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To find specific audition information for Chamber Choir, click here. General audition questions are answered below.
Which choirs are auditioned and which are not?
What if the director thinks the other auditioned choir is a better fit?
When are auditions?
How do I sign up for an audition?
Do I have to be a Music Major to be in a choir?
Who must audition?
What do auditions consist of?
What do I have to prepare?
What information do I have to bring with me?
Can you describe the various choirs at CWU?
I've already (or I haven't yet) enrolled in a choir.
There are two course and line numbers. Which do I list?
When will results be posted?
WHICH CHOIRS ARE AUDITIONED AND WHICH ARE NOT?
An audition is called for if you are interested in either Women's Chorale or Chamber Choir. Auditions are more rigorous, usually lasting 10-15 minutes, and include tonal memory, a prepared selection, a chosen selection, and sight reading. If we determine that a non-auditioned choir will be a better fit for you, we will let you know that fact, as well as informing you as to which choir or choirs we suggest.
You do NOT need to audition for University Chorale, Men’s Choir, or Central Singers. You may simply sign up for the class and come to the first rehearsal. You are, however, welcome to audition if you like. You are also welcome to contact the director of the group to either receive more information about the group or even to meet with them and let them hear you sing a bit (recommended if have very little or no prior singing experience, or if you don’t know which part you sing.)
All of us directors know that many people are nervous about singing alone, so you can be assured of a positive and supportive environment if you decide to sing for us.
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WHAT IF THE DIRECTOR THINKS THE OTHER AUDITIONED CHOIR IS A POSSIBLE FIT?
Dr. Weidenaar and Professor Singh in some cases will recommend you sing for each other as well. We want to put you in the choir which best matches your musical ability and vocal training. If we think you might fit as well or better in the other choir (whether Women’s or Chamber), we will recommend you speak to the other director. In some cases, another audition will be required. This is done in consultation with you and only with your OK, of course.
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WHEN ARE AUDITIONS?
Sign up sheets for either Chamber Choir or people who just want to complete an audition, but don’t know which choir will be posted on the bulletin board outside Office 209 in the Music Building on and after Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2009. You may also email Dr. Weidenaar to have him sign you up for a time.
Sign up sheets for Women’s Choir auditions will be on Professor Singh’s door (office 121 in the Music Building) on or after Friday, Sept. 18, 2009. You may also email Prof. Singh to have him sign you up for a time.
FOR EITHER GROUP’S AUDITION, PLEASE ARRIVE 10-15 minutes before your scheduled time to fill out the necessary and important paperwork. It will greatly help if you know your student number, phone and address, and email address.
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HOW DO I SIGN UP
If you are on campus, sign up on or after September 18 on the appropriate office door (209 for Chamber Choir or 121 for Women’s Choir) or email the appropriate director (Gary.Weidenaar@cwu.edu for Chamber Choir and Vijay.Singh@cwu.edu for Women’s Choir). if you are off-campus. It is fine to sign up when you get to campus. Try to take the earliest time available for two reasons: 1) Later times fill up and sometimes there is an overflowing demand the last day before classes start 2) The earlier you go, the more time you have to plan your schedule, while the director has more time to assimilate auditionees into their choir.
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MUST I BE A MUSIC MAJOR?
Absolutely not! In fact, in some groups there are more non-majors than majors. All groups, including Chamber Choir, usually have non-majors among their members. If you like to sing, there's a CWU Choir for you!
WHO MUST AUDITION?
You do NOT need to complete an audition if you are interested in University Chorale, Men’s Choir, or Central Singers. You may simply sign up for the class and come to the first rehearsal. You are, however, welcome to complete an audition if you like. At that time, you will be advised about whether the Men's Choir, University Chorale, Central Singers or one of the two auditioned ensembles are the most appropriate, given your schedule, experience, course load, class conflicts, etc.
You are also welcome to contact the director of the group to either receive more information about the group or even to meet with them and let them hear you sing a bit (recommended if have very little or no prior singing experience, or if you don’t know which part you sing.)
All of us directors know that many people are nervous about singing alone, so you can be assured of a positive and supportive environment if you decide to sing for us.
If you wish to be considered for Women's Chorale or Chamber Choir, a full audition is required to enter either of those groups.
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WHAT DO AUDITIONS CONSIST OF?
They are relaxed, friendly, and nothing to be uneasy about. Auditions give us a chance to get to know you individually before the quarter gets underway.
Chamber Choir Auditions include:
- Singing. Plan to sing 60-90 seconds of an aria or art song - unaccompanied.
- Vocalizing. You will vocalize through your range.
- Singing an excerpt. a part of a piece of music assigned to be learned for the audition
- Pitch Retention. You will sing back series of pitches after they are played for you on the piano.
- Sight reading. Rhythm Skills, pitch skills, and interval knowledge will be tested.
Women’s Choir Auditions include:
- Singing. Plan to sing 60-90 seconds of an aria or art song - unaccompanied.
- Vocalizing. You will vocalize through your range.
- Singing an excerpt. a part of a piece of music assigned to be learned for the audition
- Pitch Retention. You will sing back series of pitches after they are played for you on the piano.
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WHAT DO I HAVE TO PREPARE?
For Chamber Choir auditions: 60—90 seconds of an aria or art song – unaccompanied and the assigned excerpt. For Women’s Choir, 60-90 seconds of an aria or art song.
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WHAT INFORMATION DO I NEED TO HAVE WITH ME?
Your student number, phone and address, and email address. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled time to fill out the necessary and important paperwork. All Women's Chorale and female Chamber Choir hopefuls will get measured for the required dress (purchased by the student).
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DESCRIPTION OF CHOIRS
Visit our Choral Ensembles page. There you will find information such as course numbers, meeting times, descriptions of each group and links to their individual pages.
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I'VE ALREADY ENROLLED FOR A CHOIR OR I HAVEN'T YET ENROLLED YET
If you've already enrolled in a choir, please let us know. It is very common for singers to go through drops and adds to change the ensemble in which they originally enrolled. If you feel you only have one or two time slots free, let us know that - in many cases, there are options of which you may not be aware. We try and balance voices and voice parts with your wishes and needs as best we can.
There is no need to physically sign up for a choir before its first rehearsal. You are given a reasonable amount of time by the registrar's office to drop and add with no penalty . After the designated add/drop date a $75.00 fee is assessed.
If you HAVEN’T signed up for a choir yet, you may do so within the first week of the quarter.
If you HAVE signed up, you may drop one choir and replace it with another (if needed) - see your instructor for how.
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THERE ARE TWO COURSE & LINE NUMBERS WHICH ONE DO I LIST?
Although there are at least two line numbers for each choir, it is the same ensemble. The lower course number (in the 200's) is for freshman and sophomores, the upper number (in the 400's) generally for juniors or seniors. In the case of certain choirs, the upper line number (in the 500's) is a number for graduate students.
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WHEN WILL RESULTS BE POSTED?
Results of fall quarter 2009 auditions will be posted by noon on Wednesday, September 23 on the choral bulletin board near the choir room (room 153). Women’s Chorale results will also be on Prof. Singh”s (room 121) door. Chamber Choir results will also be on Dr. Weidenaar’s (209) door.
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**Last updated: Aug. 13, 2009
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