Triton Kids is an auditioned choir ensemble of students in third through eighth grades from Fort Dodge and the surrounding areas.

It was founded in 2018 by Iowa Central Community College Director of Vocal Music Will Lopes as an opportunity to connect Iowa Central Community College to the community. Lopes serves as managing artistic director and conductor for the program.

“Triton kids is a unique choral program, one of its kind in the Webster County Area,” Lopes said. “Singers involved in the program will have not only the opportunity to sing songs, but will also to receive musical training from creative games, playing instruments, to body movements.”

Shelly Bottorff, who is the executive director of the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association, is the assistant director and accompanist.

“The Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association is always looking for ways to expand our outreach into the Fort Dodge Community and beyond,” Bottorff said. “What a great way to reach the youth in our community and to help provide them with life skills and experience that will go way beyond their time as a student.”

Triton Kids partners with other local groups such as the Fort Dodge Area Symphony and the Iowa Central Triton Singers.

Auditions for Triton Kids will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday and from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Students can sign up for an audition spot and view the requirements at tritonkids.com.

Bottorff said, “We will check the singer’s vocal range and tone quality, singers will participate in a pitch matching exercise, and singers will perform ‘Happy Birthday’ or ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb'”

A $25 nonrefundable registration fee will be due at the day of auditions and applied to the semester tuition.