FAQ
About Spirito
We welcome girls and nonbinary treble singers in grades 2-12 to our Forte, Ragazze and Bravura ensembles. We also welcome men 18+ with changed voices into our Men of Spirito ensemble.
No! We sing all different kinds of music, from classical to pop to musical theater to folk, from all around the world and in dozens of different languages. Our conductors try to expose their singers to as many different kinds of music as possible, so that they can become well-rounded, knowledgable musicians.
Let us help you problem-solve! Most of our singers are also involved in activities outside of Spirito, from sports to dance to musical theater to school clubs and other extra-curriculars.
Our flexible attendance policy is designed to allow for occasional absences while still maintaining the discipline and focus needed to sing at a high level. If you think your child might have an occasional conflict with Spirito activities, reach out to our Artistic Director, Carling FitzSimmons (cfitzsimmons@spiritosingers.org) to have a conversation. Most of the time, we can find a work-around thanks to our amazing section leaders, conductors, and accompanists.
Yes! We have an open-door policy regarding Spirito rehearsals – singers are welcome to visit the appropriate rehearsal for their age group (2nd-4th graders - Forte, 5th-8th graders – Ragazze, 9th-12th graders – Bravura, men 18+ - Men of Spirito) at any point during the semester until 2 weeks before the final concerts. We ask that you let the ensemble director know in advance of your visit, so that we can welcome you and prepare any music you might like to have for the rehearsal.
Bravura, Ragazze, Forte – cfitzsimmons@spiritosingers.org
Men of Spirito – douglaspetersbaritone@gmail.com
Wonderful! We're excited to have your singer join us!
2nd-4th grade singers, rejoice: no audition is required for Forte! Interested singers should contact the Spirito office via phone at 630-581-5440 or email at spirito@spiritosingers.org.
All Ragazze, Bravura, and Men of Spirito singers are required to sing an audition or attend an Open Rehearsal prior to enrollment. Please visit our Auditions Page to register for an audition.
Spirito offers both private and group auditions. Private auditions may be sung via Zoom or in person at our office. Group auditions are scheduled at the beginning of each semester. Spirito auditions are designed to be stress-free, and singers do not need to prepare anything for their audition. Auditioners should be prepared to vocalize to determine range, sing a simple song without accompaniment, and play some ear-training and rhythm games. Auditions will last between 10 and 15 minutes, and parents/guardians must accompany their children to auditions.
Spirito rehearsals and elective classes are fast-paced, engaging, and full of new material each week. Thus, it’s extremely important that singers do their best to be present and punctual for every rehearsal. However, we understand that things come up, and occasional absences are necessary.
Singers are allowed up to 4 absences per semester, which can be taken for any reason. No makeup rehearsals will be available. An excess of 4 absences might result in a singer being excused from an upcoming concert or tour.
Whenever possible, singers should report their absences to their ensemble director and elective class teacher ahead of time so as to find out what they’ll miss and keep up with the class.
If singers miss a rehearsal, they should reach out to their section leader to find out what pieces were covered and get any notes or special instructions from that week.
If a singer is marked tardy to rehearsal or elective three times, it will count as one absence. Singers who arrive at rehearsal after warmups begin are marked tardy.
All singers must attend the mandatory dress rehearsal the week of the concert. Any singer who is absent from the mandatory rehearsal will not be permitted to sing the concert.
All singers must be on-time for their concert call. Any singer who arrives late to the concert call might not be permitted to perform.
Service activities are an integral part of our mission, and allow our singers to share their gifts with our communities. Past service activities have included providing music in worship services, singing at nursing homes and assisted living centers, performing at community events, and volunteering at homeless shelters and food pantries. Service activities are considered mandatory performances and participation is required for all singers within the ensemble(s) serving at that event. Conflicts with service dates should be communicated IMMEDIATELY to the ensemble director.
Registration and Tuition Payments
Forte
$425/season
$250/single semester
Ragazze $865/season $475/single semester
Bravura $965/season $525/single semester
Although the majority of singers sing with us for the entire season, a singer may register for just one semester if they have an unmovable commitment in the Fall or Spring. Questions about enrollment? Please contact Artistic Director Carling FitzSimmons at cfitzsimmons@spiritosingers.org.
Please submit a financial assistance application to cfitzsimmons@spiritosingers.org prior to registration. If you’d like to apply for a full-tuition scholarship, your student will need to complete the scholarship supplement in addition to their financial assistance application. Financial assistance is awarded on a sliding scale and on a first-come, first-served basis. Please visit our Scholarships and Financial Assistance page for more information.
If a singer needs to withdraw from a Spirito ensemble before the end of the semester, the following refund policy will apply:
Singers withdrawing before the first rehearsal will receive a full tuition refund, minus any registration and processing fees.
Singers withdrawing before the third week of rehearsals will receive a 50% tuition refund.
Singers withdrawing after the third week of rehearsals will not receive any refund.
Singers withdrawing on payment plans are subject to the above deadlines.
Registration fees are non-refundable.
Uniforms
Forte singers should wear all black. Shoulders must be covered (short sleeves are fine), and shoes should also be black with low heels. Jewelry should be minimal, and hair pulled away from the singer's face.
Ragazze singers may choose to wear either the uniform gown or the uniform separates for their formal uniform.
GOWN Ragazze black gown (available in youth sizes and adult sizes) hemmed to tea-length (3-4 inches below the knee). Solid black tights for winter; bare legs or nude hose for spring. Solid black dress shoes or black character shoes (minimal heel), minimal jewelry, hair styled away from the face. SEPARATES Black velvet top and palazzo pants, hemmed to the floor. Solid black dress shoes or black character shoes (minimal heel), minimal jewelry, hair styled away from the face.
Bravura singers may choose to wear either the gown or separates for their formal uniform.
GOWN Bravura black gown (available in youth sizes and adult sizes) hemmed to the floor. Gold sash (purchased through Spirito). Solid black dress shoes or black character shoes (minimal heel), minimal jewelry, hair styled away from the face. SEPARATES Black velvet top and palazzo pants, hemmed to the floor. Gold sash (purchased through Spirito). Solid black dress shoes or black character shoes (minimal heel), minimal jewelry, hair styled away from the face.
Forte, Ragazze and Bravura singers wear the same informal uniform. The Spirito T-shirt can be purchased through the Spirito office. UNIFORM Spirito T-shirt, solid blue jeans (no rips or embellishments), sneakers, minimal jewelry, hair styled away from the face.
Singers in the Forte, Ragazze and Bravura ensembles will have two formal uniform options. Either option is acceptable for formal performances such as our winter and spring concerts, service Sundays, and when performing on tour.
Singers are responsible for purchasing and maintaining their own uniforms. Please make sure to measure your child for the correct fit. Uniform ordering information and links can be found in the Uniform FAQ for the desired ensemble.
Singers will also purchase an informal uniform t-shirt. This shirt will be worn at informal performances such as service events, sporting games, and other community performances. Please contact the Spirito office to order a t-shirt.
Men of Spirito are responsible for providing their own suit and shirt. Ties are provided by Spirito.
Yes. Spirito has a small stock of gently-used formal uniforms that singers can purchase at a discount. Singers are welcome to try on the uniforms to find a good fit. Please contact Carling FitzSimmons at cfitzsimmons@spiritosingers.org or Stephanie DiMarco at sdimarco@spiritosingers.org to schedule a fitting.
Yes! Spirito accepts gently-used uniforms for future singers to wear. Please dry clean your uniform and bring it to the office, and we will offer it to future Forte, Ragazze, or Bravura members. Thank you!
Still have questions?
Email us at spirito@spiritosingers.org