Founded in 1989 as an after-school activity for girls interested in choral music, Princeton Girlchoir has grown into the area’s premier training and performance choir for girls, with over 290 choristers participating each year. The organization is comprised of seven choirs made up of girls from 3rd through 12th grade, drawing singers together from over 75 schools in Central New Jersey and Bucks County. These choirs present music from a wide array of genres, conductors and composers. While honing their musicianship, choristers begin life-long friendships, enjoy professional performance opportunities, and travel the world.
New members are selected each year by audition, beginning in the spring and sometimes continuing into the month of September. Once chosen, our conductors place them into the choir where they will be most successful; this decision is made with some regard to the chorister’s age, but more significantly based on her stage of musical development.
Click on the links below to read more about each of the choir levels:
- Grace Notes – approximately 3rd through 5th grade
- Quarter Notes – approximately 5th through 7th grade
- Semi-Tones – approximately 6th through 9th grade
- Concert Choir – approximately 7th through 10th grade
- Cantores – 10th through 12th grade
- Ensemble – A select chamber group of mostly high school aged girls
Girls are reassessed annually to determine their musical development and choir advancement. See the Redbook for additional information regarding placement and advancement.
Throughout their weekly rehearsals, the choirs grow as a team and work together to create a beautiful ensemble sound. The singers are challenged to develop their active listening, their musical flexibility, and the breadth of their tone palette. The exciting music that the choirs make as a result, and the powerful connections the girls make with one another, make their years with Princeton Girlchoir truly unforgettable.
Princeton Girlchoir has been honored to perform in a wide array of venues for audiences both nationally and internationally. Notable performances include the North American premiere of Tan Dun’s Symphony 1997 with Yo-Yo Ma at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center; multiple appearances at Carnegie Hall; performances for dignitaries such as Hillary Rodham Clinton, Jeb Bush, Rush Holt, and Sandra Day O’Connor; performing the national anthem at several professional sporting events; and appearances at conferences of the American Choral Directors Association, Organization of American Kodály Educators, and NJ Music Educators Association.
