PIEDMONT EAST BAY CHILDREN’S CHOIR TO HOLD FALL AUDITIONS AUGUST 27

OAKLAND, CA, August 3, 2016 — Spontaneous joy and singing spectacular music is, once again, in the air as Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir (PEBCC) launches its 34th season by inviting young singers to audition for one of the 13 award-winning choirs on Saturday, August 27 at the Veterans’ Memorial Building in Piedmont. Placement auditions are for new students and are by appointment only. Parents should call the Choir offices at 510.547.4441 to schedule a time.  (Students in the Kinder, GT1 levels and returning students do not need to audition). See www.piedmontchoirs.org for more information.

Recently honored with 5 first-place Gold “Best Of 2016” awards from the coveted Parents Press, PEBCC is one among the many music organizations in the area that offers a comprehensive program for boys and girls from ages 0 -18. Recent reports suggest that exposure to music at an early age helps children to develop concentration and memory skills, gain higher self-confidence and self-esteem, develop better motor skills and improve social skills — all through the joy of singing.

Boys and girls learn proper singing technique, breathe control, diction, and articulation in a fun, nurturing and graceful way. Young children perform at recitals and in concerts with the older groups in the Performing Department. For all singers, there are opportunities to go on retreats to Walker Creek Ranch, take class with guest conductors, sing at public venues throughout the year and then go to Summer Camp! The two older choirs, Ensemble and Concert Choir, tour internationally and nationally each year — a hallmark of the organization — and are often joined by Ancora. Ecco tours every 2-3 years as well.

“What puts this organization a step above, is our expert and committed faculty, our dedication to commissioning new works, and engaging our students with the many cultures and countries of the world through our international touring program and through our Golden Gate International Choral Festival,” said Robert Geary, the Founding Artistic Director.

Under Geary’s baton, PEBCC has won the prestigious “Chorus America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming an unprecedented three times. Among the other numerous awards earned by PEBCC are the Grand Prix Award from “International Youth Music Festival in Bratislava” (sweeping the Jazz, Spiritual and Gospel, Contemporary Music and Children’s Choir categories), First Prize in Contemporary Music from “Kathaumixw International Choral Festival,” and triple gold at the “Hong Kong International Children’s Choral Festival” (including Folk Music, Contemporary and Children’s Choir categories).