PROSPECTIVE MEMBER
INFORMATION
Frequently
Asked Questions
Q. Why does
the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus require auditions?
A. JSC is
dedicated to excellence in performance. Such standards demand that our members
exhibit at least a basic capability for ensemble singing and pitch formation.
What are you looking for in an audition?
A. Mostly
your vocal qualities (timbre, shading, range, etc.) and how well you can
perform in an ensemble. Skill and expertise are a plus, but are often not
requirements. Ability to sing on and
maintain correct pitch, pitch memory and some sight reading skills are checked
in the audition process.
Q. What do
I have to do in the audition?
A. The
auditionee will be asked to sing arpeggios, scales (to the top and bottom of
the singer’s register,) tap a rhythm, repeat some melodic fragments by memory,
sight read a line of a Bach chorale on the singer’s voice part and sing the
melody of America unaccompanied.
Q. Am I
expected to sing from memory?
A. Only to
repeat short melodic fragments played on the piano to test
your pitch memory.
Q. What if
I am nervous and "mess up"?
A. Everyone
is nervous at their audition, and we expect candidates to have "the
butterflies". Remember that we are only using the audition as an
opportunity to learn about you and your voice.
Q. What if
I can’t read music?
A. Many times, audition candidates can read music at only a basic level.
Some basic music-reading skills are expected.
Q. What do
I need to bring to my audition?
A. Nothing
really except a joy of singing.
Q. Must I
sing by myself? Can I sing a duet for my audition?
A. We
prefer to hear your voice alone to best gauge your timbre, range, and other
vocal qualities.
Q. How long
is an audition?
A. A
symphonic choir candidate can expect an audition to last at least five to seven
minutes.
Q. Who will
hear me audition?
A.
Auditions are heard by the Symphony Chorus Director and the Symphony Chorus
Manager.
Q. Will my
audition be taped?
A. The
auditioner may record your audition as a reference tool when writing notes
about your skills and experience.
Q. Are
there only so many places that you can fill,
especially among sopranos?
A. No, we
try to accept as many qualified people as we can.
Q. When
will I know if I am accepted or not?
A. In some
cases audition candidates will be notified at their audition whether they have
been accepted. We reserve the right to notify you by mail after the final
audition date in August.
Q. When and
where are rehearsals?
A. Rehearsals are held Tuesday
nights from 7:30 to 10:00 pm in the Sam Marks Chapel of Jacksonville
University. On performance weeks rehearsals are held every evening in Jacoby
Hall in the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts.
Q. Is there
an application fee?
A. No.
Q. Do I
have to purchase my music?
A. Singers
are given the option of using library scores from the Jacksonville Symphony
Choral Library or of purchasing their own scores.
Q. Are
there any recorded helps for learning the music?
A. Singers
are encouraged to purchase professional recordings of the works we
perform. In addition, rehearsal tapes or
rehearsal CD’s are provided, either complimentary or for a nominal cost of a
few dollars. In addition, singers can go
on the internet and access The Silvis Woodshed
http://www.channel1.com/users/gsilvis/
and access most choral works in midi to help in learning the music.
Q. Is there
an application form? What will you ask me?
A. We have
an application form and ask for basic background information, including your
choral history, instrumental skills, education, and so forth. This helps our
director get a better picture of you, and will not be shared with other
organizations or businesses. A Polaroid
picture is taken and attached to your application to enable the staff to get to
know you by name.
Q. If
accepted, will I have to audition every year?
A. No. If you
sing any concert during a season, which begins in the fall and ends in the
spring, you will probably not be required to audition next year. Some singers
may be asked by the director to audition again even if they sing at concerts
during the year. Singers who are inactive for one season must re-audition. The
director may systemically re-audition each section of the chorus.
Q. What are the seasonal participation requirements once I have been
accepted?
A.
We are asking singers to commit to singing four productions, Beethoven:
Symphony 9 and Dvorak: Te Deum, Handel: Messiah, Christmas Pops,
and Viva Opera: Viva Verdi. Singers are given an option of
participating in the opera production. The chorus is chosen from the list of
those interested. It is necessary to fulfill the attendance requirements for
each of these productions. Participation cards and the updated schedule will be
sent out in the summer. When you return the card, you can indicate your interest
in participating in JSO's opera production, Verdi's La Traviata.
Responsibilities
of Chorus Members
Part
Learning:
Notes, rhythms, pronunciation,
and phrasing need to be learned before rehearsals. Prior to the second rehearsal, all measures
should be numbered starting with the first complete measure, and written score
markings, pronunciation guides and translations should be entered into the
score. In sectionals, we solidify parts
and work on balance, blend, tone quality, contextual problems, and interpretation.
Practice
Discipline: Maintain a regular practice
schedule outside of rehearsal. Even if
you don't play piano or sight-read well, a daily score review of 20 minutes
will help you mentally practice things like diction, rhythm, pronunciation, and
dynamics.
Rehearsal
Attendance:
Weekly piano rehearsals are
where we become a choir. Final
rehearsals are ultimately important for the gel of all forces. Thus, chorus members should place a high
priority on regular rehearsal attendance. Attendance is recorded at all rehearsals.
Absence: While no absences are encouraged, it is
understood that a volunteer, community-based ensemble such as the JSC needs to
have some flexibility in attendance policy. At the same time, our professional mission makes a rigorous and fairly
administered attendance standard necessary. Thus, a maximum of two absences is allowable (for certain rehearsals)
during a concert preparation schedule (typically 9-12 rehearsals). Should you need to miss a rehearsal, you
should notify the Chorus Manager in advance.
Final orchestral
rehearsals should be considered mandatory.
Any exceptions must be approved by the Director of the JSC.
Extenuating
circumstances such as family emergency, TDY, illness, bereavement, etc., will
be handled flexibly on a case-by-case basis.
Should you
miss a rehearsal, get rehearsal notes from another member of your section, mark
your music, and practice your part accordingly before the next rehearsal so
that your absence will only minimally affect the group's progress.
At
Rehearsals
Warm-ups:
It is important that you come to rehearsal on time, and not miss the
warm-ups. During this initial 5-10
minute period, we focus mentally, physically prepare the vocal mechanism for
singing, and emotionally prepare for full expression of the composer's intent.
Listen: A good general rule is to listen to yourself
20%, and to others 80%. This includes
listening 20% to other members of your own section, and 20% each to the other
three main sections (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and/or Bass).
Concentration and Focus: These are necessary for optimal rehearsal
pacing and efficiency, and to train ourselves for the intense mental, physical,
and expressive demands of high caliber, professional-quality performances.
General Advice: Work for uniform vowels, rhythmic consonants,
and tone quality which is natural, free, and
vibrant. Resist the temptation to
competitively sing louder than your neighbor. Avoid excessive vibrato and blatant, uncontrolled singing. Listen and make slight adjustments in tuning,
vowel, and balance. Count. Bring a pencil to every rehearsal and mark
all instructions in your score. Use
pencil only.
Concert Dress: Black, formal, conservative, blending. No jewelry, cologne, perfume,
or beeping watches. Minimum
unscented hairspray if necessary.
* Women:
Long, black dress
with at least three quarter-length sleeves. No frills, decoration, sheer sleeves or
bodices, slit skirts, or material that draws attention to itself. Dark
stockings and black shoes.
* Men: Black tuxedo, white shirt, black bow tie,
black cummerbund. Jackets buttoned on stage. Black socks and dress shoes that take a
shine.