CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa Children's Choir (UNICC) will hold auditions for the youth choral ensemble. Auditions are by appointment.

Under the direction of UNI School of Music instructor Michelle Swanson and assisted by Lindsay Marks, the choir is composed of 80 to 90 second- through eighth-grade Cedar Valley students.

Rehearsals are from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., beginning Thursday, Sept. 5, in Jebe Hall in the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on the UNI campus.

"The purpose of the choir is two-fold," said Swanson. "The participants gain from their experience by singing quality music and learning new music and musical concepts."

Eli Smith, a fifth-grade student from Hansen Elementary in Cedar Falls said, "UNICC is really fun. I love to sing and we have a great time at rehearsals. We learn a lot of music and our concerts are really great."

UNI students assist teaching the choir. "Many of our UNI music education majors apply these real-life learning situations to their future music careers," said Swanson. "I truly believe the college students get as much out of the experience as the young singers." Participation is not limited only to music majors. "Although our primary goal is to provide pre-service music teachers with hands-on experiences, we also have regular education majors and music performance majors working with the group."

"I can't believe all that I have learned from UNICC," said Erin Keiser, sophomore elementary education student. "I used to sing in the choir as a kid and I never realized everything the adults were doing and learning. It's been a great experience for me as a future elementary teacher."

Tuition is $50 per semester. The group performs every December and May in Bengtson Auditorium in UNI's Russell Hall, as well as at other events across the state.

The UNICC is a part of UNI's Community Music School, which offers musical performance education to Cedar Valley residents anywhere from 3-months-old to those 50 and older.