What we are looking for
- A passion for singing
- Musicality
- A good voice
- Openness, teamwork, and a positive attitude
- Some level of reading skill and/or a good musical memory
- A commitment to our mission, essentially fighting homophobia through song
Clearly, not everyone will have all of these attributes – don’t worry, you do not have to be the perfect 10. More often than not, a healthy mix of most of the above qualities will be enough to qualify for the Chorus. Whatever your skills, all we ask is that you embrace singing in all styles and we can guarantee you’ll find people in the Chorus who share your interests and voices in the Chorus with whom you can blend.
What to Expect
The word “tryout” may sound a little scary. Think of it as a chance to introduce yourself to the Chorus and for the Chorus to get to know you and your vocal abilities. Tryouts take only a few minutes and are as relaxed, friendly and informal as we can make them. Our main goal is to leave you feeling that you’ve done your best.
Before we confirm your appointment, we will ask you to fill out an information form asking for your contact details, some information about you, and your singing history (if any).
The tryout usually goes like this:
In the room, you will find the Artistic Director and just yourself.
- They will begin with a brief chat , and then some vocalises to determine your range and section.
- Then you will be asked to sing something which can be as simple as “Happy Birthday”, “America (My
Country, ‘Tis of Thee)” etc. - Finally, we include a very brief check of your music reading skills. We recognize that singers learn
music in different ways. Some read music well but find it hard to memorize, while others can pick up a line
quickly by ear but are not experienced readers. All are welcome and if you are successful, we provide
listening tracks and other support of various kinds. We want enthusiastic singers more than we want good
readers. But if you read well, this is an advantage.
Whatever happens, you can be assured there will be a supportive and respectful atmosphere, and you’ll get a lot of
encouragement from your new friends. Current members will also be available to answer any questions you have.
What Happens Afterwards
There are currently two possible outcomes:
a) Yes, we would like you to join the chorus. In this case we will be in touch with you very soon with details of
what to do next.
b) Sorry, no, we can’t accept you into the chorus at this time but would like to see if you would like to help with
backstage, front of the house, or joining a committee etc.