Founded in 1982 and currently under the artistic direction of Sarra Sharif Doyle, Seattle Girls Choir (SGC) is a community that provides young singers with a high-quality music education and a place to belong. Our progressive levels of instruction start in kindergarten and go through high school, with a strong emphasis on vocal technique, musical literacy, and ensemble performance. SGC has a long tradition of travel and collaboration, which includes workshops, festivals, conventions, competitions, and tours. Prime Voci is the top tier of the organization, and is the culmination of an experience that, for many of our choristers, began as young as kindergarten. Sarra Sharif Doyle has served on SGC’s faculty since 2009. In 2022, Sarra became SGC’s first female Artistic Director in its 40-year history. Prior to her appointment as Artistic Director, Sarra taught music in public and private schools for fifteen years. As a professional singer, Sarra performs regularly with the Byrd Ensemble, Tudor Choir, and Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra. Sarra holds music degrees from the University of Washington and Columbia University, and is a National Board-Certified Teacher.
Country representing: USA
Have you been to the Llangollen Eisteddfod before? Yes, in 1987 and 2018.
Where and how often do you rehearse? Prime Voci rehearses in Seattle, twice per week for a total of 5 hours. Seattle is located in Washington State in the northwest corner of the United States. Our region, widely known as the “Pacific Northwest”, is bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Cascade Mountain Range on the east. Washington State is renowned for its stunning scenic beauty, including sandy beaches, snow-capped mountains, and lush forests, including the largest temperate rain forest in North America. Seattle, an international port city, is located on the shores of Puget Sound, a long arm of the Pacific Ocean dotted with beautiful islands. Our city is rich in culture and the arts, and pulses with multi-cultural excitement. We are famous for our delicious coffee, trend-setting music scene, innovative technology giants, and…lots and lots of rainy weather.
Do you have any interesting stories about your group? Our Artistic Director, Sarra Sharif Doyle, is an alumna of the Seattle Girls Choir (SGC), having sung in the program herself throughout her childhood. When she was just eight years old, Sarra auditioned for SGC’s founder Dr. Jerome Wright, and sang in SGC until she graduated from high school. One of her most vivid experiences as a young chorister was touring to Europe with Prime Voci, where she met many singers from other cultures and countries. Sarra is excited to share the transformative power of choral music and travel with the current generation and is honored to be participating in the Eisteddfod.
How would you best describe your group? Seattle Girls’ Choir has over 200 members from throughout the greater Seattle area, coming from over 75 different schools, ranging in age from 6 to 18 and divided among six progressive levels. Throughout the program, our singers are educated in choral singing and musical literacy. We believe the lessons learned from making great music in a group flow into the rest of life: teamwork, discipline, and confidence help our young people accomplish anything they set their minds to. But also long lasting are the friendships, camaraderie, and the joy that comes from achieving excellence.
Prime Voci is the top tier of the organization, and is therefore the culmination of an experience that for many of our members began as young as kindergarten.
Our repertoire can span everything from medieval chant to contemporary pop, but most dear to our hearts are the rich, dense harmonies of contemporary choral art music.
Website: seattlegirlschoir.org
Youtube: https://youtu.be/pUaUhUPOmcQ?feature=shared
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeattleGirlsChoir
Instagram Handle: @seattlegirlschoir
