AUDITIONS FOR THE 2012-2013 SEASON
Auditions for all voice parts are in the St. James Episcopal Church choir room at 766 N. Main Street in Hendersonville, NC 28792 on Sunday, September 16, 2012 from 2:30-4:30pm and Monday, September 17, 2012 from 4:00-7:00pm.
Contact Dr. Lynn Moore at lwmoore253@bellsouth.net or call 828-891-8416 for scheduling auditions and additional information.
Dates of shows in 2012-2013 concert season are as follows.
Christmas Concert
Friday, December 14, 2012 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 3:00 pm
St. James Episcopal Church, Hendersonville
All Sacred Concert
Friday, March 8, 2013 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 3:00 pm
St. James Episcopal Church, Hendersonville
Spring Concert
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 3:00 pm
St. James Episcopal Church, Hendersonville
NEW AUDITIONEES ONLY:
1. A prepared solo in any language, comparable in length and difficulty to the following is acceptable as an audition piece.
- Arias of the 17th and 18th century, G. Schrimer #1723 (May be sung in Italian or English). Available at Kempke’s music with a rehearsal CD. Please make sure the solo is in the appropriate key for the voice part for which you are auditioning. The books are available for each appropriate voice part.
- Any vocal solo from an oratorio such as Handel’s Messiah or Mendelssohn ’s Elijah
- The Lord’s Prayer; A.H. Malotte
- A vocal solo of your own choosing comparable in length and difficulty to the examples cited above.
Not Acceptable: Hymns, folk songs, ditties, such as Mary had a little lamb, etc. You must bring two (2) copies of your solo piece. Photocopies are acceptable.
ALL AUDITIONEES:
2. Vocalizing to determine range, quality of voice, and placement
3. Sight-reading a short melody (you will have the key established from hearing the progression I-IV-V-I played, and you will also be given the starting pitch.)
4. Sight-reading a short excerpt from repertoire of the fall Christmas Concert
A word about auditions: The purpose of this audition is to hear the range, quality, and flexibility of your voice, and also see how accurately you have learned your solo. The audition will also help determine your placement within a section (first or second soprano, for example.) If you are a first soprano, then audition with a piece that shows you are capable of singing high notes! Plan to sing a piece that is well suited for your voice. Member Commitment and Expectations Vocal Commitment Performance Attire Men: Black tuxedo, white shirt, black cummerbund, black bow tie, black shoes. Several vendors are available from which to purchase new or used tuxedoes ranging currently in price from $85 to $200. Membership Dues Rehearsals
Nervousness in auditions: Some people get very nervous for auditions, and others do not. It may help you to prepare your audition solo in advance and sing it a couple of times for family and friends. The more you sing in front of other people, the easier it gets!
Accompanist: A professional accompanist will be provided for the auditions. You should not arrange coaching or rehearsals with the accompanist prior to the audition.
Please arrive at the audition “warmed 
up” and ready to sing!
To maintain the quality of performance, singers are expected to attend every rehearsal and to sing in every concert. We recognize that choir members have important family, work and other personal commitments that sometimes preclude attending rehearsal. For this reason, each member is allowed to miss three rehearsals per semester. Members who exceed three missed rehearsals will not be allowed to sing in subsequent rehearsals and performances. They may, however, submit a written request to the board, which, in consultation with the director, will consider requests to remain in the group for that semester.
Ambitious music standards for performances have been established, and all members are asked to help maintain and improve upon these standards. In addition to regular rehearsals all members are expected to invest time and energy on their own in preparing the music. While members are not expected to have had formal voice training, we do look for voices that blend and enhance the quality of each section.
Women: Black performance dress, black panty hose, black closed-toe shoes, pearl earrings and medium-length pearl necklace. The current cost is approximately $70 for the dress.
2012-2013 membership dues for all new and returning members are $50.00 per person, per semester, and are payable at the first rehearsal.
Rehearsals are held each Monday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. in the choir room of St. James Episcopal Church. We ask that singers be seated and ready to sing at 7:00 p.m. sharp. Those arriving late are asked to remain outside the choir room until warm-ups are completed. Attendance at dress rehearsals is mandatory; singers must participate in dress rehearsals in order to sing in the concerts.