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PEORIA AREA CIVIC CHORALE AUDITIONS:

In-person auditions for the Civic Chorale are typically scheduled annually in January and August.  Please note that virtual auditions can be submitted at any time during the year prior to the start of either season. For more information about Peoria Area Civic Chorale auditions, contact the artistic director and conductor, Dr. Joseph Dean Henry at jdhenrydma91@gmail.com. 

 

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT SUBMITTING A VIRTUAL AUDITION:

Send the following materials to both pacchorale@gmail.com and jdhenrydma91@gmail.com.

• A description of your musical background and skills.
• Two recordings (YouTube links, mp3s, etc.) of music that you feel best represents your current level of musicianship.
• In addition, please fill out the online Peoria Area Civic Chorale Audition Application. 

For those wishing to audition in-person, following your audition application submission, the Peoria Area Civic Chorale will call to provide additional instructions. Please read the information below.

 

IN-PERSON AUDITION PROCEDURES:

• Complete and submit the online audition application. Once submitted, the PACC Business Office will call you to coordinate an audition time.
• Bring two songs of your own choosing (i.e., anything from a hymn tune to an operatic aria or a folk melody to a popular song). 
• You may not be asked to sing both selections in their entirety, but obviously you must be prepared to do so. Although memorization is not required, you should select pieces that you feel best represent your current musicianship.
• Bring two copies of each selection: one copy for the artistic director and the second copy for our piano accompanist.
• You may be asked to demonstrate music reading skills (rhythmic and tonal) and tonal memory. The excerpts used in the audition will test your sense of pitch, rhythm, and ability to self-correct. Keep in mind that very few singers regard music reading (especially reading music at first sight) as their strength!
• It’s advised that you arrive 5-10 minutes before your audition in order to compose yourself or briefly vocalize before entering the actual audition. There will be a designated warm-up area and a waiting area. Auditions typically last between 10-15 minutes.

 

 

Generally, the auditions are conducted by the Artistic Director and accompanied by the Chorale’s primary piano accompanist. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a Civic Chorale representative who will guide you to the waiting area or warm-up room, answer questions you might have, and alert you when it is time for your audition.

Generally, auditions are held a week prior to the beginning of a rehearsal season. You will be informed by email shortly after your audition. If you are offered membership, you are asked to reply within 24 hours by return email. Failure to respond may cause your place to be offered to another singer.

 

The new member financial commitment for participating in the Peoria Area Civic Chorale includes a tax-deductible $50 assessment per season (both fall & spring). Women (sopranos and altos) must purchase a matching dress (which is typically less than $100). Men (Tenors and Basses) are responsible for a tuxedo (a one-time purchase of approximately $200 if the new member does not already own one). Also, men may be required to purchase a color-coordinated vest and tie during some semesters.

 

Currently, the final, full week of rehearsals followed by performances has traditionally been called PACC Week. During PACC Week, mandatory rehearsals (described below) occur every night leading up to the performances.

Since its debut in 1982, PACC singers have proudly memorized all music for both the Winter and Spring concert series. A memory calendar is distributed to the ensemble at the very first rehearsal to assist. PACC singers DO NOT memorize major choral/orchestral collaborations or additional performances.

 

Do singers find memorization an overwhelming challenge?
The thought of memorizing music can be daunting for many potential ensemble members, yet memorization determines the singer’s ability to be responsive to the conductor, to sing more freely, and to be more communicative with the audience. The good news is that within the PACC rehearsal environment, music memorization has always been an easily achievable ensemble goal mitigated by audio rehearsal files that contain all vocal parts with individual parts highlighted.