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Washington State University
College of Arts and Sciences School of Music

Choral Ensemble Auditions

Concert Choir (MUS 431) and Opera Workshop (MUS 428)

Choral Ensemble Info »

 

Fall 2021 Ensemble Auditions:

Auditions for fall 2021 will take place in person on:

Thursday Aug. 19: 1 – 5 pm

Friday Aug. 20: 10am – 12pm, 1 – 5 pm

Sunday Aug. 22: 1 – 5 pm

Monday Aug. 23: 1 – 5 pm

SIGN UP TO AUDITION IN TWO EASY STEPS:

Step 1: Complete a “Choral Ensemble Audition Form“

Step 2: Sign up for an audition time

Please report to the lobby of Kimbrough Music Building at your chosen appointed time. We will also contact you closer to your audition date.

Concert Choir meets M – TH 2:10 – 3 pm

Opera Workshop meets M, W 3:10 – 5pm in the fall and M, W 3:10 – 6pm in the spring

University Singers meets M, W, F 1:10 – 2 pm and does not require an audition

Components of the Audition:

  1. Vocalization: Students will sing short “warm-up style” exercises. These will help us determine your vocal range.
  2. Prepared Piece: Students will sing a selection of their choice. An accompanist will be provided (please bring music for the accompanist) but you can also sing without accompaniment.
  3. Tonal Memory: Students will perform pitch memory exercises. We will play a short melody and ask for you to repeat this melody on “la.” This enables us to determine your short-term ability to retain a melody.
  4. Sight Singing: Students will sing a short selection at sight. This short sample will allow us to determine your ability to sight-read. Students can choose any syllable they wish, including solfege. Note, the committee does not use sight-singing ability as its sole measure of a talented musician.

Some tips and insights:

  1. The committee is very excited to hear you and wants you to do well. No matter your audition, we will assign you an ensemble!
  2. If you have an idea of the ensemble in which you’d like to sing, sign up for that ensemble on your schedule. This will save the time in case your audition is successful!
  3. Choose a selection to sing that best shows off your voice.
  4. Try to warm-up before the audition. This will allow you to perform your best. Don’t want to sing out loud in your dorm? Try some gentle humming in preparation for your audition.
  5. We do realize that sight-singing is scary. Do your best. We often see your skill even if there are errors.
  6. Audition early! As the weekend approaches and the semester is about to begin, there is more hustle and bustle on campus. Auditioning early will clear your time for other events and activities.
  7. Rush participants or members of fraternities and sororities – your voice is definitely stressed during this time. Audition early to ensure your voice is at its best!

We are very excited to see you in the fall and look forward to having you in our ensembles!

For more information, please email Dean Luethi.