Auditions
Auditions are held each season and are in three parts:  a prepared solo in any language, sight-reading a short, easy musical stepwise melody and sight-reading a short excerpt from the next concert.  Singers need to bring three copies of their solo piece, whether a cappella or accompanied.

If interested in auditioning, please contact Sandra McCain at 828-698-0762; or send an email to the Choir.

Member Commitment and Expectations
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. Members are also responsible for the disposition of at least two tickets for both the Christmas and spring concerts.

Vocal Commitment
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.

Performance Attire
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.

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
Membership dues for all new and returning members are currently $30 per person, per semester, and are payable at the first rehearsal.

Rehearsals
Rehearsals for the second half of the current season begin on January 14, 2008, and will be held each Monday from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM in the choir room of St. James Episcopal Church. We ask that singers be seated and ready to sing at 7:00 PM 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.

Concert Schedule for 2007-2008

The Choir presented its annual Holiday Concert, with baroque orchestra and Pastyme, an a cappella ensemble based in Asheville NC, on December 16, 2007, to a sold-out audience at the Porter Center for the Performing Arts at Brevard College, in Brevard NC.

The Choir's annual Spring Concert was also held at the Porter Center on Sunday, May 4, 2008, and included selections by Bernstein, Brahms, Britten, Duruflé, Fauré and Lauridsen, et al.