirements to join Prelude Choir & Lyric Choir?
Prelude & Lyric Choirs are our full-season performing ensembles. These choirs perform at all CAYC major concerts and accept bookings for other performances in the community. All singers wishing to join our full-season choirs must complete a Placement Audition. This is a low-pressure meet-and-greet with the director to assess the singer's current level and recommend the appropriate ensemble for them.

Each year in late-May, we hold a Placement Audition event, which includes a sample rehearsal and small group/individual assessments. This is the best time to audition for the choir! We also offer individual placement audition appointments throughout the summer.

Prelude singers must be able to match pitch and follow instructions in a classroom setting. It is recommended that beginners take Apprentice Choir first before auditioning for Prelude. Lyric singers perform more complex music are expected to learn at a faster pace. Previous experience (singing or instrumental music study) is beneficial to singers' success in Lyric Choir. 

Our full-season choirs require more commitment (see handbook), and families must be prepared to commit to the performance schedule and attendance expectations.


How many rehearsals/performances can I miss?
Because choir is a team activity, attendance is extremely important. Singers in Prelude & Lyric Choir may miss no more than 3 rehearsals in a semester, and some rehearsals are mandatory. Singers in ENCORE may miss no more than 1 rehearsal in a session. Singers are required to attend all performances. In extenuating circumstances, the parents should notify the director at the beginning of the year, or as early as possible, to determine if the singer may be excused.


What is the tuition? Are there any extra fees?
Current tuition fees are listed in each ensemble's webpage.
As singers move through the program, they may need to purchase new performance shirts, specific to their ensemble, for $20 additional fee.
In Prelude & Lyric Choirs, there may be additional costs for extra trips, festivals or activities. The Director will communicate this with singers and their families. ​An installment plan is available for Prelude & Lyric tuition payments.


Do you offer financial assistance?
Yes! We do offer scholarships to those needing financial assistance. We want choir to be accessible to everyone!
Please reach out to info@caryapexyouthchoir.org for information on how to apply.


What do I need to wear for performances?
All singers must have a CAYC performance t-shirt. You will wear this t-shirt to all performances unless otherwise specified.
Along with your choir t-shirt, you will need to wear a pair of solid black pants, black socks or hose, and closed-toe black shoes. 
It will be the responsibility of the singer/their family to cover the cost of these items. 
Because we are a team, singers are expected to dress uniformly for performance (see handbook).


Is there an age-limit for participants?
Once singers are accepted into Lyric Choir, they may stay through all of high school, as long as they are progressing and contributing positively to their ensemble. 9th-12th graders also have the option to apply as a volunteer Rehearsal Assistant. Advanced 8th-12th graders may audition for ENCORE as a supplement or succession to Lyric Choir.


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Discovery & Apprentice Handbook 25-26

Prelude & Lyric Handbook 25-26

ENCORE! Handbook 25-26

"Music is the universal language of mankind."
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow