The Audition Process
What to expect in your Entry Audition
The audition will consist of:
• A simple warm-up using scales or other very simple exercises, during which we will be listening to the colour and range of your voice.
• A movement from a well-known choral work. The current piece is ‘His Yoke is Easy’ from Handel’s Messiah, which can be downloaded from here. You will need to sing your normal voice-part. This movement has been chosen because we need to hear whether you can come in reliably in a typical choral fugue. An imitative movement from "Messiah" is about the right level of difficulty. This is the core of the audition and the part which carries the greatest weight.
• We would like you to sing your part in a slow-moving movement from a work of your own choosing, which shows your voice at its best. An example might be ‘He that shall endure to the end’ from Elijah by Mendelssohn. Please bring a copy of the music to your audition.
• Sight-reading using the Associated Board sight-singing levels. We will begin wherever you decide (Grade I to Grade VIII), and go upwards through the grades until we find your comfort level.
What are we looking and listening for?
In the voice:
• A blendable voice with a youthful quality
• Reliable notes, entries, and intonation
• Reasonable sight-singing ability
• An ability to contribute positively to the overall sound of the choir
In the demeanour:
• Someone who looks confident and pleased to be singing
In the person:
• A team member who will be ambitious for the choir and help where they can
• Commitment to attending rehearsals and concerts in a variety of locations
What will happen?
• You will be auditioned by the Chorale's conductor Leslie Olive and the Section Leader of your section.
• As well as the musical audition, there will be a brief and informal conversation, when you will be asked about your musical background, your availability and commitment. Your answers form part of our decision-making process.
• You will also be asked whether you have experience, time, energy, gifts, or skills you could offer towards the running of the Chorale. It is helpful if you have thought about this in advance.
• After the audition it is normal for you to be asked to leave the room for a minute or two while we confer before giving you our decision.
• "Yes" and "No" are of course possible outcomes, but there are others too, including admission but with a further audition after a stated period. This outcome means that your vocal delivery is not quite what we are looking for at the moment, but we think it has potential.
Bring with you
Your completed Pre-Audition Information Form - complete it online and print it out, or, if you have no printing capability, email it to membership@englisharts.org
Leslie Olive
Artistic Director and Conductor
English Arts Chorale
February 2022