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If you enjoy singing a cappella music in a wide range of styles, if you relish the prospect of singing in one of the Midwest's most prestigious choral ensembles, if you welcome the challenge of performing extraordinary repertoire in some of St. Louis's finest public buildings, then the Chorus is for you. Prior experience of choral singing is essential, and you must be able to read music.
Every member must audition for each season in May or early June; there are no guaranteed places. The current allocation is 12 sopranos, 8 altos, 8 tenors and 8 basses. Any spaces not filled in the annual auditions are available at later sessions.
Auditions take place at regular intervals throughout the year to fill any permanent vacancies and to maintain a roster of alternate/substitute singers. These are generally held in the late afternoon and evening of Tuesdays and Fridays, the morning and early afternoon of Saturdays, and the afternoon of Sundays.
Auditions are generally conducted in Ladue at St. Peter's (Episcopal) Church, at Ladue and North Warson Roads, in the Choir Room on the east side of the building. From Highway 40 take the North Lindbergh exit; at the third light turn right (east) on Ladue Road to the first intersection. St. Peter's will be on the facing left corner.
• Prepared Pieces: Candidates are asked to prepare two songs, one of which must be in a foreign language of their own choosing (Latin is satisfactory), anything from hymn tune to aria, from folk melody to popular song. Existing full members of the Chorus are required to sing only one song. You may not be asked to sing both selections in their entirety, but obviously you must be prepared to do so. Although you are not required to memorize the songs, you should select pieces you are familiar with, and which demonstrate the natural timbre and range of your voice. You will be penalized if you are unable to perform these pieces correctly.
• Vocal Range and Agility: You will be allowed to demonstrate breath control, volume and the range of your voice. This will be effected with some simple exercises.
• Sight Reading: Generally each candidate will be given two pieces which reflect the diverse repertoire of the Chorus. These will test your sense of pitch and rhythm and your capacity for self-correction. Very few people regard sight reading as their strength, but it is an essential attribute in a choir which performs unfamiliar music on a limited number of rehearsals. Understand, however, that while you will be only too aware of your shortcomings, those conducting the audition will be looking for what you CAN do, and will provide much help.
• Duration: You will be allocated a twenty minute audition by the Executive Director; however, it is wise to arrive five minutes prior to your time since you will have a standard biographical form to complete and you may need some time to compose yourself before singing. You should be advised that there are few facilities for warm-ups at either audition venue. Auditions can over-run, and you should be prepared for your audition to be slightly delayed - a waiting area is provided.
You must bring two copies of your chosen selection(s), in addition to the copy you will be using for performance. These are for the use of the two people conducting the audition, the Artistic Director (or Assistant Conductor) and the Accompanist.
Note: You do not need to provide your own accompanist or pre-recorded accompaniment.
You may bring a music resumé; include a standard photograph if available.
Generally auditions are conducted by the Artistic Director or his assistant, and accompanied by the Chorus Accompanist. Auditions are conducted in private, and guests and tape recorders are not permitted.
Unlike many other professional choral ensembles, we do not charge for an audition. However it is important to note that the Chorus must pay for the services of those conducting the audition, and those candidates who fail to keep their appointment are expected to compensate the organization appropriately: the current fee is $15, payable in advance. Twenty-four hours' notice is required for cancellation.
Decisions are generally not made until the end of the particular audition cycle. You will be informed by letter in the following week. If you are offered a place, you are asked to reply by return mail. Failure to respond may cause your place to be offered to another singer.
When you are prepared for an audition, please call the Chorus Office at (636) 458-4343 to register your interest. The Executive Director will mail you an information package and biographical questionnaire, and will contact you prior to the next round of auditions and schedule your appointment.
The Chamber Chorus rehearses on Monday nights, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m., with a dress rehearsal scheduled for the Saturday preceding each Sunday afternoon performance. All Chamber Chorus rehearsals are generally closed to the public, to afford the musicians the greatest level of concentration and confidentiality. Anyone wishing to attend one of our rehearsals must apply in writing in advance of the rehearsal, and state his/her reason(s) for wishing to attend. Permission may or may not be granted at the discretion of the Artistic Director and the Board of Directors. Please mail such requests to SLCC, P.O. Box 11558, Clayton, MO 63105.
The purpose of a dress code is to enhance the Chorus in concert, and to direct the focus of the audience to the music and the architectural setting, rather than the performers. Obviously the singers are the most dynamic ingredient in most performances, but we should not intentionally distract the listeners with our appearance. It is also essential that singers not impair or distress their colleagues, which can sometimes occur through apparently harmless behavior.
Obviously it is unpleasant to sing with someone who has not used a deodorant, especially since concerts can become 'sweaty occasions,' but it is important for performances that singers use non-perfumed anti-perspirants and not wear fragrances. This may have a comic ring to it, but it's no joke to those who are allergic to certain perfumes and colognes. So please be thoughtful and avoid upsetting your fellow singers.
To sing in a choir is to subsume your individuality within the wider context of a group - the audience should attend to the choir, not to particular singers. Since we are all prone to pick out marks of distinction in the appearance of others, you are asked therefore not to wear jewelry or other distinguishing features such as large ear-rings, white or colored handkerchiefs, or brooches.
Some of the venues in which we sing have experienced theft and cannot guarantee the security of your valuables. Therefore you are entirely responsible for your own possessions. Where possible, a locked room will be found in which to store valuables, but it would be sensible to leave your property with friends in the audience or locked in your car.
Frequently the buildings in which we perform will not have adequate facilities for changing into concert attire. Therefore it is prudent to arrive at the warm-up rehearsal already changed. Whether or not you are able to change clothing at the concert venue, you must be in concert dress 30 minutes before the start of the concert in order to participate in the concert warm-up.
Since the music library represents the Chorus's single most important material asset, it is essential that it be maintained efficiently and that lost or damaged copies be replaced immediately. Therefore it is the policy of the Board to charge singers who are at fault for any copies which, in the opinion of the Artistic Director, must be replaced. The exact amount to be charged is set by the Artistic Director, and includes any relevant taxes, import duties and mailing costs. Any outstanding charges will be deducted from future concert fees.