About the choir

Leadership: Athens Area Children’s Choir is a program of the Athens Area Council for the Arts. The choir is directed by Karen Malone, a private piano instructor and music director at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Athens. She is assisted by Ellen Kimball, executive director emeritus of the AACA, who also serves as accompanist. Parents are invited to serve on the choir’s steering committee. ›Current members: Ashleigh Turner, Camden Parr, Caroline Ingram, Cecilia Blackledge, Claire Offutt, Emily Offutt, Emma Blackledge, Emma Wilson, Emmy McKenzie, George Wilson, Gracie Harrison, Kaydann Bennard, Lauren Luallen, Loren Whidby, Madelyn Tallent, Marlaina Huggins, Mary Hall, Miriam Offutt, Natalie Leonesio, Nikki Lawrence, Sarah Hall, Walker Combs and Wesley Graybeal.

Auditions: Singers in grades 4-9 are needed to fill available spots in the Athens Area Children’s Choir. Try-outs are at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, and 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12. The current ensemble debuts tonight, Sept. 8, when PBS sensation Annie Moses Band opens Athens Area Council for the Arts’ 2016-17 Big Time/Small Town Performance Season. Advance registration is not required to audition, though interested singers are encouraged to call The Arts Center at 423-745-8781 to sign up. Those auditioning should come prepared to sing a song (bring sheet music, an accompaniment CD or iPod, or be ready to sing a cappella). Interested singers unable to attend auditions should call for an appointment. There’s no charge to audition, but there are registration and monthly tuition fees. Limited partial scholarships are available.