Time Commitment

Families are required to sign a participation contract at the beginning of each season which is a commitment to excellent attendance and full participation for one entire season. In the unusual case that circumstances prevent a choir member from honoring the commitment, one of two things is expected:

1. A choir member and her parent/guardian may write a petition to the choir manager and choir director to be excused from a required performance or tour without dismissal from the program. The petition must state the unusual circumstances and specific reasons for the request. The petition must be received by the first stated tour payment date for each choir. The director and/or Board of Directors will consider and act upon the request.
2. A choir member and her parent(s) may write a letter of resignation and the family remains responsible for the tuition fee for the entire season. LAGC expenses and plans are based on the number of girls accepted for each choir. If a member leaves the choir mid-season, our costs do not change. Families who must relocate or withdraw from participation as a result of other extreme circumstances may include in the letter a request for a pro-rated tuition refund. Choir members who leave the program mid-season without the approval of the director and/or Board of Directors will not be considered for future membership in LAGC.

Weekly Rehearsals

Choirs meet every Monday evening for rehearsal. Canzonetta rehearsals are from 6:00pm - 7:00pm. Melodia rehearsals are from 7:15pm - 8:30pm. Cantare rehearsals are from 6:15pm - 8:30pm.

Da Capo

“Da Capo” is our late-August kick-off event for parents and members, both old and new! This is a time to meet the staff and board of directors, learn about the LAGC season to come, and complete registration. The choirs have introductory meetings and parents receive additional information.

Fall Retreat

The LAGC season includes a half-day Fall Camp for all choir members near the beginning of each season. Each choir member is expected to attend the camp. (See attendance policy) Fall Camp is a valuable opportunity for musical, organization, and social team-building for the choirs.

Winter and Spring Concerts

The Lake Agassiz Girls Choir presents two major concerts each season. The first concert is usually in December and the final concert is held in May. LAGC concerts are designed to showcase our choirs in a developmentally appropriate performance opportunity. The concerts are an important part of the cultural life of our community. In addition, concerts provide the opportunity for choir members and their families to share in the artistic progress of each choir in our program. LAGC hires a professional videographer to record the concerts and DVDs are made available to members as an optional purchase.

Winter Retreat

The LAGC season includes a half-day Winter Retreat for all choir members. This fun winter activity is designed to strengthen skills and provide intensive rehearsal time, recreation, and team-building activities. Participation is required since several hours are devoted to the rehearsal of new repertoire.

Additional Performances and Activities

Additional performances and extra rehearsals are scheduled as much in advance as possible to allow choir members time to clear their calendars and plan accordingly. All choirs take a day-tour of schools and a choir tour. The choirs occasionally perform at events such as conventions, banquets, sports events, community celebrations, and festivals. In addition to performances, the girls enjoy getting together a few times each year for social activities.

Tours

The Lake Agassiz Girls Choir is committed to providing a tour experience as part of our program. Canzonetta takes a one-day tour each season and Melodia tours are usually three days long. Cantare tours typically last about five days during the school year, or may be longer if scheduled in the summer. Additional group travel may be considered in order to accommodate LAGC participation in festivals or other performance opportunities.

All LAGC members are strongly encouraged to participate in the tour because the enrichment opportunity is an integral part of our program! In addition, each choir is able to offer its best performance with all members participating. However, participation in tour is not required in order to participate in LAGC. Families who do not plan to participate are asked to contact the choir manager or director as soon as possible and definitely no later than the deadline date of the first tour payment. This early information is important to the tour budget because the number of participants impacts the price for all. In addition, this helps the directors to choose repertoire that can be successful with fewer singers if necessary.