All auditions are approximately 10 minutes in length and will consist of elements listed below. All students may audition for any ensemble.
Upon your arrival at school, please sign up for an audition time. Sign-up sheets will be located at the Conservatory orientation help desk in the Conservatory main lobby. Time slots will be available on a first come/first serve basis. (Your assistance in auditioning early in the week will be appreciated.)
Audition times for NEW STUDENTS: Thursday-Friday, September 6-7, 2012.
Audition times for RETURNING STUDENTS: Monday, September 10, 2012.
Choir recalls: Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Final choir placement results for all students will be posted by Tuesday, September 11, 4:00 pm (on the Choir Board in the Conservatory).
The first rehearsal for Viking Chorale will begin on Tuesday, September 11, 2012.
Viking Chorale: 5:45-6:45 PM (SH163)
The first rehearsal for Concert Choir and Cantala will begin on Wednesday, September 12, 2012.
Concert Choir: 4:35-5:35 PM (SH163)
Cantala: 4:35-5:35 PM (Chapel)
All choir members selected for participation in Concert Choir and Cantala are required to attend the annual Björklunden choir retreat September 14-16 (Please note: Both ensembles will travel to Bjorklunden on the same weekend and both ensembles will be gone for the entire weekend (5:00 pm Friday through 5:00 pm Sunday).
Choir Audition Information
Audition Procedures for Concert Choir/Cantala (MUEN 275/272):
-
Vocalization. (We’ll begin with vocalizations throughout your range. We’re listening to hear both the upper and lower extensions of your range, but equally importantly, how comfortably you move through your voice, where your voice seems to lie most happily.)
-
Prepare the following excerpts. (In each case we will give you the starting note and then ask you to sing unaccompanied.)
Bach, Mass in B minor, "Hosannah" (PDF)
Lassus, "Ave Regina Coelorum" (PDF)
Please note: In each case we will give you the starting note and then ask you to sing unaccompanied.
-
Sight reading and testing of rhythmic and tonal recall abilities. (We may include some basic ear-training games, where we play a four or five-note melody and ask you to sing it back to us.)
Audition Procedures for Viking Chorale (MUEN 270):
Please be prepared to sing a short, familiar song, i.e., "My Country 'Tis of Thee" or "Amazing Grace." We may do some ear-training exercises and vocalizations to explore your vocal range.
Audition Procedures for Hybrid Ensemble – (MUEN 212):
Small Fry (PDF)
Dancing in the Dark (PDF)
“HYBRID ENSEMBLE” is a mixed, small SATB ensemble (comprised of 8-16 singers and rhythm section) that will explore a variety of literature from jazz to early music, to experimental, to new works, to world music. This ensemble will expose students to a wide variety of works from disparate eras and genres of music, exploring and experiencing the deep connections between them. The performance bar will be high, and will require individual commitment and dedication from each member. Hybrid Ensemble will present one concert each term.
Voice majors must clear participation in this ensemble with their studio teacher.
Concert Choir Rehearsal Times/ Locations:
Monday 3:15 - 4:15 PM (Chapel)
Tuesday 4:35 - 5:35 PM (SH156)
Wednesday 3:15 – 4:15 PM (SH163)
Thursday 4:35 -5:35 PM (Chapel)
Cantala (LU Women’s Choir) Rehearsal Times/ Locations:
Monday 3:15 - 4:15 PM (SH163)
Tuesday 4:35 - 5:35 PM (Chapel)
Wednesday 3:15 – 4:15 PM (Chapel)
Thursday 4:35 -5:35 PM (SH163)
Viking Chorale Rehearsal Times/Locations:
Tuesday 5:45– 6:45 PM (Chapel)
Thursday 5:45 –6:45 PM (SH163)
Hybrid Ensemble (formerly Jazz Singers) Rehearsal Times:
Tuesday 3:10 – 4:20 PM (Harper)
Thursday 3:10 – 4:20 PM (Harper)
Required Concert Attire
WOMEN (Viking Chorale, Cantala, Concert Choir)
-
black, Aspen dress (see info below)
-
black nylons
-
appropriate black undergarments for formal wear
-
black, close-toed dress shoes (comfortable, heel not too high, and no sandals or casual shoes)
Women participating in Concert Choir or Cantala will need to purchase the “Aspen” dress from Stage Accents.
Just in case you have any difficulty with the above link, their web address is: www.stageaccents.com. Click on “Women’s Formal.” Part way down the page is the picture of the Aspen dress. Click on the dress/description to go to the page with the dress description. Their direct telephone number is 1-800-631-1611.
Following is the information you will need:
-
Dress: Black Aspen Dress, order #8605B
-
Lawrence University Customer Number: S54901
Stage Accents will accept check or money order but credit card is preferred. Please be very careful when determining the size to order since there will be a restocking fee for returns.
PLEASE NOTE: Hem length is 1/2" off the floor with your dress shoes on. The hem must to be completely finished (with all extra fabric cut off, etc). The bottom of the dress should look exactly the same as it did before the alterations, except shorter, and the top shouldn't look any different at all!
MEN (Viking Chorale and Concert Choir)
Tuxedo required with the following specifications:
-
traditional jacket (traditional jacket length, not double-breasted and not tails)
-
white, pleated, wing-tip collar shirt
-
black bowtie (with neck band)
-
black cummerbund
-
black studs and cufflinks
-
black socks
-
black dress shoes
Online: Stage Accents (The “Premier Tuxedo Ensemble” is available for the bargain price of $105. However, you may wish to "upgrade" to a wool-blend ensemble for a nicer look and feel.) Stage Accents Homepage: www.stageaccents.com.
Appleton Stores:
-
Gingiss Formalwear: Fox River Mall (920-830-3677)
-
DuBois Formalwear: Fox River Mall (920-738-0166)
-
The Formal Event: 2415 North Richmond (920-730-8321)
-
Men’s Wearhouse: 4301 West Wisconsin Ave #208 – by the Fox River Mall (920-830-3677)
