Starting Sept. 20

Children’s Chorus begins 25th season this week

BENNINGTON -- The Bennington Children’s Chorus, directed by Kerry Ryer-Parke, begins its 25th season this week, starting today, Thursday, Sept. 20.

The BCC is an independent community-based nonprofit organization for children of unchanged voices to study and perform the finest choral literature written for the treble voice. Weekly rehearsals are held on Thursdays at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 108 School St. in Bennington.

The Junior Chorus (ages 7-12) meets from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m., and Senior Chorus (ages 10-17) meets from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. There is a fee for each term and scholarships are available.

For information visit benningtonchildrenschorus.com Sept. 22

Ballet Center holds ‘Nutcracker’ auditions

MANCHESTER -- The Ballet Center at Manchester, celebrating its 20th anniversary of teaching ballet, will hold community auditions for its annual production of "Nutcracker" on Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Manchester Grange.

Auditions are as follows: 10:15 a.m. for children ages 3-5; 10:45 a.m. for children ages 6-10; 11:15 a.m. for children ages 11 through teens; 11:45 a.m. for all boys all ages (needed as children in the ball scene and as soldiers); and 12:30 p.m. for those not able to make the above times, but of ages 7 and older. The first act has dancing and acting. Boys are needed for the party scene. The second act is all dancing with many solos.

Most rehearsals for children will be Saturday mornings (except holidays weekends). There is a costume/rehearsal fee of $50 due at the time of the audition. Tentative dates for the performance are Dec. 21-23.

Classes are now being offered at the Ballet Center at Manchester for children 3-4 years of age through teens in Ballet, Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced. An adult Barre class is about to begin.

For information call 802 379-0759.

Continuing

String instrument lessons at music academy

MANCHESTER -- The Michael Rudiakov Music Academy will offer string instrument lessons to students ages 6-18, with the Fall semester running through Dec. 3. Faculty members are Joana Genova, violin; Vesela French, violin; Ariel Rudiakov, viola and Jared Shapiro, cello. All lessons take place at Festival House in Manchester and there is one recital each semester.

The Academy is dedicated to the memory of internationally renowned cellist, Michael Rudiakov (1934-2000) who helped to bring classical music to Manchester area children through youth concerts, in-school demonstrations and Music Discovery Week.

Tuition is $440 for 11 lessons, with scholarships available. For information call 802-362-1956 or visit mmfvt.org

Green Mountain Youth Orchestra now accepting applications

BENNINGTON -- The Green Mountain Youth Orchestra is now accepting applications for the 2012-2013 season. The orchestra, under the direction of Ellen Sager, offers orchestra opportunities for the string, woodwind, brass and percussion player.

The orchestra meets weekly at the Mount Anthony Union High School band room.

The orchestra offers 3 ensembles: Repertory String Ensemble, for the young developing string player; Senior String Ensemble, for string players of intermediate to advanced level; and Symphonic Orchestra for Strings, Woodwinds, Brass and Percussion players.

The orchestra performs 2-4 times a year with a gala performance this season with the Lakes Region Youth Orchestra.

For information call 802-442-6229 or visit gmyo.org

BCCS has openings for singers for winter

BENNINGTON -- The Bennington County Choral Society, directed by Edwin Lawrence, has opened a call for singers for its winter holiday concert. Rehearsals are Monday evenings at the Second Congregational Church. New singers are welcome and encouraged to join.

This year’s concert, with performances on Nov.17-18 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. The BCCS is a mixed adult chorus of voices drawn from southern Vermont and nearby New York and Massachusetts communities. The chorus, which performs three concerts each year, is open to ages 15 and older and all singing/reading abilities.

Any interested singer can join the first rehearsal on Sept. 10 and should arrive at 6:45 p.m., to allow time to register and sign out music and to greet friends old and new. A membership fee of $25 ($10 for students with ID) is requested. Regular weekly rehearsals are held Monday nights from 7 to 9 p.m.

The Second Congregational Church is located at 115 Hillside Street. For information visit bccsmusic.wordpress.com.

VAE offers space in PrintRoom

NORTH BENNINGTON -- The Vermont Arts Exchange has now opened the PrintRoom -- a "free range" co-working space for creativity, collaboration and work -- located at the Sage Street Mill and open for daily drop-ins or monthly, quarterly or annual members.

The PrintRoom, aptly named for its collection of letterpress equipment donated by Bill Scott, is a sunny, airy space with worktables, stools and shared desks. The fully accessible facility offers Wi-Fi, shared color printers and a coffee bar and espresso machine.

For information about the PrintRoom co-working space at VAE, contact Amy Anselmo at amyanselmovt@gmail.com or 802-445-5280, or visit vtartxchange.org/artistops.php. For information about VAE call 802-442-5549 or visit vtartxchange.org.

Bennington Arts Guild seeks members

BENNINGTON -- The Bennington Arts Guild (BAG), a cooperative organization of professional artists from Bennington and the surrounding areas, is actively seeking new members. Juried professional artist members run the gallery two-to-three shifts each month, work on a committee, and attend four mandatory meetings each year.

The BAG Gallery at 103 South St. For more information visit benningtonartsguild.com or call 802-447-2553.