Cape Cod Music Classes

Cape Cod Children's Chorus of the Cape Cod Conservatory
Sing, Learn, Achieve, Enjoy!
Artistic Director: John Yankee

The Cape Cod Children's Chorus is a new and dynamic group directed by John Yankee, artistic director of the Falmouth Chorale. Students experience the power and joy of choral music while pursuing the highest levels of excellence in vocal training and musicianship. We seek to enrich the lives of each and every student, share our music throughout the region, and build a reputation not only on the Cape, but beyond.

At each level of this sequential program, children learn healthy vocal technique, incorporating posture, breath support, vocal placement, head voice and diction. Music literacy is fostered in order to develop greater sight singing, ear training and interpretative skills.

Students experience and perform a variety of musical styles and historic periods, including folk, world, popular and classical songs. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to discover and uncover more about themselves and their "natural instrument," while making new friends, joyful music, and terrific memories.

Junior Choir for ages 8-12 is a preparatory group that introduces children to the world of choral singing (mostly unison and 2-part), solfege, and fundamental musical concepts. The only requirements for participation are a sense of adventure, a desire to sing, and a willingness to learn! 

Concert Choir for ages 10-14 is the flagship group of the Cape Cod Children's Chorus.  Young students are exposed to more advanced concepts of vocal production, ensemble singing, musicianship and theory. Singers gain the knowledge and confidence needed to rehearse and perform with joy in public.  See below for placement interviews for the spring semester.

Placement Interviews for new students who wish to join the fall session of the Concert Choir will be held by appointment on the following schedule: 
Falmouth Campus: Saturday, September 7, 9:00-10:30am by appointment. Call 508.540.0611.
Barnstable Campus: Saturday, September 7, 11:30am-1:00pm by appointment. Call 508.362.2772.

Placement Interviews are one-on-one sessions with the Director. These 10-minute sessions are conducted in a personable, supportive atmosphere.  

Candidates should be prepared to sing the refrain to "America the Beautiful" from memory, unaccompanied, starting on a pitch of their own choosing.
         "America, America, God shed His grace on thee;
          And crown thy good with brotherhood, From sea to shining sea."

In addition, students will be asked to sing simple exercises to determine abilities in pitch-matching, melodic memory, vocal range, tone quality, music-reading, attitude, aptitude and potential. Come with a smile and simply do your best!

Program Leadership
A dynamic and versatile musician, John Yankee leads a program of diverse and exciting repertoire in rehearsals and performances throughout the academic year.  Mr. Yankee is artistic director of Falmouth Chorale, conductor of Falmouth Chamber Players Orchestra, music director at John Wesley United Methodist Church, choral director at Falmouth Academy, and he conducted the Cape Cod Opera for two seasons. He plays in the Woods Hole Folk Orchestra, performs on hammered dulcimer, coaches ensembles, teaches privately, offers a wide variety of workshops, and leads numerous community sings. He has a long affiliation with the Walden School for young composers and has written music in a wide variety of genres. Prior to coming to Cape Cod in September 2007, Mr. Yankee served as artistic director of the San Diego Choral Union and Children's Choir, and also founded and directed the Children's Chorus of Telluride and theTelluride Choral Society.  He earned a Bachelor of Music Degree at Peabody Conservatory and Master's degrees at Yale School of Music.