Berkshire Choral Festival Audition Requirements

The Berkshire Choral Festival is in the midst of planning an a cappella program for the summer of 2009 as well as a few other special programs for future years. Due to the difficulty of these kinds of programs, we need to be able to evaluate the voices and skills of those who wish to participate in such repertoire.

If you will be attending a BCF week in 2008, you may audition in person. If not, you may send a CD. CDs must be received by 10/1/08 or until enrollment is filled (call the office if after 10/1). This is the process:

Perform the requirements in the order given. Sections B-C-D must be sung without accompaniment except for reference pitches.

A

Sing a song or aria of your choice, accompanied or unaccompanied. It cannot be a hymn or a choral line from a choral work. Announce the title and composer of your song. If you are auditioning live, an accompanist will be available. You must bring a copy of the music for the accompanist as well as yourself. You must sing it in the key in which it is written as our accompanists will not transpose. Your music does not have to be memorized.

B

Sing “Simple Gifts” in the key given for each voice part:

C

Sing Exercise #1 on “ah”, beginning in the middle of your range and at the tempo indicated. Repeat the exercise, each time a half step higher, until you have reached the upper limit of your useful range. Please announce at the beginning in what key you are starting.

D

Sing Exercise #2 on whatever vowel you wish, beginning in the middle of your range, at the tempo indicated. Repeat the exercise, each time a half step lower, until you have reached the lower limit of your useful range. Please announce at the beginning in what key you are starting.