Audition for the City Choir of Washington

SING WITH US!

If you would like to audition for the City Choir of Washington, please fill out THIS FORM. [Direct form link: https://forms.gle/g7x5fynUXB3EkXQS7]. If we have an opening in your voice part, we will contact you shortly. Otherwise, we will contact you in late spring 2024 for summer auditions.

If you have any questions or are unable to access the form, please feel free to reach out us at auditions@citychoir.org.

Scroll down for an overview of the audition process, and tools to help you succeed. We look forward to hearing from you!

QUICK LINKS

COVID notice: Given continued low transmission rates, we are currently employing a strategically implemented mask-optional policy, with vaccines and a waiver required for singers.

Auditions: What to Prepare & What to Expect

Auditions will consist of four different segments - all meant to help assess the strengths that you bring to City Choir.  We look forward to hearing you!

  1. Vocalization: We will take you through some vocal exercises to ascertain your range, your vocal color, and your intonation

  2. Musicianship: You will be asked to do some basic ear training exercises (i.e. we play something, and you repeat it!) and a short rhythm exercise. You will receive the rhythm exercise when you arrive at the audition, and you’ll have some time to work on it before entering the audition.

  3. Prepared Musical Excerpt: Please prepare your vocal line (on text) as noted. The current selection is “Sicut Locutus Est” from Bach Magnificat in E-flat HERE is the excerpt with the specific measures marked.

  4. Diction: This will be a short passage in German from our 2023-24 repertoire. HERE is the passage, and HERE is a recording to practice with.

    • Note - it need not be perfect! We are happy to coach you during the audition to see how you pick up the sounds of the language.

Tools to help you succeed are below!

  1. Vocalization:  Has it been a while? Feeling out of practice because of COVID?  Here’s a helpful warmup by Artistic Director Erin Freeman (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-8b-yEdd0o)

  2. Musicianship: 

  3. Prepared Musical Excerpt:

    • Click HERE for Sound files to help you learn your music.

    • HERE is a YouTube recording of the E-flat version.

    • Cyberbass website: (This is the version in D major, but it’s basically the same thing!) Click HERE. (direct link: https://cyberbass.org/Major_Works/Bach_J_S/bach_js_magnigficat.htm)

  4. Diction

    • HERE is the passage, and HERE is a recording to practice with.

An invitation to audition for the City Choir of Washington from Artistic Director Erin Freeman

Are you a singer who is dedicated to the art of beautiful choral music? Would you like to sing under the direction of dynamic conductor Erin Freeman? Are you excited to meet new people who are equally as thrilled about music as you? The City Choir of Washington may be the very group for you.

City Choir is a member-driven choral community that is as committed to the music it performs as to the city it serves. It presents thoughtfully curated musical events throughout the Washington, DC metro area to uplift and inspire audiences and singers alike. We seek to serve as a model organization where artistic excellence, strong community, and positive culture mutually reinforce each other. Please click here to read our Mission/Vision/Values statement. The City Choir of Washington is pleased to announce that as of the 2023-2024 season we no longer require membership fees.

 

Weekly rehearsals take place on Monday nights, with additional orchestra rehearsals on concert week. Rehearsals are held from 7:15-9:45 p.m. at St. Columba's Episcopal Church in Washington, DC.