Auditioning for a community choir
  • ClergetKubiszClergetKubisz
    Posts: 1,912
    Not really church music related, but I'm thinking about auditioning for the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir. There is an audition process, though it's not really strenuous. They provide one required excerpt, and require an additional solo. I was wondering if you guys would have any suggestions as to what I should sing. They recommend a foreign language because the required excerpt is in English. I was thinking Der Vogelfanger Bin Ich Ja, or possibly Ombra Mai Fu. I am a baritone.
  • noel jones, aagonoel jones, aago
    Posts: 6,611
    Most people would probably choose the Ombra since it is smooth and legato. I did a lot of auditions in Germany and if someone had come in with Vogelfanger I would have been pleasantly surprised. I vote for the birds. I'd skip the costume. They always have a tough time cleaning up all the feathers on the floor. This should be a good experience.
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,216
    If German is likely to be the most common 'other' language for the choir, it would be helpful to sing something from that repertoire.
  • irishtenoririshtenor
    Posts: 1,325
    Sing Papageno!
    Thanked by 1noel jones, aago
  • ClergetKubiszClergetKubisz
    Posts: 1,912
    Should probably mention that I've not had proper voice training, but I do have a degree in music and I teach basic singing to the children at a Catholic school.
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,216
    Well, do choose a song with special attention to your strengths: for instance, one that spends most of its time in the middle of your range, not something that lingers at the upper end. Sing in a foreign language you know particularly well. If the song depicts a character, make sure it's an OK fit for your personality.
    Thanked by 1canadash
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,193
    So ... don't sing "Mache dich, mein Herze rein" from the Matthäuspassion of Bach ... or "Endlich wird mein Joch" from Kantate Nr. 56 ("Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen").

    On the other hand, if you are doing Ombra mai fu from Handel's Serse, you may wish to sing it in a key better suited to a baritone (or mezzo-soprano). A few years ago, I had to prepare an edition, down a whole step, complete with orchestra parts, for a soprano soloist with our local oratorio society, so I'm enclosing both the original key and the transposed (E-flat) version of the vocal-continuo score (realization by me).

    Good luck with your audition ... it won't be as bad as you think it will be.

    Note: I can easily transpose the vocal-continuo score down a minor third to D (although that is too low for the violins). Let me know if you want it in D (or lower).
    Serse Act 1 Scene 1 - Voice and Continuo.pdf
    138K
    Serse Act 1 Scene 1 E-flat - Voice and Continuo.pdf
    138K
    Thanked by 1ClergetKubisz
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