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The mission of the Pennsylvania Girlchoir (PG) is to offer world-class choral music education and performance opportunities to young women from diverse economic, racial and ethnic backgrounds while nurturing leadership skills, building character, and encouraging self-discipline. Your daughter will be a part of a diverse group of young women who have many different backgrounds and interests but who share a mutual talent for singing and a love of music. What is expected of PG members? Girls who are admitted to PG have demonstrated a certain level of musical aptitude and commitment to advanced music-making. Members are expected to sing and behave professionally whenever they are representing PG. The young women are expected to arrive promptly for all rehearsals, performances and PG events; to treat all members of the PG family with respect; and to have fun! Leonard Bernstein said that music-making should be fun all the time. Although we work very hard, we strive always to have fun making the music, both in rehearsal and performance. It is our hope that as the young women progress through the various levels of the PG organization, they will understand more and more the depth of enjoyment and fun which results from disciplined and rigorous rehearsals, and focused performances. Do all the choir members travel? No. Participation in PG national and international concert tours is a privilege, and is reserved for members of the Motet Choir who:have completed at least one year in PG, meet the highest musical standards, have an exemplary rehearsal and performance attendance record, and exhibit professional behavior in rehearsals, performances and other PG events throughout the season. Also, girls who participate in a travelling tour must be able to handle all of the demands of the travelling experience in a mature, professional manner. Travelling tours are not the centerpiece of the PG experience. Each choir has opportunities for a variety of performances, both independently and with the other PG choirs. Occasionally the Troubadours and Trouvères choirs may join the Motets for local and regional "run-out" performances throughout the regular season. How much is tuition? Tuition for the 2007-2008 season is $650. A non-refundable deposit of $50 is due by August 1, 2007. A discounted rate of $625 will apply if the balance of tuition is paid in full by September 15, 2007; otherwise, tuition may be paid in two installments: $300 due by September 15, 2007 and $300 due by January 15, 2007. In addition, there is formal and informal attire to be purchased at the beginning of the concert season. Attire costs average about $150.00. Is scholarship funding available? There is a limited amount of tuition scholarship funding available for those with a financial need. Click here to download information about Commonwealth Youthchoirs scholarships, and click here to download a scholarship application form, or pick one up at the choir office. Deadline for tuition scholarship applications is August 1, 2007. Where does the choir rehearse? Pennsylvania Girlchoir rehearses at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill (Philadelphia). The church is located at 8855 Germantown Avenue, 19118; directly west of the Chestnut Hill Hospital, and east of Norwood-Fontbonne Academy. Enter the driveway which is adjacent to the hospital exit and proceed around the church building to the rear parking lot. Enter through the glass door entrance next to the handicapped parking area of the parking lot.