Cantus Pop Ensemble Auditions

For Season 16 (September 2025 to April 2026)

Cantus Youth Choirs is Treasure Valley’s largest community choral program for youth. Cantus has traditional ensembles and contemporary ensembles. We do not hold auditions for our traditional ensembles; everyone makes it into one of those! We DO hold auditions for these four contemporary ensembles.

Rhapsody

Grades 7-9

Mixed
Ensemble miked
Accompanied

Contessa

Grades 9-12

Female
Individually miked
Accompanied

Fortis

Grades 10-12

Male
Individually miked
Accompanied

Bella Visi

Grades 10-12

Female
Individually miked
Accompanied

VoiceOver

Grades 10-12

Mixed
Individually miked
A cappella

Schedule

Your ability to follow instructions and meet deadlines is part of your audition.

How do I audition?

There are two parts: The video and the call back.

Part 1 of the audition is the video. You will video yourself singing to a provided back track. At the bottom of this page is a form and webcam recorder. You will use this webpage to record and submit your video. You will be asked to sing sing scales, intervals, a backup part to Get Here, and an a cappella solo of your choice. Watch this video with segments from 5 singer auditions to get an idea of what your audition will look like.

Part 2 of the adition is live call backs. After the video audition you may be asked to come to a live call back audition. We use the same music (Get Here) at call back auditions. At call backs we want to hear you sing live with other singers so we can find our optimal blend for VoiceOver, Bella Visi, Fortis and Contessa.

What are we looking/listening for?

There are no surprises.

We evaluate all auditions based on range, pitch-matching, part independence, solo ability, and poise. We do this through watching and hearing you sing the scales, intervals and songs of your audition. We will place you in VoiceOver, Bella Visi, Fortis, or Contessa based on your audition. Each singer is also required to participate in a traditional ensemble; you do not need to submit an audition to be placed in a traditional ensemble.

How to prepare for your video audition?

Practice the practice files.

We strongly encourage you to practice with the back track before recording your audition. We don’t put you on stage without preparation; we feel the same way about auditions! Practice, practice, practice. You have 100% control over how prepared you are for your audition.

Part 1: Sing these scales and intervals

You will be asked to sing “la” on the following scales and intervals (in your octave).

Part 2: Sing your part to Get Here

You will be asked to sing 12 measures of Get Here by Annie Roberts. Please download the sheet music and use the practice files (below) to learn your part. There are 9 parts to choose from (Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Alto 1, Alto 2, Tenor 1, Tenor 2, Baritone, Bass, and Vocal Percussion). You can submit multiple auditions if you want to be considered for multiple voice parts.

Use these audio files to learn your parts to Get Here:

Part 3: Sing your solo

Prepare 30-60 seconds of a song that flatters your voice. You will perform this song a cappella (without accompaniment) immediately after singing Get Here. We recommend singing a verse and chorus of a pop song that flatters your voice.

Practice the full audition

Use these audio files to practice your full audition (scales, intervals, Get Here):

Submit your video audition!

Let’s do this!

Use this form to record and submit your audition. Use the playback controls to review your audition. If you don’t like it, re-record your audition before submitting. You will need to provide a cell phone and an email address so we can contact you about the status of your audition.