Central Valley Youth Chorus Family Handbook 25-26

Our mission is to empower young singers to discover their spirit of creativity, compassion, and teamwork through the transformative art of choral music.

Welcome to Central Valley Youth Chorus!

We are looking forward to a memorable season and are thrilled to have your singers in CVYC! We applaud your decision to involve your children in the musical community. 

The Central Valley Youth Chorus is a quality well-rounded choral music program for children grades 1-8. Children are introduced to a diverse and engaging repertoire ranging from folk music to classical choral pieces. Our goal within CVYC is to have multiple ensembles involving grades K-12, based on voicing, age and grade level, and ability and experience. It will be exciting to see us grow!

Choral singing is both an individual and a group musical experience. In CVYC, children will gain the tools to sing in tune and the ability to read music, while learning the basics of good vocal technique. At the same time, they learn to sing as part of an ensemble and experience the power of a shared musical experience. CVYC wil present two formal concerts each year, as well as a variety of smaller appearances around the Central Valley.

The Basics

Rehearsals - All chorus members should bring their music in their music folder, a pencil and water bottle to each rehearsal. Please be on time, seated, and ready to go at the start of rehearsal. Eating food or chewing gum is not permitted during rehearsal. Singers’ cell phones must be turned off and stowed away during rehearsals.

Music Folders - Music and the music folders are the property and responsibility of CVYC. Singers will be charged $20.00 for lost or damaged music. Students return music at the last rehearsal of the season.

Behavior - Every singer should be dedicated to making each rehearsal a success. Disruptive behavior on the part of one child can ruin the experience for the entire group. Continuing disruptive behavior is grounds for dismissal from CVYC. Please see Singer Contract for further details regarding behavior.

Safety - We keep emergency contact and health information on file for each singer. Guardians will need to check singers in at dropoff and check them out at pickup by initialing an attendance form. 

Parent Observation and Volunteers - Parents are welcome to sit outside the rehearsal room and listen to rehearsals! We do need quiet, so as not to disturb the rehearsal. Please silence any cell phones, pagers etc, and avoid conversations in or near the rehearsal room.

Parent involvement is crucial to the success of CVYC. Our parent volunteers work to keep our events coordinated, safe, and fun for all of our families. There will be a parent meeting at the beginning of each season to share volunteer opportunities. We always need rehearsal greeters and parent monitors!

Commitment - The Board recommends that each singer participate in CVYC for both our Fall and Spring seasons for the 2024-25 year, and beyond! This will allow members to gain the full benefit of a sequential learning experience. 

Tuition + Financial Information

Tuition for our Fall Season (August - December) is $85 for Melody singers and $100 for Harmoney singers, due at the time of enrollment.

Should extenuating circumstances occur causing a student to withdraw, the CVYC Board and Staff may retain a portion of the tuition already invested for the season’s instructional expenses.

In addition to tuition, the rest of our budget is met through donations, grants, and various fundraising events. CVYC families are invited to support the choir by participating in these fundraisers.

CVYC will also do its best to work with families who request a scholarship. A limited number of partial or full need-based scholarships are available, awarded by the Scholarship Committee. 

Calendar

You’ll find a calendar of rehearsals and concerts for the 2025-26 season in your music binder or on the website here. Please mark these dates in your family calendar. Throughout the season, updated informational flyers will come home with your singer. Please watch for these flyers! 

Attendance

At Central Valley Youth Chorus (CVYC), we believe that faithful attendance is the foundation of every singer’s success. Our goal is to create an environment where every singer can thrive — and that starts with reliability, responsibility, and respect for the group.

1. Attendance Expectations

Regular attendance at all rehearsals and performances is required for every singer.

  • Be on time: Singers should arrive a few minutes early so they are ready to begin when rehearsal starts.

  • Stay until dismissed: All singers are expected to remain for the full rehearsal unless excused by staff.

  • Be prompt for pick-up: Please plan to pick up your child as soon as rehearsal ends. Repeated late pick-ups may result in a supervision fee, as staff must remain on site until every singer is safely picked up.

. Reporting Absences

  • Advance Notice: All foreseeable absences (appointments, family events, etc.) must be reported at least two weeks in advance via written note or email to hello@centralvalleyyouthchorus.org

  • Emergencies and Illness: In the event of sudden illness or emergency, notify CVYC Staff as soon as possible prior to the rehearsal or performance by phone message or email.

  • Unexcused Absences: Failure to provide notice will result in an unexcused absence.

3. Absence Limits

  • Singers are allowed a maximum of two excused absences per concert cycle (from the first rehearsal to the performance).

  • More than two absences, excused or unexcused, may result in the singer being asked not to perform in the upcoming concert.

  • Two unexcused absences within a concert cycle may result in probation or dismissal from the chorus.

4. Tardiness Policy

  • Definition: A singer is considered tardy if they arrive after rehearsal has begun.

  • Impact: Frequent tardiness disrupts the ensemble and rehearsal flow; therefore, three instances of tardiness will be counted as one absence.

  • Repeated Tardiness: If a singer is tardy more than three times within a concert cycle, CVYC Staff may:

    • Issue a written warning to the singer and parent/guardian.

    • Require a meeting with staff to discuss continued participation.

    • In cases of ongoing lateness, the singer may lose performance privileges or be dismissed from the program.

5. Mandatory Final Rehearsals

  • Attendance at the final two rehearsals before any performance is required without exception.

  • Missing either of these rehearsals may disqualify the singer from participating in the concert.

6. Commitment and Accountability

Participation in CVYC is a commitment to your fellow singers and to musical excellence. By enrolling in the chorus, singers and parents agree to uphold this attendance policy.

Responsibilities for Singers

To assist in learning the performance pieces, CVYC members will be asked to study their music at home with the help of audio files provided. This will help to make rehearsals more successful!

In addition, we are committed to teaching the fundamentals of music education so that CVYC members become literate musicians. We are excited about this education element and its lifelong value.  

Concert Attire

The Central Valley Youth Chorus ensembles are required to wear concert attire for performances. While we respect and value individuality, at performance time we dress similarly to show that we are part of a team!

Attire for the semester will be as follows:

  • CVYC t-shirt (provided to the singers), to be tucked in

  • Black pants

  • Solid black close-toed shoes

  • Black socks

  • Hair pulled back and off of face

  • Neutral nail polish, minimal jewelry, and plain belts

  • No visible hair accessories

How We Communicate

Our main channel of communication is via email to all families, and postings on our website www.centralvalleyyouthchorus.org. We also encourage regular use of our website. There you will find information on rehearsals, concerts, and holidays as posted on our calendar, as well as useful information about our choral program. We also encourage you to follow @centralvalleyyouthchorus on Instagram and Facebook, and visit our website often.

Continuing Registration

At the beginning of each season, all singers must register online, even if they have sung with CVYC in previous seasons. We need this information entered through the website so that all current and relevant information is captured in our database, including emergency contact information. If changes occur during the year, please notify us. It is especially important that we have a current phone and email address for each family. We do not share information with other organizations.

CVYC is a Nonprofit Organization

Central Valley Youth Chorus was founded in the fall of 2023 by several passionate and dedicated individuals. We are a 501C(3) non-profit organization.

Today, CVYC is run by a Board of Directors who meet regularly to guide the group’s business and programs. We currently employ an Artistic Director and an Accompanist.

Questions

We are happy to answer your questions! Please contact a member of the CVYC Staff or Board before or after rehearsal, email us at hello@centralvalleyyouthchorus.org, or send a message via the contact page on our website. Please be sure to review our FAQ page, as you may find answers there as well.