Curricular Choirs

The Batavia High School band program consists of five curricular concert choirs, plus our special needs choir, “BFF”. Choir classes serve between 120-210 students per year, usually around 8-10% of the Batavia High School population. Performance-based classes meet year-round and all are taught on the block schedule. Each student is placed into a 9th grade ensemble as a freshman. Upperclassmen choirs are assigned by Mr. Barsch. All choirs perform in at least three home concerts each year. 

Chorale:

The usual starting point for incoming students, Chorale assumes no prior experience. Students will be taught technique and theory in ways that help them make music together. Depending on enrollment, Chorale can be mixed with Treble and Bass voices, or we often have multiple sections of Chorale with voices separated by Treble or Bass. This class is mostly 9th graders, but does contain some 10-12 graders. Voice lessons are optional. 

Varsity Choir: 

The next level up from Chorale, students in Varsity have successfully demonstrated the basics. Students in Varsity aspire to the top groups, and hold each other accountable more than Chorale. Varsity is usually Treble voices, but can be mixed Treble & Bass if enrollment merits it. This class is mostly 10-12 graders. Voice lessons are optional. 

Treble Choir: 

The next level up from Varsity, students in Treble have not only demonstrated mastery of the basics, but they have also shown dedication to their craft and willingness to challenge themselves to improve. Students in Treble Choir have more individual responsibility expected of them from the teacher and from each other. Most members of Treble Choir perform at Festival of Carols (our madrigal event) every December. Voice lessons are still optional, but many of the students in Treble Choir take them. Treble Choir is exclusively made of up students with Treble Voices. This class is mostly 11-12 graders. 

Chamber Singers:

The next level up from Treble Choir, students in Chamber are not only the most motivated, but they have also demonstrated excellence in sightreading, theory, and tone quality, and have shown through their rehearsal technique that they are excited to be challenged with the most engaged rehearsal environment. 

Students in Chamber Singers have more individual responsibility expected of them from the teacher and from each other. Members of Chamber Singers are expected to perform at Festival of Carols (our madrigal event) every December and audition for the ILMEA District 9 festival in the Fall. Voice lessons are still optional, but many of the students in Chamber Singers take them. Chamber Singers is limited in size, such that they usually have 4-6 sopranos, altos, tenors & basses in a balanced ensemble. This class is mostly 12 graders. 

Information about auditioning and joining the Batavia choirs can be found HERE.