Choral Auditions

Audition Dates and Location

Choral Auditions occur the first week of classes, beginning at 10 a.m. on the first Monday morning of fall semester and concluding on Thursday afternoon of that week. Mixed choirs audition all day Monday, Tuesday and part of Wednesday. All music majors with voice emphasis are expected to audition on those days. Those auditioning for University Men’s and Women’s choruses ONLY will audition on Wednesday afternoon and/or Thursday. Audition sign-up sheets will be posted in the hallway across from the main music office in MMAC. (You MUST sign up for an audition time!) Each audition lasts about five minutes and takes place in the Kennedy Green Room, unless otherwise noted.

Your Availability

You will mark on your audition form for which ensembles you are auditioning/available.

Repertoire

For all mixed choruses:

A prepared piece in any language from any style period is required. Select a piece that is suitable for your range and voice type. An accompanist will be provided—no tapes will be allowed. Memorization is a plus, but is not required.

University Men’s and Women’s Choruses only:

A prepared piece is a plus, but is not required. Materials will be provided.

Sight-reading

Each singer will be asked to sight read at a level of difficulty appropriate to the ensemble for which they are auditioning (University Men’s and Women’s choruses require less stringent sight-reading skills than do the mixed ensembles).

Vocalizing

Each singer will vocalize to the top and bottom of their range.

Ear/dictation test

Up to four pitches will be played in a sequence, and the singer will repeat that sequence a cappella.

NOTE

Music majors with vocal emphasis should audition for mixed choruses. If you are also auditioning for University Men’s or Women’s choruses, you need only audition for mixed choirs, which will count for all ensembles.

Choir Audition Orientation Meeting

There will be a choir orientation and information session on the Sunday evening prior to the start of classes in fall semester 5–6 p.m. in Bryan Recital Hall. This meeting will serve to introduce choral faculty and staff, share detailed information about the choirs and audition processes, and answer any pertinent questions. You may sign up for an audition time immediately following this meeting.

Callbacks for Collegiate Chorale

Callbacks will be held Wed. Aug. 27 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Choral Rehearsal Hall. A list of persons called back will be posted prior to this time.

You MUST be available for the entire callback period if you wish to be considered for this ensemble.

Singers new to Chorale (Singers auditioning for Collegiate Chorale who were not members spring 2008): You will be notified of callbacks at the conclusion of your audition AND/OR a list will be posted at the end of each audition day. If you are called bac,k you will be given a musical example to prepare OR download it from the web (forthcoming). You may select your part to prepare or it may be assigned to you.

Returning Chorale Members: If you participated in Collegiate Chorale during spring semester 2008 you do NOT need to sing a prepared piece during the first three days of the auditions (you need to sing a prepared piece if you are interested in the other ensembles, however). You MUST prepare the piece for callbacks located on the web (forthcoming), and may select a voice part for the callback. The callback is an audition—no seats are guaranteed. You must respond to this email by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26 if you wish to be considered for a seat in Chorale, stating that you WILL be present at the callbacks. If Dr. Skoog does not hear from you by that time, your seat will be considered vacant.