TREBLE PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLE
Grades 7–9 · Auditioned
Grow your sound.
Discover your artistry.
Find your voice.
THE ILLUMINATE EXPERIENCE
Discover what you're capable of.
Illuminate gives developing treble singers the opportunity to take their musicianship to a new level through ambitious repertoire, thoughtful vocal instruction, and meaningful performance experiences.
Singers build stronger vocal technique, music literacy, independence, and artistry while learning to take greater ownership of the music they make together.
ILLUMINATE IN PERFORMANCE
Hear what Illuminate can do.
Experience the artistry, energy, and growing musicianship of Illuminate in performance.
“Take This Gift” · Tracy Wong
Illuminate · South Loudoun Youth Chorale
IlluminateAT A GLANCE
GRADES
7-9
PLACEMENT
By audition
REHEARSALS
Mondays
6:00-7:20 PM
LOCATION
Willard MS
Aldie, VA
TUITION
Full-season and concert-cycle
options available
SEASON
September - April
LIFE IN ILLUMINATE
More than great music.
Illuminate is where developing singers begin taking greater ownership of their artistry—growing as musicians, performers, leaders, and members of the SLYC community.
MUSICIANSHIP
Raise the bar.
Strengthen vocal technique, music literacy, ensemble skills, and artistry through increasingly sophisticated repertoire.
CONFIDENCE
Trust your voice.
Develop the independence and confidence to contribute your ideas, take musical risks, and perform with purpose.
COMMUNITY
Find your people.
Build friendships with singers who share your love of music while learning what it means to depend on—and be depended on by—an ensemble.
#getSLYC
Serve. Lead. Spread Joy. Care.
Put SLYC's values into action through rehearsal, performance, leadership, and service.
BEYOND REHEARSAL
More than Monday night.
Illuminate is your home ensemble—but the SLYC experience extends far beyond weekly rehearsals. Singers can take part in major performances, artistic collaborations, festivals, tours, community events, and experiences that bring the entire SLYC community together.
PERFORM BOLDLY · EXPLORE THE WORLD · FIND YOUR PEOPLE
YOUR SLYC JOURNEY
Your choir. Your journey.
Illuminate can be a destination all its own—and it can also open doors. Singers choose how they want to deepen their musicianship, step into leadership, and explore extraordinary opportunities throughout their time in SLYC.
GROW AS A MUSICIAN
Take your artistry further.
Illuminate gives developing treble singers opportunities to stretch beyond the regular concert cycle and discover new ways to challenge themselves as musicians and performers.
ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES
Prepare for honor choirs and other auditions.
Collaborative Experiences
Work with guest artists, composers, conductors, ensembles, and special projects.
PAST HIGHLIGHTS
Illuminate joined Vivace Children's Chorus and the Tunisian-based Tunisia88 Alumni Choir for a collaborative performance in Silver Spring, Maryland—bringing young singers from different communities and cultures together through music.
LEAD & SERVE
Make an impact beyond the stage.
Illuminate singers can begin stepping into meaningful leadership and service roles throughout SLYC and our community.
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
SLYC Buddy Program →
Mentor and encourage younger SLYC singers.
Student Leadership →
Serve as a section leader, choir manager, content creator, and more.
Lead and mentor at SLYC Summer Camp.
Volunteer with younger singers at our one-day programs.
Community Service →
Perform, serve, and give back throughout our community.
EXPLORE
See where your voice can take you.
Being part of Fortify can take singers beyond the rehearsal room—from summer tours and remarkable stages to festivals, collaborations, and performances they’ll remember long after the final note..
SUMMER TOURS
Washington, DC · New York City · Ireland
REMARKABLE STAGES
National Cathedral · Strathmore · Hylton PAC
UNEXPECTED EXPERIENCES
Festivals · Collaborations · Special performances
QUESTIONS? WE'VE GOT ANSWERS.
Everything you need to know about Illuminate.
From auditions and voice placement to rehearsals, tuition, and performance commitments, here are answers to some of the questions families ask most.
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Illuminate is SLYC's auditioned treble ensemble for singers in grades 7–9. Singers should be enrolled in their school music program when one is available and must complete a placement audition before joining Illuminate. No prior SLYC experience is required.
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Auditions are designed to help our artistic staff get to know each singer and determine the best ensemble placement. During the audition, we'll explore your vocal range, invite you to sing a short song of your choice a cappella—even something as simple as Happy Birthday is perfectly fine—and spend a few minutes chatting with you about your interests and experience as a singer.
Visit Join SLYC for current audition dates, registration, and everything you need to get started.
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Illuminate rehearses Monday evenings from 6:00–7:20 PM at Willard Middle School in Aldie, Virginia. Our regular concert season runs from September through April, allowing singers the flexibility to participate in spring musicals and other late-spring activities if desired.
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Consistent attendance is important to the success of the entire ensemble. Illuminate singers may miss up to two rehearsals per concert cycle and are expected to participate in scheduled performances. Additional rehearsals, performances, or special events may occasionally be added to the regular Monday schedule, with families receiving dates in advance whenever possible.
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Full-season tuition for Illuminate is $750 when paid in full. Families may also choose an installment plan of three monthly payments of $275 ($825 total), or enroll by semester for $450. Financial assistance is available to help make SLYC accessible to families who need it.
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Yes. While we encourage singers to participate for the full season, semester enrollment is available for families who cannot commit to the entire year. Semester tuition is $450. Singers joining for a semester are expected to participate fully in rehearsals and performances during that concert cycle.
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We're happy to help you find the right place at SLYC. If you have questions about Illuminate, auditions, voice placement, scheduling, or anything else, reach out to our team. We can help you determine which ensemble and enrollment option makes the most sense for your singer.
READY TO FIND YOUR VOICE?
Your place in Illuminate starts here.
Join a community of singers ready to grow, take musical risks, make meaningful connections, and discover just how much they can accomplish together.