Auditions

What to expect

1. Vocalizing — to hear your range, tone, and flexibility
   • One ascending exercise
   • One descending

2. Tonal memory – to assess your ability to remember and match pitch
   • A series of 3-note patterns will be played on the piano for you to sing back
   • A series of chords will be played on the piano and you’ll be asked to sing the top, middle, or bottom note

3. Sight reading – to assess your understanding of printed music [See Note 1, below].
   • Two 8-measure sight reading exercise: one major, one minor
   — or —
   • A short excerpt of a printed choral piece or hymn

4. Singing solo – to hear what you bring to Apollo!
   • A simple song like “Happy Birthday” or “America”
   — or —
   • Short solo excerpts (of your choice) in any genres you enjoy singing. [See Note 2, below]

   Purpose:

   • Get to know your musical
   taste and style
   • Scout talent for future solos!
   [See Note 3, below].

Note 1: It’s very possible to succeed in most choirs, including Apollo, without being a strong reader. Don’t let discomfort in sight reading stop you from auditioning!

Note 2: You’re welcome to bring sheet music, but this is entirely optional; singing unaccompanied is fine.

Note 3: This really is only a bonus: not everyone is expected to solo or even to WANT to solo!