The following is audition information for the 2023-24 Season.
Audition information for the 2024-25 Season will be released later in the year.
Dear Singers,
Thank you for your interest in choir! If you are interested in singing
as a hobby with a relatively low performance commitment, you may sign up for
Concert Choir with no audition.
You may also choose to audition for one or more of the three Davis
High School auditioned choirs! Each
choir is unique, but all present singers with wonderful musical opportunities
as well as a fabulous group of peers who share the same passion for the
performing arts.
Auditions are an outstanding educational experience for performing
arts, job interviews, and many other activities in life.
Auditions for the Davis High School Choirs will be during the week of
March 6th. The audition schedule is as follows:
●
Mon/Tues,
March 6 or 7, 10-min
individual time slots - Vocal auditions (all 3 choirs)
●
Wednesday,
March 8, 6:30-8:30 - Dance auditions (Jazz Choir only)
●
Thurs/Fri,
March 9 & 10, 4-7pm - Callbacks (TBD for all 3 choirs)
To audition, you must sign up for an audition time slot here: 2023 Audition Signups.
You may audition for more than one choir (all
three if you like!), but please sign up for only one audition slot.
For all three auditioned choirs,
you will be asked to do sight singing, pitch matching, and to perform a
prepared solo. In addition, for Jazz
Choir, you will be asked to do a dance audition. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your
audition time to complete paperwork and warm your voice up and plan a small
time buffer to allow for the delays that can occur with any audition
process.
Vocal Audition: Your
vocal audition on March 6 or 7 will begin with some questions from the panel,
followed by:
●
Sight Singing: A melody will be provided and you will have
a few minutes to review the melody and sing what is written to your best
ability. This component demonstrates your ability to read sheet music and
perform what is written. Solfège (Do Re
Mi, etc) is recommended, but not
required.
●
Pitch Matching: A series of notes will be played on the
piano, and you will be asked to sing the notes in the order played. This component demonstrates your ability to
hear music and repeat it with correct pitch.
●
Range
test: This is a test to determine your
vocal range - the highest and lowest notes you can comfortably sing. You will be asked to sing progressively
higher and lower notes.
●
Prepared solo: You
will be asked to perform a piece that you have prepared and memorized in
advance. Although memorization is required, you will only be asked to perform a
part of the piece, so it’s not necessary to prepare or memorize the entire
piece. This is your chance to show off your performance ability as well as your
vocal abilities. Pick a piece that is
familiar to you, within your current vocal range, and (if possible) lets your
personality shine. In addition, please adhere to the
following guidelines in your selections:
○ Those auditioning for Jazz Choir should
prepare a musical theatre, pop, or jazz piece.
○ Those auditioning for Madrigals should prepare
a classical piece, folk song, or “legit” musical theatre piece.
○ Those auditioning for ATC may choose anything
listed above.
○ If you are auditioning for ATC and one other
choir (Jazz Choir OR Madrigals), you should pick a piece appropriate for the
second choir for which you are auditioning.
○ If you are auditioning for both Jazz Choir AND
Madrigals, you will need to prepare two solos (one appropriate for each choir).
○ If you are auditioning for one choir, the solo
should be shorter than two minutes in length.
○ If you are auditioning for Madrigals and Jazz
Choir, your contrasting solos should each be shorter than a minute in length.
○ You may choose to sing unaccompanied, bring a
pianist to play with you, or bring a karaoke track with no vocals.
Dance audition (Jazz
Choir only). This portion of the audition will take place
live with our resident choreographer, Jeff Teague. If you are auditioning for Jazz Choir, you
must attend a workshop on March 8th from 6:30-8:30 (please plan to stay the
full two hours) in the Choir Room. Here,
you will learn the dance routine, and then audition by performing the routine. The dance audition is used to assess an auditionee’s
technique, memorization skills, and performance ability. An interest in dance and willingness to learn
are the main things required. Previous
dance training is not required and students with a wide range of dance skills
have become Jazz Choir members.
Callbacks. Any of
the choirs, or all three, may require
call-backs. If the judges decide
call-backs are necessary, please make sure you are prepared with the call-back
music and be available from 4-7pm on Thursday, March 9th and Friday, March
10th. Call-back music will be emailed by March 8th end of day.
Audition results will be emailed to auditioners the week of March
13th. Please be advised that while we will try to honor your preference of
choirs, they may be adjusted due to numbers.
Feel free to direct any questions about the audition process or choir
programs to Choir Director Amanda Bistolfo ([email protected]) or Assistant Director of Madrigals Alex
Chaseford Snow ([email protected]).
Thank you so much for your interest in Davis Senior High School’s
choral program, and remember to have fun!
______________________________________________________________________________
FAQ Section:
★ How
do I decide which choir to audition for?
As noted above, you may audition for more than one choir (all
three if you like!), but please sign up for only one audition slot. You
can find additional information on each of the audition choirs on their individual websites:
●
Madrigals (www.davismadrigals.org) is an elegantly costumed choir focusing on
classical music from the 15th century to the present. The annual Madrigal Dinner in December is a
highlight of the year.
●
Advanced Treble Choir (https://davishighatc.wixsite.com/atc) is an all-treble choir (sopranos and altos)
singing music from a variety of genres, ranging from Renaissance to Pop. The choir is the organizing force behind the
popular Davis Idol which takes place in January.
●
Jazz Choir (www.jazzchoir.net) performs jazz standards and contemporary
jazz selections, as well as choreographed show choir Pop and Musical Theatre
selections (think: the popular TV series “Glee”). Jazz Choir’s spring “Cabaret” showcases the
diverse talents of this group.
Although each of the choirs offers something special and distinct, all
three choirs provide an excellent choral music education.
★ What
does being in one of the audition choirs involve?
Much more than a high school class, these groups go on retreats and
trips to places like New York City, Los Angeles, New Orleans, and even
Europe. They practice in weekly
after-school rehearsals, perform in public and private venues, organize
fundraising and social events, and perform community service. The choirs also collaborate in various ways
and perform together at annual Winter and Spring concerts. Over the course of a year, the choir becomes
like a family and many choir alumni report back that some of their closest
friends and most memorable experiences came from their participation in DHS
choirs.
★ Is
parental involvement required for these choirs?
Booster clubs run by parent volunteers assist with fundraising and
other organizational efforts in support of the choirs throughout the year. Parent volunteerism is encouraged and
appreciated, but not required. Parents
are asked to attend monthly meetings where upcoming events and fundraising
efforts are planned. Parents are also
asked, but not required, to contribute to annual costs of the choir, including
the cost of performance attire, event registration fees, group retreats and
educational trips.
★ What
can I expect at auditions? How should I prepare?
Auditions will be held in the Choir Room (PA-8) at Davis Senior High
School in a relaxed environment. Arrive
10-15 minutes early to allow time to prepare.
Signs will direct you to the Band Room next door where you will first be
greeted by friendly choir members and parent volunteers who will set you at
ease and help you to prepare for your audition, including completing any
paperwork, doing warmups, and practicing for skills testing (sight reading and
pitch matching). When it is time for
your audition, you will be invited into the Choir Room where the Choir Director
and Assistant Director will ask you a few questions, prompt you to do your
sight reading and pitch matching exercises, and then perform your prepared solo
piece. The Choir Director and Assistant
Director will be observing your singing
skills (tone/intonation/musicality), musicianship, and stage presence.
★ What
should I wear for auditions?
As at any audition, you should dress respectfully and appropriately -
business casual (nice, not torn or crop tops and pants/skirt/dress) is
appropriate for vocal auditions;
athletic or comfortable, easy to move in clothing and close toed shoes
for dance auditions.
★ What
if I am not able to read music?
If you can’t read music, follow the direction of the notes, moving up
and down the scale. Current choir
members will help you prepare for the sight reading component. Do your best.
Most new choir members are not proficient at sight reading - be patient
with yourself and you will learn.
★ What
if I’m not an experienced dancer? Can I
still audition for Jazz Choir?
An interest in dance and willingness to learn are the main things
required for Jazz Choir. Previous dance
training is not required and students with a wide range of dance skills have
become Jazz Choir members. The audition
choreography is short and fairly simple and you will go over it many times
before your audition. The Choir Director
and Choreographer will be observing your ability to learn quickly and move with
coordination. Just do your best, have
fun and let your personality shine!