Auditions

Please remember that we are not looking for a ‘perfect musician’. Dedication, commitment and the ability to be part of a team are also very much a part of making music at ACS. All singers have different strengths and attributes and it is a combination of these, which are assessed at your audition.

Once you have passed your audition you can look forward to belonging to a well organised, good quality choir, with a thoroughly enjoyable musical environment in which you can delight in your singing, improve your voice, have fun and make new friends. And all that on a MONDAY – What better way to start the week?

 

So, hopefully, we’ll be hearing from you very soon – What have you got to lose?

 

Your Questions

 

 

 How do I get an audition?

 

You can e-mail us from the link on our home page, come to a rehearsal in person, or telephone our secretary, P Arnold on 01270 764335. You will then be invited to come for an audition with the Musical Director. These usually take place prior to rehearsals on a Monday evening.

 

How many people are at the audition?

 

All auditions are carried out by the Musical Director and are in private.

 

What does the audition consist of?

 

You will be asked to sing: -

 

i) Scales and arpeggios appropriate to your voice part. The approximate ranges

for these are: -

Soprano  from middle c upwards for two octaves

Alto        from A below middle c, to an F an 11th above

Tenor      from middle c to A/Bb below Top c

Bass        from low F upwards for 2 octaves

 

Because a lot of the music we sing is not always divisi, these ranges cover both 1st and 2nd sections.

 

ii) A solo piece

Choose a piece which shows your ability, that you have prepared before hand and has a voice part independent from the piano part – i.e. art song, aria or oratorio aria. Please provide a copy for yourself  and the Musical Director.

 

iii) Sight reading

This will consist of a chorus from an oratorio. After hearing the piano accompaniment, you will be asked to sing the line appropriate to your voice part, using the text where possible. Although we ask for a good standard of sight-reading, a good voice and the ability to learn parts quickly will contribute to the Musical Director's final decision. However, it is essential that all potential choristers can read music.

 

The above guidelines are provided by the Musical Director and can be altered or amended at his discretion at any time. The decision of the Musical Director is final on all musical matters.

 

If I pass my audition do I become a full singing member?

After your audition, the Musical Director will discuss your audition with you and tell you whether you are accepted into the choir as: -

a)       A full singing member

b)       A singing member under review – You will be asked to sing with the choir for six months but will be expected to take singing lessons to improve the areas discussed at your audition. At the end of your review period you will be asked to re-audition to demonstrate your improvements.

 

What if I don’t pass my audition/re-audition?

Don’t panic!  You will be able to re-apply, but with a recommendation that you take singing lessons for the intervening twelve month period. However, you will not be able to sing with the choir during that time.

 

 

 

 

Up-dated Feb 2003