What is the audition like?
Auditions are scheduled in 10 minute increments. When you arrive for your audition, there will be a small group of singing members who will meet you first. They are there to answer questions and get to know you before your vocal audition. This informal interview is also considered part of your audition.
For your vocal audition, you will be expected to select and sing one piece. This piece can be any style you are comfortable with. You can sing your solo accompanied (accompanist provided, please bring a copy of the music for the accompanist), you can sing a cappella or accompany yourself (guitar, tape, etc). Memorization is optional.
You will do a vocal warm-up as part of the audition and be asked to sight-sing a portion of another song. Additionally, you will sing with other singers to hear your voice blend.
How will I know the time of my audition?
Once you have submitted an audition time request form, the MUSE membership coordinator will contact you by email with your audition time.
Where are auditions held?
MUSE Auditions are held at St. John’s Unitarian Universalist Church at 320 Resor Ave. in Clifton. View Larger Map Please enter through the side or back doors.
Where does MUSE rehearse?
MUSE rehearsals are held at St. John’s Unitarian Universalist Church at 320 Resor Ave. in Clifton
What is expected of me as a member of MUSE?
Rehearsals are 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. the first Monday of each month and 7:30 – 10:00 p.m. all other Mondays. We produce 3 major concerts and have 20 run-outs each year. The expectation is that every singing member participates in 70% of the events.
What does the 2010-11 schedule look like now?
Rehearsals begin on Monday, September 13th. October 16th is the annual MUSE retreat. November 12th, 13th and 14th are the fall concerts. There are also run-outs scheduled. The spring concert is in June. You must be consistently available on Monday nights, for the MUSE produced concerts, and the fall retreat; these are mandatory for all singers.
What kind of support can I expect in MUSE?
There are several people in the choir who are available to help you learn about MUSE and are committed to making your first year as easy and enjoyable as possible. Each new member is assigned a “buddy” who will be the one to explain, remind and provide support for you when you need it. The artistic and administrative staffs are also available to assist you.
What is the “5th Section”?
These are volunteers who are part of the production team. The 5th section supports the singers in many ways – production of concerts, staging events, managing our MUSE Marketplace, etc.
When will I know if I made it?
You will receive a call the day after your audition. If you are invited to be a singing member of MUSE, the phone call will be from your “Buddy”. If we are not able to extend an invitation to you at this time, you will get a call from the Membership Coordinator.
How many singers is MUSE looking for?
MUSE always strives to represent diversity within our membership and we encourage all ages, ethnicities, backgrounds, sexual preferences, musical styles, etc. to audition. It depends on how many singers are not returning for the next season and from which sections. The choir tries to maintain membership at 60, with balanced voice parts. On your audition day, we will know better which sections we are filling.