Auditions for Season 2012-2013 are coming soon! If you’re new to Cantus, click here to request updates on when/where auditions will be held.

Relax. Yes, all youth interested in participating with the Cantus Youth Choirs need to complete a private audition. Auditions, however, are brief and very low-pressure. All singers who audition will make it into Cantus and be placed in a choir. The purpose of the audition is to become acquainted with the singer’s vocal range, tone production, ear training, musical background and personality so that he or she can place you in the choir that is best suited for his or her own musical and personal growth.

Each audition will take about 15 minutes (please arrive 15 minutes early). There will be multiple private audition rooms running simultaneously. Each singer will need to bring a non-refundable $10 audition fee (credit/debit card is preferred: VISA, MasterCard, Discover, Amex). The singer will be led through a series of exercises. If the youth doesn’t know how to do the exercise, don’t worry. We will teach him or her how to do them. The only thing that the singer really needs to prepare is a song that shows off his or her voice. The following is an outline of the audition process:

• Sing a song of their choice: Youth are encouraged to prepare a one-minute, unaccompanied excerpt from a favorite song. This can be any style – classical, popular, religious, etc. – the most important aspect is that it flatters the voice. Please no accompanists, karaoke, cassettes, or CDs. The purpose of this exercise is to determine vocal aptitude, expressiveness, confidence and ability to sing in tune without accompaniment.
• Range exercises: The pianist will play a series of scales and intervals for the singer to perform on a series of simple words, such “bo” and “nee.” The purpose of this exercise is to identify the singer’s vocal range, tone quality and what part he or she should sing (soprano, alto, tenor, or bass).
• Match pitch: The pianist will play a series of three to five different notes on the piano in the singer’s range. Youth will be asked to sing back the pitches they heard the pianist play. The purpose of this exercise is to determine how well the singer can match pitch.
• Harmony exercises: The pianist will play two to three notes at the same time and ask the singer to sing back the lower or middle pitch. The auditioner may then ask the singer to sing harmony with him or her. The purpose of this exercise is to determine how well the singer can hold his or her own part.
• Bring $10: This fee is a non-refundable audition fee and will be paid at the audition registration table. Please bring cash or check (made payable to Cantus Youth Choirs, Inc., please).