Cantare
For singers in
Grade 7 – Grade 12
A quick checklist, and a few things worth knowing before you register.
Keep scrolling to see photos and videos from our past seasons!
Enrollment requirements
♫ Passionate about singing
♫ Excited to learn musicianship skills including rhythm reading, Solfège, singing in multiple parts, and singing in many languages
♫ Open to all types and styles of music
♫ Want to connect and form relationships with other singers and have a musical community
Before you register
- New choristers are accepted during our Fall and January enrollment periods after a vocal placement/audition.
- Choirs are designed as a full-season experience September–June, with two semesters: September–December and January–June. Families enroll for the full season and may withdraw at designated semester windows with notice. Tuition may be paid monthly, by semester, or annually.
- Vocal placement required.
Every Bellevue Youth Choirs ensemble combines joyful music-making, Kodály-inspired musicianship, meaningful performances, and a welcoming community where every singer is challenged, supported, and inspired to grow.
Cantare offers singers in grades 7–12 an advanced choral experience where artistic excellence, meaningful friendships, and personal growth come together. As our premier treble ensemble, Cantare prepares singers for collegiate, community, and lifelong music-making while cultivating confidence, leadership, and expressive artistry.
Advanced Musicianship
Cantare singers refine their vocal technique, music literacy, sight-singing, and ensemble skills through challenging rehearsals and diverse repertoire. Singers perform advanced two-, three-, and four-part choral literature while developing the independence and artistry of accomplished musicians.
Exciting Performance Opportunities
Cantare singers perform in our three Mainstage concerts each season in December, March, and June, celebrating their musical growth alongside the full Bellevue Youth Choirs community. Throughout the year, singers also share their music beyond the concert stage through community outreach performances. From holiday performances at venues like the Bellevue Botanical Garden, Totem Lake Village, and the lobby of McCaw Hall during Pacific Northwest Ballet's The Nutcracker series, to spring performances at farmers markets, retirement communities, and other local events, Cantare singers use music to inspire joy, connect with audiences, and represent Bellevue Youth Choirs throughout the community.
Honor Choirs, Workshops & Touring
Cantare singers are encouraged to pursue musical opportunities beyond weekly rehearsals. Eligible singers may audition for regional and national honor choirs, such as the Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE) National Honor Choir. Throughout the year, singers also participate in enriching workshops and choral festivals with guest clinicians. The past two seasons, Cantare attended Youth Festival NW in Tacoma, and we look forward to expanding regional and international touring opportunities in future seasons.
World & Historical Repertoire
Our repertoire spans cultures, continents, languages, and centuries, encouraging singers to explore diverse musical traditions while connecting deeply with the human stories behind every piece.
Leadership & Service
Older singers have opportunities to serve as section leaders, rehearsal assistants, and mentors for younger choirs. Community performances and volunteer opportunities may also fulfill school or extracurricular service hour requirements.
Lifelong Skills & Community
Beyond being a choir, Cantare is a community where singers build lasting friendships while developing confidence, empathy, discipline, creativity, and leadership. These experiences prepare students not only for future musical opportunities, but for college, careers, and lifelong engagement in the arts.
Note: BYC choirs are intentionally multi-age. Younger choristers spend their first year learning new skills, while older choristers return to deepen skills, gain confidence, and step into leadership. Our rotating curriculum keeps the content fresh each year so no one ever "repeats"—every singer is challenged at the right developmental level.
New choristers are accepted during our Fall and January enrollment periods following a vocal placement.
From the concert hall to the rehearsal room — our year in photos.
From full concerts to favorite moments — relive the music with us.
