College Choir Auditions
The College Choir is an auditioned choral ensemble of Middlebury College students, conducted by Jeff Buettner, Director of Choral Activities and Christian A. Johnson Professor of Music.
2022-2023 Audition Information
In 2022-2023, the choir will be conducted by Ronnie Romano ’20, during Professor Buettner’s academic leave.
Please this THIS RESOURCES SITE for information about auditions in 2022-2023!
Requirements
The initial individual audition lasts about 20 minutes, and includes
- A conversation about your goals in joining the choir,
- A conversation about the College Choir community itself,
- A vocal warm up, and
- Singing a few music excerpts with the conductor.
It is a friendly, supportive meeting in which you warm up your voice, and sing, and a prepared solo is not a part of the audition. Please see the schedule below after you read the following information!
Expectations
- Firm commitment to the rehearsal schedule (M/W 4:30-6:30 PM) and all performances
- Prioritizing of College Choir events highly amidst other extra-curricular activities (choral singing is ensemble singing - you need to be there)
- Familiarity reading music (though sight reading is not tested)
- Some experience singing in choirs (this may vary widely)
Reading Notated Music
The College Choir learns most of their repertoire from the printed page, including music notation. This audition helps ensure all singers are reasonably and similarly comfortable with music notation in the context of ensemble rehearsals. This makes rehearsal efficient, and means that singers feel supported as well as challenged, and that ensemble members strive for a generally similar level of accomplishment in their work in the Choir. We seek to nurture an ensemble of similar experiences and goals in choral music.
Spring Auditions
Spring auditions are by appointment with the conductor. Students interested in joining College Choir are welcome to audition in January (as available) or the first week of spring semester. After the first week of spring semester, auditions may be closed, but you are still welcome to inquire! Students joining in spring should note the general expectation that the choir remain on campus during Senior Week. In years when the choir tours in May/June (as in Spring 2022), new students may be required to commit rather quickly about cost and logistics of choir travel.
The choral pieces below are suggested as preparation for auditions. If possible, please prepare one voice part, any section or all of the piece, or as noted by the links below. Singers who can and will prepare themselves to even a modest extent are extremely helpful in a choir!
Audition Excerpts for 2021-2022
Option 1: Sopranos should prepare the “Amen” of the alto part as well as the soprano in The Lord Bless You and Keep You.
Option 2: Justorum animae is for students with fairly extensive choral music background. Feel free to try it, regardless of how well you think you might learn it—all efforts are appreciated! You may prepare only bars 1-15 if you wish.