Chamber Singers Audition Information
Please prepare to sing an aria, art song or musical theatre selection for your audition.
- It is preferred that you perform from memory.
- Bring a copy for the director as she will try to accompany you.
- If you wish, you may bring your accompanist for your audition.
Things I will be observing:
- Intonation (note-to-note pitch accuracy)
- How you handle any intervals in terms of registration and pitch accuracy
- How your voice is registered throughout (use of “chest” and “head voice”)
- Diction; vowel formations
- How developed your breath support is
- Musicality and performance: facial expressions, dynamics, delivery of the text
After your audition piece, you will have to demonstrate your ability to sight-read by singing your voice part on a hymn: I will play a 4-part Bach chorale (hymn); you will sing along a couple times after which your part will be omitted but you’ll have to keep singing your part while the piano only plays the other three parts. At first you may choose to sing on a syllable of your choice; the final time, however, you need to sing on the lyrics of the hymn.
IMPORTANT:
- Auditions usually take place the first day of classes.
- Membership is required for the entire school year.
Please contact Dr. St. Clair to set up an audition: eestclair@cpp.edu
Very important before you audition: You must be available for all classes, retreat, call-time and performances.
Class Meeting Time: Monday and Wednesday 2:00-3:50pm
Frequently Asked Questions
- If you have already sung in an advanced ensemble in high school or community college, loved and excelled at it, you have a good chance of getting into Chamber Singers because you most likely developed the skills you need to do well in Chamber Singers.
- If you’ve sung in Concert Choir at CPP and would like to be in Chamber Singers, you might also have to audition. The work ethic you displayed while singing in Concert Choir will be a factor when considering your prospective membership in Chamber Singers.
- Being proficient on an instrument is always a plus because that means you probably read music, which is a requirement for this choir.
- There are no fees; however, singers are responsible for purchasing their own concert outfit. Women: long black evening gown. Men: renting or owning a tuxedo.
- The musical scores we perform are purchased and provided by and belong to the department. They are issued to the students for the duration of the class and for which the student is financially responsible.
- For performances only, Chamber Singers uses black choral folders embossed with the name of the ensemble. For class, it is advisable to have a simple folder in which to keep the music neatly.
There are many differences between the two ensembles. Just to name a few:
- In Chamber Singers students learn more repertoire selections in a shorter amount of time than in Concert Choir.
- Repertoire selections often include foreign languages and sometimes even choreography.
- Due to the intricacy/demand created by the musical selections, the expectations for the level of artistry is higher than that of Concert Choir.
- Because there are fewer singers in Chamber Singers, the demand or expectation on the individual singers is higher as well.
- Because singers who wish to be in Chamber Singers are passionate about this art form, they also are willing to work harder for a performance. These singers possess a love for the choral arts, excellent work ethic matched with discipline, a ‘can-do’ attitude and team spirit.
In any one-semester period, Chamber Singers has at least one concert at the end of the semester, but often performs more. At this time, this ensemble doesn’t go on out-of-town concert tours. Instead, Chamber Singers may do the following:
- Go on mini recruitment tours when the ensemble travels to local high schools
- Give mini-concerts on campus for another department, school function or a visiting high school choir