Keystone State Boychoir Group Overview
Candidates for Graduate Choir

Candidates for Graduate Choir are young men who are far enough along in the voice change that they can sing safely at performance level in the an adult tenor or bass range. Graduate Candidates spend a semester earning the KSB Graduate pin. Candidates rehearse with the Graduate Choir on Saturdays, learning the new repertoire for the current semester. They also rehearse earlier on Saturday mornings with the Baritones, during which time they work on passing Candidacy requirements: learning and memorizing the KSB “Standard Repertoire” (including music and movement) and showing proficiency in all areas of KSB Singer-Musicianship. A young man typically spends one semester as a Graduate Candidate, although more semesters are possible depending on progress.

Induction: At the end of the semester the Candidate receives his Graduate Pin during a special Induction Ceremony with the other members of his class at the annual Alumni Breakfast (fall semester) or the KSB Grad concert (spring concert).

Big Brother-Little Brother: Graduate Candidates are assigned a Big Brother: a member of the Graduate Choir who is the same voice part as the Candidate. The Big Brother sits next to the Little Brother on Saturdays, guiding him throughout the rehearsal. The parents of the Big Brother serve as a Mentor Parent to the parents of the Little Brother. The Parent Mentor can serve as a resource to the Candidate Parent.

Rehearsals: A Candidate for the Graduate Choir rehearses on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the rehearsal home of KSB, the First Presbyterian Church in Germantown. (FPCG)

Performances: Graduate Candidates perform at the KSB Holiday and Spring Concerts, at the annual Graduate Concert, and some “non-CY” concerts. Once they are members of the Graduate Choir, they perform many more often.

Absence / Make-up Policy: Each Saturday rehearsal consists of two sessions: the first runs from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm and is for learning the standard and new repertoire; the second runs from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm and is for learning TB repertoire. A missed Saturday requires two Sunday make-up rehearsal. If a young man misses half a Saturday rehearsal, one Sunday night make-up rehearsals is required. In addition to the allotted missed rehearsal(s) each semester, juniors and seniors may miss an additional rehearsal per season in order to take the SAT exam. Please see the KSB Attendance Policy addendum for further details.

Concert Tour: Once a Graduate Candidate has earned his pin and becomes a member of the Graduate Choir, he is eligible to be considered for participation in the annual KSB concert tour. However, factors such as seniority and age are heavily considered.