Music

Concert Choir Audition Information

Please prepare to sing the melody of the National Anthem.  You will need to perform it without any accompaniment and from memory.  

Please determine in what key or on what pitch you will start this song.  (You might need to seek help with this aspect of your audition.)   Due to the range of this audition selection, it is critical that you find a key in which you are capable of singing this song on pitch and reach the notes with grace and some ease. Determine the key of your song and practice it in that key before you appear to audition.  Please perform it in a general style: no belting or overly florid delivery (too many extra notes outside the main notes of the song).

During the audition, I will be observing the following:

  • How well you keep pitch throughout (do you start and end in the same key?)
  • Your intonation (note-to-note pitch accuracy)
  • How you handle the big leap (M10) in the middle 
  • How your voice is registered throughout (use of “chest” and “head voice”)
  • Your diction and how your vowels are shaped
  • How developed is your breath support

After a successful performance of the audition piece, you will be asked to:

  • Pitch-match: sing back notes in your range that are played on the piano
  • Sing back a short melody after repeated plays
  • Sing back a note in a chord played on the piano 

In addition, you will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of or navigating the choral score by identifying musical elements such as:

  • Note values
  • Note names
  • Accidentals
  • Dynamics
  • Knowing where your vocal line is located
  • Where measure numbers are located

Things to avoid:

  • Not knowing on what note to start the National Anthem
  • Belting
  • Too many grace notes outside the main notes of the melody
  • Not being memorized

You will not be asked to sight sing during this audition, but if you can, that’s a plus.

Before You Audition:

You must be available for all classes, sectionals, call-time and performances.

Class Time: Monday and Wednesday 12 p.m.-1:15pm

Sectional: Directly before or after class (20 minutes)

 

When and where are the next auditions held?

Auditions are usually held on the first day of classes. Please email the director, Dr. Niké St. Clair (eestclair@cpp.edu) for more information. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The ability to sing the melody of the National Anthem in tune
  • The ability to match pitch
  • The ability to sing back a simple melody played repeatedly on the piano
  • The ability to hold your own pitch while other pitches are played
  • Possessing a pleasant tone
  • Knowing the most basic things about the choral score

You absolutely should. That said, this class is not for complete beginners as we only have two choirs at CPP at this time.  Concert Choir is built upon the musical knowledge (vocal development and musicianship) a singer acquires in a high school choir or Beginning Voice class.  

It might be a good idea to enroll in a Beginning Voice class at CPP.  That will give an opportunity to develop your voice and learn about and practice the rudimentary skills needed for Concert Choir.

  • While there isn’t a fee to be part of this choir, the women of this ensemble have decided to purchase a uniform which, at this time, is around $65. This is used for every performance so one only needs to purchase it once. The men perform in their own personal wardrobe. (Black dress shoes, black trousers, black long sleeved shirt. No jacket or tie required.)
  • For class, it is advisable to have a simple folder in which to keep the music neatly. For performances only, Concert Choir uses black choral folders embossed with the name of the ensemble.
  • The musical scores we perform are purchased and provided by and belong to the department. It is issued to the students for the duration of the class for which the student is financially responsible.

  • You need to come to every class. This is not a lecture class in which you can get notes from the professor or classmates, but a performance class in which we need to learn to sing together, therefore your presence and participation is absolutely vital. 
  • In addition to class attendance, a short sectional (about 20 minutes) is required. These take place directly before or after class and you get class credit for it. 
  • You may only elect to be in this ensemble for one semester although, naturally, you may develop your skills if you stay longer.

There aren’t. You just need to participate in class and sectionals.

  • Concert Choir learns less challenging and fewer repertoire selections than Chamber Singers. 
  • Concert Choir develops the selections in a more measured pace than Chamber Singers.  
  • Concert Choir has more singers and performs on fewer languages than Chamber Singers.