Fall 2023 Auditions
- University Chorus
- Concert Choir/Schulich Singers
- Cappella Antica
- Early Music Ensemble
- Song Interpretation
- Opera McGill
- Jazz Choir
- Vocal Chamber Ensemble
- Carmina Burana Solo
- Contemporary Music Ensemble Solo Voice
University Chorus
This audition is for participation in:
- University Chorus
Who is eligible to audition:
- Voice majors should NOT audition - instead, audition for Schulich Singers/Concert Choir.
- If you are auditioning for Schulich Singers/Concert Choir, do not audition for University Chorus. You will be placed in this ensemble if you are not placed in the other two ensembles.
- This ensemble is open to non-music students.
Audition Instructions:
All students must fill out the choral ensemble placement form
- Arrive 5 minutes prior to your audition time.
- Sign up for an audition time HERE
Audition Material: The audition will include singing a short, familiar melody such as Happy Birthday (no need to prepare a song) as well as exercises to determine your vocal range and sight singing skills.
Audition Time/Date:
-
Wednesday. August 30 – 9:30am-11:30am in C-209 (Clara Hall)
Wednesday, August 30 – 2:30pm-5:30pm in C-209 (Clara Hall)
If a student auditions for SS and CC, they do NOT need to audition for UC, they will be placed in the ensemble if they aren’t selected for SS and CC.
Concert Choir and Schulich Singers
This audition is for participation in:
- Concert Choir
- Schulich Singers
Who is eligible to audition:Anyone wishing to participate in the Schulich Singers or Concert Choir must audition (even if you are a returning student).
- Voice majors, or those with at least one year of previous choral experience.
- These ensembles are open to Non-Music students.
Audition instructions:
All students must fill out the choral ensemble placement form
- Arrive 5 minutes prior to your audition time.
- Sign up for an audition time HERE
General Audition:
- Solo piece of your choice (accompanist will be provided).
- Rhythmic and melodic sight-singing
- A chromatic scale: ascending from Do to Sol and then descending from Sol to Do. You may sing this on any syllable you choose, e.g. ta or doo.
- Sing major/minor scales and major/minor/diminished/augmented triads – starting pitch will be given
Audition time/date:
-
Monday, August 28 – 11am-3:30pm in C-201
-
Tuesday, August 29 – 9:30am-12:30pm & 1:30pm-4:30pm in in C-209 (Clara Hall)
-
Thursday, August 31 – Schulich Singers Call Back Rehearsal – 10am-11:25am in C-209 (Clara Hall)
Cappella Antica
This audition is for participation in:
- Cappella Antica
SINGERS: All singers are required to audition this year (even if you have performed in Cappella Antica or EME before).
Who is eligible to audition:
- Voice majors, or those with at least one year of previous choral experience.
- These ensembles are open to non-music students.
All students must fill out the early music ensemble placement form.
- Arrive 5 minutes prior to your audition time.
- Sign up for an audition time here.
Audition Material:
- Prepare one selection from the Baroque period or earlier.
- Bring your own accompanist, piano and harpsichord available.
- Sight reading may be given.
Audition Time/Date
- Monday, August 28th, 10am-1pm in room C-413 (via signup)
Early Music Ensemble - Voice
This audition is for participation in:
EME (Early Music Ensemble) - Vocal
SINGERS: All singers are required to audition this year (even If you have performed in Cappella Antica or EME before).
All students must fill out the early music ensemble placement form.
- Arrive 5 minutes prior to your audition time.
- Sign up for an audition time here.
Audition Material:
- Prepare one selection from the Baroque period or earlier.
- Bring your own accompanist, piano and harpsichord available.
- Sight reading may be given.
Audition Time/Date
-
Monday, August 28th, 10am-1pm in room C-413 (via signup)
* Please note you will be able to register for MUEN 580 once you receive the CRN (Course Registration Number) for the small ensemble you have been assigned to. Once you receive your CRN, you will be able to find the correct small ensemble on Minerva so you can register. You must register for the right CRN for your small ensemble before the add/drop deadline.
Song Interpretation
This audition is for participation in:
- SONG INTERPRETATION 1 & 2 (MUEN 578 & MUEN 579) with Michael McMahon on Fridays.
These ensembles are not open to Non-Music students.
First Year Undergraduate Students are permitted to audition with permission from the teacher.
Audition Instructions:
Sign up for an audition time HERE
-
Show up 5 minutes prior to your audition time.
- Singers must provide their own pianist.
Audition Material: Voice: 2 art songs: 1 German Lied and 1 art song of your choice in a contrasting language.
Audition Time/Date:
- Monday, August 28th and Tuesday, August 29th from 10am-5pm in Tanna Hall
Opera McGill
Opera McGill auditions are administrated by the Opera Area.
- Please check out our YouTube Channel to see a little bit of what Opera McGill has been up to!
Audition Requirements
- You must provide your own accompanist
Audition Instructions:
A signup sheet for auditions will be posted in the hallway across from C-209 in mid to late August
- Show up 5 minutes prior to your audition time.
- Singers must provide their own pianist.
Audition Time / Date
-
General Auditions: Monday, August 28th and Tuesday, August 29th from 2:00pm-6:00pm in Wirth Opera Studio
-
Baroque Opera Callbacks: Tuesday, August 29th from 7:00pm-10:00pm in Pollack Hall
If you have any further questions, please email the Opera McGill office: patrick.j.hansen [at] mcgill.ca
Jazz Choir
These auditions are for participation in:
-
Jazz Vocal Workshop - MUEN 563 001
Audition Instructions:
- Sign up for an audition time HERE
Audition date/time:
- Tuesday, September 5 from 15:00-19:30 in room C-204
Audition Materials:
- A song of your choice, preferably a jazz standard. A selection from outside of the jazz genre may be chosen as long as it exhibits an interesting melody that highlights your range and rhythmic capabilities.
- You may also be asked to sight read one or two short, simple melodies in varying ranges of your voice.
*Previous jazz vocal interpretation/improvising as well as jazz choir (or other) experience is an asset but not a requirement for this ensemble.
Vocal Chamber Ensemble
This audition is for participation in:
MUEN 553 Vocal Chamber Ensemble (Coordinator: Annamaria Popescu and Ilya Poletaev)
This ensemble is open to Voice Majors and Pianists.
Vocal duets are welcome
Audition Instructions:
Sign up for an audition time HERE
- Show up 5 minutes prior to your audition time.
- Singers must provide their own pianist.
Audition Material:
- Voice: 2 art songs: 1 German Lied and 1 art song of your choice in a contrasting language
Audition Time/Date:
-
Tuesday, August 29th from 12:30-4:30pm in C-201
Carmina Burana Solo
2023-24 Carmina Burana Solo Auditions
Thursday, August 31, 2023
12:30pm-3:30pm | Tanna Hall
- Sign-up Process:
- Sign for an audition time HERE
- The deadline for sign-up is August 31 at 10am.
- Performance Requirements
Choose one of the following options:
- a) Perform the required excerpt(s) listed below.
Soprano
#21 – In Trutina
#23 – Dulcissime
Baritone
#16 – Dies, nox et omnia
Tenor
#12 – Olim lacus colueram
b) Perform an aria of your choice that demonstrates a similar style and range.
Memorization is not required for the audition.
You may use sheet music for both the required excerpt(s) and the aria.
- Additional Contrasting Selection:
- Prepare and perform an additional contrasting selection of your choice.
- The contrasting selection can be an aria, art song, musical theater piece, or another suitable choice that showcases your abilities.
- Accompaniment:
- You are responsible for providing your own accompanist for the audition.
- Make sure to coordinate and rehearse with your accompanist beforehand to ensure a smooth performance.
Please note: The audition time slot is strictly limited to 10 minutes, so plan your repertoire accordingly to fit within the allotted time.
If you have any questions or need further information, please contact the Ensemble Resource Administrator: ensembles.music [at] mcgill.ca
Carmina Burana – Carl Orff
November 22, 2023 (Dress rehearsal, November 21, 2023)
Pollack Hall
Jean-Sébastien Vallée, conductor
Schulich Singers, Concert Choir & University Chorus
EMSB Youth Chorale
Contemporary Music Ensemble Solo Voice
Contemporary Music Ensemble (CME) Solo Voice
Friday, September 15, 2023
4:30-6:30pm | Clara Lichtenstein Hall (C-209)
Sign-up Process:
- Sign-up for an audition HERE
- The deadline for sign-up is Friday, September 15.
Audition Requirements:
- Please bring repertoire which includes modern, French, and German selections
Accompaniment:
- You are responsible for providing your own accompanist for the audition.
Solo Opportunities
1. CME 3: Gérard Grisey: Quatre chants pour franchir le seuil • Soprano Solo
2. CME 4: New Work (TBA) by Composer in residence Jesse Diener Bennett • Mezzo AND Soprano Solo
3. CME 4: Schoenberg, Erwartung • Soprano Solo (can be sung by a Mezzo depending on voice)
Rehearsal/Concert Dates
All Rehearsals are 9:00-11:30 am unless otherwise noted
- CME 3
- January 8-12, MMR
- January 15-19, MMR
- Saturday, January 20 | 16:00-18:30 – dress rehearsal – MMR
- Saturday, January 20 | 19:30 concert – MMR
- CME 4
- February 16, east lounge
- February 19-23, east lounge
- February 26-28, Pollack Hall
- Thursday, February 29 | 9:00-11:30 – dress rehearsal – Pollack Hall
- Thursday, February 29 | 19:30 concert – Pollack Hall
As with all auditions, please review the repertoire for which you are auditioning and always consult with your teacher regarding the appropriateness of said repertoire. If you have questions regarding the audition process, please contact the Voice Area Coordinator: matthew.trevino [at] mcgill.ca (subject: CME%20solo%20voice%20auditions)