San Francisco Girls Chorus
San Francisco Girls Chorus is a non-profit organization founded in 1978 by Elizabeth Appling. With six levels and more than 300 members, the SFCG is one of the San Francisco Bay Area's finest choral organizations. The current artistic director is Susan McMane.
Chorus School
The Chorus School of SFGC is made up of four levels: Level I- The first level teaches girls basic music theory skills and basic singing technique. This level sings in unison and sometimes two parts. Level II-In the second level, girls delve into slightly harder theory and music. In this level, girls start to learn choreography to go along to one of their pieces. This level sings in two-parts, sometimes three. Level III-In the third level, girls get into even harder theory and music. The girls sing in three parts, mainly. Level IV-The fourth, last, and probably most important level. In level four, girls learn the hardest theory and sing in four parts, sometimes three. The girls endure a strenuous Christmas season and then go on to sing many more concerts than in the other three levels. At the end of the season, girls must pass an exam before being considered for graduation from the chorus school. If graduated, the girls can either audition for the Chorus' premier ensemble, return to level IV, or leave the Chorus. During levels one through three, the girls can either attend an East Bay program or the San Francisco program. In Level IV, all the girls must go to San Francisco for rehearsals.
Chorissima and Virtuose
Chorissima
Chorissima is the touring and recording ensemble of the Chorus. Since the ensemble is the highest, all the time spent in the Chorus School is preparing the girls for Chorissima and for their singing future. Chorissima has been on international tours to Italy, Japan, the Baltics. China, and other countries. In summer 2005, Chorissima was featured in the World Choral Symposium in Kyoto, Japan. Once members of Chorissima turn sixteen, or finish their sophomore year in high school, they laureate. Laureation is the process of becoming an alum of the chorus. One must be an alum to be in Virtuose.
Virtuose
Virtuose is the final ensemble that one can be a member of in the Chorus. Virtuose tends to do smaller gigs and concerts, although they are featured in all the Christmas concerts that Chorissima does, and some other concerts with Chorissima as well. Virtuose is a very exclusive ensemble, with under twenty members every season.
Recordings
CDs put out by the Chorus:
- I Never Saw Another Butterfly
- A San Francisco Christmas
- Crossroads
- Music from the Venitian Ospedali