Choral Auditions | Graduate Choral Conductiong
Choral Auditions
Please read ALL information carefully.
Membership in all choral ensembles is open to all students at the University of North Texas. Auditions are required to be a member of the A Cappella Choir, Collegium Singers, University Singers, and Concert Choir. All auditions are BY APPOINTMENT. You may sign up for an audition as of July 1st, 2017.
Choral Audition Dates 2017-2018 Academic Year
Auditions will be held in MU230 (Choir Room):
- Thursday, August 24, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Friday, August 25, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday, August 26, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday, August 27, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Audition Procedure
- REGISTER for Men's Chorus (undergrad: MULB 1815.500; grad: MULB 5171.505) or Women's Chorus (undergrad: MULB 1803.500; grad: MULB 5171.503) before you audition. Though you will not necessarily be in that choir, this secures your spot in a choir and avoids late registration fees from the University. After auditions we will change your registration to the correct ensemble.
- SIGN UP for an audition time HERE.
- COMPLETE an information form HERE.
- ARRIVE 15 minutes early on your audition date.
- The audition will INCLUDE: (1) a simple ear-training and sight-singing test; (2) vocalizing on various vowels to display range and tone quality; (3) melodic pattern recognition; and (4) a short excerpt from your choice of an artsong (no arias, please).
- An ACCOMPANIST will be provided. Please prepare your music with clearly marked cuts and instructions. Music should be double-sided and placed in a three ring binder. To avoid glare, do not place music in plastic sheet covers or protectors.
- CALLBACK auditions will be held during the first week of classes. Callback information will be emailed and posted on the Choral Bulletin Board (across from room MU217). Failure to attend a callback audition will jeopardize your being placed in one of the auditioned ensembles.
Graduate Choral Conducting
APPLICATIONS
Application Materials: Apply online here. Once completed forms and all required materials have been received and evaluated, the choral faculty will invite selected applicants to campus for an interview and audition with one of our university choirs. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Allen Hightower at Allen.Hightower@unt.edu. Applications are due by the first Monday in December.
AUDITION DATE
We generally audition no more than 8 candidates on these dates.
DMA: January 29, 2018
MM: January 30, 2018
Audition Day Sample Schedule
Noon - Lunch with Dr. Hightower and panel as available
1:00 - Meet with current graduate students
2:00 - Auditions with the UNT A Cappella Choir
3:30 - Interviews with the panel in 15-20 minute slots
The interview schedule is set when the candidates arrive on campus. The interview will also include some vocalizing.
AUDITION INFORMATION
Video
Your video should include rehearsal and performances recordings of your conducting. The camera should face the conductor. Video submissions may be in digital upload or DVD format.
Application Deadline
Because our on-campus choral conducting audition date is January 29th and it takes several weeks for the application materials to clear the university, the college and finally get to us, you would be well served if your application packet got to us no later than December 1st . Early December is preferred.
Application Process
Go to the College of Music web site and apply online. Be sure to include a video of your conducting (view of the conductor) comprised of rehearsal and performance.
On-Campus Audition
Once we receive and evaluate your materials, we will make a determination about inviting you to campus for an audition and interview. We will do our best to let you know at least a month before the audition date on January 29, 2018. The earlier we receive your materials, the earlier we can make this determination.
Audition Process
The student will conduct 2 pieces in the audition.
Piece #1: Title to be assigned by the Director of Choral Studies. The candidate will conduct straight through the work (or movement), giving the audition panel an opportunity to see the candidate's artistry and physical communication skills a conductor. The candidate may not coach the choir verbally.
Piece #2: Title to be decided upon by the candidate and the Director of Choral Studies. The candidate will choose an episode of the work and rehearse it for approximately 6-8 minutes. The aim is to make as much difference in the performance of the episode as possible in the allotted time.
Auditions Panel
Dr. Allen Hightower, Director of Choral Studies
Dr. Richard Sparks, Chair of Conducting and Ensembles
Dr. Joshua Habermann, Lecturer and Director, Dallas Symphony Orchestra Choruses