Traveling Choir Audition Requirements 2009-2010

From Traveling Choir 2008-2009

Auditions for the 2009-2010 WLA Traveling Choir will be held in the Choir Room from Monday, May 4 through Friday May 8, 2009. When you come to your audition, be prepared to sing the steps A-F below. You’ll also be asked to sight-sing two different exercises (step G), to test your level of musicianship.

Please print out the Audition Information Form and bring it, along with a Letter of Recommendation from a WLA teacher or coach, to your scheduled audition time. You may sign up for an audition time on the Choir Room door.

A

Sing the melody a song of your choosing, unaccompanied. Announce the title and composer of your song. Be prepared to sing the entire song, but you may be stopped during the song for the sake of time. Choose a song which highlights the vocal gifts God has given to you.

B

Sing the first verse of America the Beautiful ("O beautiful for spacious skies for amber waves of grain, for purple mountain majesty above the fruited plain. etc.") in the key given for each voice type.

• Soprano I: F
• Soprano II: Eb
• Alto I: A (begin on e above middle c)
• Alto II: G (begin on d above middle c)
• Tenor I: E (begin on B below middle c)
• Tenor II: D (begin on A below middle c)
• Bass I: Bb (begin on F below middle c)
• Bass II: F# (begin on C# below middle c)

C

Sing exercise #1 on "ah" (no initial consonants) in the manners indicated below, demonstrating your ability to sing different dynamic levels and articulations. You may repeat individual exercises if you wish.

Exercise 1 (MM=60)






a) mezzo-forte - legato
b) fortissimo - legato
c) piano - legato
d) forte - marcato
e) mezzo-forte - staccato

D

Sing exercise #2 on "ah", beginning in the middle of your range. Repeat the exercise, each time a half step higher, until you have reached the upper limit of your useful range. Please announce at the beginning in what key you are starting.

Exercise 2 (MM=60)

E

Sing exercise #3 on whatever vowel you wish, beginning in the middle of your range, at the same tempo as exercise #2. Repeat the exercise, each time a half step lower, until you have reached the lower limit of your useful range. Please announce at the beginning in what key you are starting.

Exercise 3 (MM=60)

F

Sing your voice part on Since by Man Came Death, Chorus No. 46 from Handel’s Messiah. Use the recordings below to help you prepare for your audition. You will sing along with the "Accompaniment with voice played by piano" in your audition. If you cannot download the music, see Mr. Witte for a hard copy of the music and a CD of the recordings.

Part Predominant recordings: | Soprano | Alto | Tenor | Bass |
Accompaniment with voice played by piano: | Soprano | Alto | Tenor | Bass |

G

At the audition you’ll be asked to sight-sing two different exercises to help determine your level of musicianship. Even though you won't see this music until you come to the audition, you should still come in with a plan. Read "Miss Lowell's Sight Reading Tips (for the non-reader)" to see one teacher's advice on how to prepare for a sight reading audition.