Do you ever wonder what happens behind the scenes at Seattle Girls Choir?
Then this blog is for you.
Here you will find notes from our Artistic Director, guest columns from alumnae, families, and faculty, sneak peeks into the rehearsal process, travel diaries from tours and competitions, and much more.
Upcoming Concerts – December 2024
SGC is thrilled to have so many performances coming up this December! Here is a rundown of some of the different concerts you won’t want to miss. These can all … Read more
A note from our Artistic Director
Last month we welcomed nearly 250 families back to rehearsals! I’ve loved connecting with so many choir families, new and returning, every afternoon. Through these conversations, I’ve heard many success … Read more
Reflecting on SGC’s 2023-2024 Season
A season of passion, dedication, and growth Dear SGC community, As our 2023-2024 choir season draws to a close, we’d like to share some reflections on the year with you … Read more
Welcoming Community: A Class of 2024 Senior Essay
Julia Wright Nathan Hale High School, Class of 2024 Post-graduation plans: Attend University of Nevada, Reno to study Education I walked in the doors of Volunteer Park Seventh-day Adventist Church … Read more
Contrasting Reminiscences: A Class of 2024 Senior Essay
Lilliana Wald Ballard High School, Class of 2024 Post-graduation plans: Attending Western Washington University studying Music Education The first time I went to overnight camp as part of Prime Voci, … Read more
When People Listen: A Class of 2024 Senior Essay
Sophie Nash Ballard High School, Class of 2024 Accomplishments: After winning the local regional WMEA solo competition for Alto voice in both 2022 and 2024, Sophie competed at state both … Read more
Force of Sisterhood: A Class of 2024 Senior Essay
Josie O’Brien Bellevue High School, Class of 2024 Accomplishments: Youngest member to join Seattle Pro Musica Post-graduation plans: Deferring college acceptance for a gap year, working at SGC next year … Read more
Inspiring Others: A Class of 2024 Senior Essay
Frances Alls Hillside Student Community School, Class of 2024 Post-graduation plans: Attending Southern Oregon University studying Theater This isn’t going to start the way you think it might; for a … Read more
SGC Welcomes new Executive Director
Seattle Girls Choir is excited to welcome Lauren Kastanas into her new role as our Executive Director! Lauren was chosen from a set of highly qualified candidates after a national … Read more
A Look Back on the 2022-2023 Season
Another great year has come to a close, and we’d like to share some highlights with our community! The dedication and talent of our choristers, along with the support from … Read more
An Opportunity Not Only to Learn but to Lead: A Class of 2023 Senior Essay
By Adrian Rattray Beginning to describe how SGC has changed me feels like a massive question to tackle. Growing up, I couldn’t regularly speak until about 6 years old, and … Read more
A Beacon of Light: A Class of 2023 Senior Essay
By Aspen Lillywhite It’s probably not the most glamorous way to start a letter. But I am not the girl you see on stage. I have insecurities that have shoved … Read more
Our Voices Sparked a Flame: A Class of 2023 Senior Essay
By Skye Duplessis Scintillating stars adorn the silhouette of tree branches splayed across the backdrop of night; a garland of galaxy light. Choir camp was consistently the highlight of my … Read more
SGC Welcomes new Artistic Director
Seattle Girls Choir is excited to welcome Sarra Sharif Doyle into her new role as our Artistic Director! Sarra was chosen from a set of gifted candidates after a national search, … Read more
A Look Back on the 2021-2022 Season
Another year of choral education is in the books! And what a year it was. Starting with our summer camp programming, we tentatively made our way back to in-person rehearsals … Read more
Getting Lost in the Music: A Class of 2022 Senior Essay
By Grey Karis-Sconyers Music has always been an important creative outlet for me. I spent most of my childhood singing a little too loudly in school choirs and tormenting my … Read more
A “Senior Essay” from Jacob Winkler
By Jacob Winkler This is an interesting time for all you other graduates, as you are finishing up one stage of your lives (high school) and moving on to the … Read more
Rolling with the Punches: A Class of 2022 Senior Essay
By Xahria Hatch I joined SGC halfway through 8th grade, and let me tell you that was hard. The week after I started rehearsals, everyone else sang The Star Spangled … Read more
Clear and Strong Voices: A Class of 2022 Senior Essay
By Vesi Tsenkova SGC has been an after school staple for me for years now, and choosing a single moment to encompass the entire experience is close to impossible. I … Read more
The Bond Beneath the Song: A Class of 2022 Senior Essay
By Arundati Iyer I sit alone on the dusty, empty riser on a stage in a large hall. I hear the footsteps of another girl who has also arrived early. … Read more
Taken Away at the Sound: A Class of 2022 Senior Essay
By Sonya Fues Ever since I started choir in third grade, I have been completely entranced by the sound of PV singing. I knew, from the first time I heard … Read more
Sense of Community: A Class of 2022 Senior Essay
By Sylvia Lindblad When I first joined SGC in 2013, I was in 4th grade, and I had never been part of an organization like this before. Although I had … Read more
My Entire Understanding of Music Transformed: A Class of 2022 Senior Essay
By Abby Assadi One bright September day in 2017, I waltz through the front doors of the Volunteer Park Seventh Day Adventist Church, ready to start my first day at … Read more
A Special Announcement from our Artistic Director
My Dearest Seattle Girls Choir Friends & Families, I am writing to let you know that the 2021-22 season will be my last with Seattle Girls Choir. I have accepted … Read more
Part of a Beautiful Whole: A Class of 2021 Senior Essay
By Claire Balcom I joined SGC with the least amount of dramatic flair possible. For what would turn out to be a staggeringly life-altering decision, it was one I made … Read more
The most beautiful music: A Class of 2021 Senior Essay
By Amelie Petit Most of the seniors who went to Wales with SGC write about it in their senior essay, and I am no different. We were running on 5 … Read more
Leadership and Integrity: A Class of 2021 Senior Essay
By Ellie Rice I had thought that my senior essay would have to be my final goodbye before I graduate from this organization. After this, I officially wouldn’t get to … Read more
Music Worthy of Creating Lifelong Memories: A Class of 2021 Senior Essay
By Sophia Hillstrom I have been in the Seattle Girls Choir for 9 years. I joined when I was in 4th grade when I started singing with Allegra. My most … Read more
Introducing our Board of Directors Youth Representatives
Last fall, the SGC Board of Directors took an exciting step towards greater integration of youth voice into organizational governance by welcoming three choristers to the team as Youth Representatives. … Read more
A Second Family- Class of 2020 Senior Essay by Lexie Moss
In Summer 2017 in Wales, at the Youth Folk category of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, 28 girls walked onstage. Re-watching this performance, the camera’s distance renders our faces deceptively neutral. In … Read more
“Confidence in Multitudes…” A Class of 2020 Senior Essay by Louise Schiele
I am both grateful and slightly resentful that my parents never enrolled me in an organized activity as a child. Other kids had soccer portraits on the fridge, dance photos … Read more
“I am not afraid to try again…”- Class of 2020 Essay by Eva Zhou
Singing is something almost everyone does. Children sing, performers sing at ballgames, people sing along with the radio in their car…it’s a universal human activity. Because it can seem so … Read more
“An imprint on my life…” -Class of 2020 Senior Essay by Mara Wald
There is absolutely no feeling in the world that can compare to the sensation that follows 28 American, teenaged choristers collectively skipping the second verse of Suite Judy Blue Eyes … Read more
“A Sisterhood for Life”- Class of 2020 Senior Essay by Isabella Martinez
Needless to say I did not anticipate my SGC career ending prematurely on account of a viral pandemic but alas, life continues to prove itself unpredictable. Condensing my proudest accomplishments, … Read more
Use Your Voice
Like you all, I’m a singer. And it hurts my heart not to be able to sing with my choir. But I’ve come to realize that singing isn’t the only … Read more
SGC in the News!
Like schools and organizations around the world, the Seattle Girls Choir is adjusting to the massive disruption caused by the COVID-19 crisis. But instead of sitting idle, our young singers … Read more
Rapidly Adapting to Remote Learning
Are we there yet? No, of course. Our rehearsal shutdown will continue through at least April 24. I wanted to give you an update on what the faculty is working … Read more
For the Future of Seattle Girls Choir
Make a donation to Seattle Girls Choir today, and thanks to two generous SGC families your donation will be doubled. Together we can ensure a bright future for Seattle Girls … Read more
SGC’s Top 9 Achievements from 2019
2019 was a big year for Seattle Girls Choir! And as it comes to a close, we wanted to reflect on some of our top moments made possible by our … Read more
Making the Season Bright
We have all heard the phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child.” But when it comes to youth in foster care, the phrase takes on a new meaning. … Read more
A One-Monthiversary Message from Meaghan
Wow, time flies! One month ago, I was stepping into the SGC office for the first time as Stacia processed audition requests, sent out invoices, and set up my desk … Read more
Seattle Girls Choir Welcomes Meaghan Leferink as Executive Director
The Seattle Girls Choir is excited to welcome Meaghan Leferink as our new Executive Director! “We are incredibly happy to welcome Meaghan into the SGC family! Her enthusiasm for the … Read more
Cabaret 2019 Thank You
It was quite a successful night! The annual CABARET did more than just raise money for our choirs. It bonded families, created memories and provided a fun way for the … Read more
Welcoming a New Faculty Member
Dear Seattle Girls Choir Community, I am very excited to introduce our newest faculty member, Jaci Cummings, who will be taking over both Dolcine and Vivissimi in the Fall. In … Read more
Summer Competitions 2018: A Brief History
In a few weeks, Cantamus and Prime Voci will be competing in international music festivals. I thought folks might be curious to know a little about the history of these … Read more
A Look Back on 2017
2017 was a wonderful year for SGC, so let’s look back one last time. Happy New Year to all our friends and families! May 2018 bring you all much health, … Read more
The Importance of Cooperation
We are delighted to introduce our new guest blogger, Kathryn Tewson and her post on Cooperation. It will be the first in a series exploring six different social, organizational, and … Read more
Top Ten Reasons Parents Should LOVE SGC’s Annual Raffle
This week we kick off our 35th Anniversary Raffle here at SGC. If it seems like we just did this a few months ago, you aren’t entirely wrong: we’ve moved … Read more
Programming Sacred Music
I’d like to discuss something that is a tricky subject for a lot of reasons, and that is the inclusion of sacred music in Seattle Girls Choir programming, especially during … Read more