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, someone from MUSE 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 2011-2012 schedule look like now?
Rehearsals begin on Monday, September 12th. October 15th is the annual MUSE retreat. November 11-13 are the fall concerts. There are also run-outs scheduled. The spring concert is in May or June. You must be consistently available on Monday nights, for the MUSE produced concerts, and the fall retreat; these are mandatory for all singers. MUSE will be traveling to Ann Arbor, MI on March 10 and will compete in the World Choir Games in Cincinnati in early July and will travel to the GALA Festival in July 2012 as well.

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.