Symphony Chorus
Audition Information New Members
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A note from the Chorusmaster
It is the desire of all of us with the Canton Symphony Orchestra and Chorus to continue to build the size and quality of our Chorus. We are on a campaign to double the size of the chorus over the next few years, and we hope that you will be a part of that growth.
Most people underestimate their musical and vocal abilities to be accepted into the Canton Symphony Chorus (CSC). They desire to be a part, but, when they hear our fine performance, they often say, “I’d love to be in the Chorus, but I’m not good enough.” What many do not realize is that the choir sounds good because it works hard at being good while at the same time reaping the rewards of doing what the members most enjoy – singing quality music extremely well with other people who share their passion for making music.
I have found that most people that have sung in a high school, college, church, or civic choruses have adequate skills to be a part of the CSC. Please consider joining us to become a part of our excellent chorus and perform with one of the best orchestras and choruses in Ohio. - C.M.
Audition Information
Membership in the Canton Symphony Chorus is determined by audition. The audition is simple and non-judgmental, and is designed to give the conductor an idea of how he can best utilize the auditionee’s talents in the Chorus.
The audition consists of four parts and an accompanist is provided:
1. Singing a solo: The auditionee will be asked to sing a solo of his/her choosing. The solo may be any type of song (such as a church hymn, folk song, show tune, art song, or an opera aria) and in any language.
2. Vocalizing: The auditionee will be asked to vocalize to determine his/her range, flexibility, vocal timbre, and how his/her voice can best be utilized in the Chorus.
3. Tonal memory: Seven very short melodies are played at the piano and the auditionee is asked to sing them back as accurately as possible.
3. Assessing musical skills: It is understood that some people are not comfortable sight singing at an audition or may mistakenly feel that their reading skills are too poor to be placed in the Chorus. What is important – and this is the reason for this portion of the audition – is that Chorus members are able to learn the music that the Chorus performs. For some, this can be done by relying on one’s sight-reading skills; for others, it is achieved through the member’s strong commitment and ability to learn the music outside of rehearsal. At the audition, the auditionee will be asked to demonstrate his/her music-reading or music-learning skills in one of two ways:
Option One - Preparing a new piece prior to audition: The auditionee may prepare (learn) the audition sight-singing music using any manner he/she chooses prior to the audition. (The audition music is available in a PDF format on the Chorus' web site and is identified as "2011-2012 Audition Sight-Singing Music.")
2011-2012 Audition Sight-Singing Music
Option Two - Sight reading at the audition: The auditionee will sight read a piece of music at the audition. The difficulty of the piece will be similar to the music for the prepared sight reading found on the web site.
In both cases, the piano will play all voice parts (if the work is unaccompanied) or the piano accompaniment (if the work is accompanied) as the singer sings his/her part.
