Thank you for your interest in singing with the Seattle Choral Company! New members
are always welcome. Here are answers to Frequently Asked Questions for prospective
members:
- Do you need my voice part?
Singers from all sections are welcome to audition. There are usually vacancies in
every section at the start of every season. Sopranos and altos are more likely to
be admitted during the summer. Vacancies can occur throughout the season, as well.
Sometimes, it’s useful to have an audition, even if there is not enough room. When
vacancies occur, we will consult our waiting list.
- Do I have to be a trained singer?
Although you are not required to have had formal voice lessons, all members are
expected to be able to sing musically, on pitch, in accurate rhythm, and to have
moderate to good sight reading ability. Singers are expected to have a good reading
knowledge of musical notation.
- What musical experiences should I have?
Most, but not all, of our new members have had the equivalent of 2 to 3 years of
college choral experience, preferably in an auditioned ensemble. Many include 2
to 4 years experience at the high school level in band, orchestra or chorus. Instrumental
training is helpful. Study of at least one foreign language (Romance, Germanic or
Slavic) is highly recommended. The SCC sings in a wide variety of languages, counting
Finnish, Estonian, Persian, Hebrew, Russian and Catalan among them.
Strengths in the following areas will be considered:
- Vocal range and quality
- Pitch and melodic memory
- Music reading ability
- Diction in English and other languages
- General musicality
- A positive attitude
- When and where are the auditions?
Our main auditions are held each year throughout the summer (June, July and August)
and also periodically during the season depending on our needs. We highly recommend,
but do not require, that membership start in the fall. For the 2009-2010 season,
we will begin weekly rehearsals on Tuesday, September 15. We require all singers
to attend the Fall Kick-Off Orientation, on Saturday, September 12, 2008.
- How do I schedule an audition?
Call the Seattle Choral Company office at (206) 365-8765 and ask for the Artistic
Director, Freddie Coleman. Mr. Coleman will get your home or email address, and send
you our audition application form. You may also download the audition application
form from this web site. Mr. Coleman will examine your application and, if you have
the qualifications, you will be scheduled a private appointment, lasting approximately
one-half hour, conducted at the SCC office in north Seattle.
- What will I have to do at the audition?
All auditions consists of the following:
- Vocalise and warm-up. To display the range and color of the voice. The warm-up will
include runs and varying dynamic levels. Men will be asked to sing in full head
voice and in falsetto.
- Matching pitches. Singing pitches that are inside of two-note and three-note chords.
- Melodic memory. Singing a series of five to seven notes after one hearing. These
melodic series will vary in rhythm and complexity. The final series is a simple
whole-tone scale.
- Melodic sight reading. Singing a simple melody, written in diatonic, step-wise fashion.
The starting pitch and the key area will be played for you.
- Harmonic sight reading. Singing a simple choral piece in Latin--a non-melodic part
suitable to your range.
- Good Latin diction is required. Other languages may be tested, depending on the
music scheduled during the season.
- General musicality. Singing a well-known song (words optional!) using your full
voice.
- What are the opportunities to perform in a smaller ensemble?
The Seattle Choral Company generally performs with an instrumental ensemble, or
orchestra, but is also featured in a cappella works as well. Generally, there is
one major program per season that is mostly a cappella. Often one concert during
the season will require a separate, smaller choir, which will rehearse on selected
Wednesday evenings. Members of that ensemble are chosen from the larger group. The
SCC is often asked to perform for recording studios and for larger regional organizations,
such as Pacific Northwest Ballet and the Seattle Symphony.
- What is the Seattle Choral Company singing this season?
Please consult our webpage describing each of our concerts
this season.
- What are the membership dues?
For the 2009-2010 season, membership dues are $270 ($30 per month) for September through May. Dues paid in one annual payment are $25 per month ($225 total). Scholarships are available depending on financial need; speak with Fred Coleman directly.
Other small fees may be incurred from time to time. Study CDs are available as music
learning aids, and they generally cost $3.00 each. (They are also available to download
for free from our members’ Web site.) From time to time, members will be given the
option to purchase their choral scores.
- What is expected for performance attire?
Men:
The dress standard for men is a matte-black tuxedo, a formal white shirt with a winged collar and flat pleats (no ruffles), and black oxford-type dress shoes with black socks or stockings. A black bow tie and vest need to be purchased from local sources; for more information, talk with your section leader.
Women:
The new dress standard for women is an all-black skirt and top from ConcertBlack.com. You have a choice of four tops and two skirts; see the Members' page (Performance Wardrobe) for details. Black, closed-toed dress shoes and black hose are required.
- When and where are rehearsals?
The Seattle Choral Company rehearses on Tuesday evenings. Our rehearsals are scheduled
from 7:00pm (sharp) to 9:30pm. During concert weeks, a 6:30pm warm-up is customary
at the concert venue and the rehearsal ends at 10:00pm. We meet in the basement
Social Hall of University
Christian Church, located in Seattle’s University District. The church address
is 4731 15th Ave NE (at the corner of 15th Ave NE and NE 50th St). On-street parking
is FREE after 6:00pm. There is parking lot across the street from the church entrance
which has an evening parking fee of $2.00.
- What other responsibilities are expected of me as a member of the Seattle Choral Company?
The Seattle Choral Company is a non-profit organization largely run by volunteers.
We require members to participate in the operation of the organization commensurate
with their time and abilities.Ê This could include: volunteering in the office, becoming
a section leader, helping with one of our many fund raising events, assisting with
rehearsal operations, assisting with concert functions, or other operational or
avocational duties.