Choir Auditions
Audition Requirements for the College Choir
Individual Audition
This lasts about 25 minutes, takes place in MAC 315 or the Chapel, and includes
- conversation with the conductor about your goals in joining the College Choir,
- vocal warm up led by the conductor (but genuinely for you to simply get singing), and
- singing music excerpts with the conductor.
A prepared solo is not a part of the audition. Please see the schedule below after you read the following information! Please read the Expectations portion of this page carefully.
Call Back (second) Audition
A call back audition is required, by invitation from the conductor if after your individual audition, it seems there may be a place for you in the choir at this time. (Choir membership changes slightly every semester, so this second step is particularly important.) In this audition, new singers join a group of returning singers to see how all our voices fit together, including
- singing alone on their part of a polyphonic choral setting or excerpt,
- singing with other singers of the same voice part.
Typically, the conductor emails new singers about call backs later in the week of initial auditions.
Expectations of College Choir Singers
- 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 together!)
- Familiarity reading notated music
- Some experience singing in choirs (high school, youth choir, or church choir typical)
Reading Notated Music
The College Choir learns most of their repertoire from the printed page from music notation. College Choir singers need to be reasonably and similarly comfortable with music notation in the context of ensemble rehearsals, to help singers feel supported by each others’ musicianship as well as challenged by the repertoire and demands of ensemble performance.
It is most helpful when ensemble members strive for a generally similar level of accomplishment in their work in 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, new students may be required to commit rather quickly about cost and logistics of choir travel.
Audition Schedule
Spring Semester by appointment: please email Professor Jeff Buettner buettner@middlebury.edu to request an audition.
Fall Orientation Week
Tuesday through Friday (September 3-6) by appointment! Please email Professor Jeff Buettner buettner@middlebury.edu to request a time.
Week 1
Monday 9/9: 12:30 - 3:30 PM
Tuesday 9/10: 9:00 - 11:00 AM
Wednesday 9/11: 9:30 - 11:30 AM and 12:30 - 3:30 PM
Thursday 9/12: 9:00 - 11:00 AM
Friday 9/13: 9:30 - 12:30 PM and by appointment
Week 2 by appointment.
Please email buettner@middlebury.edu to request a time. Auditions are scheduled in 30-minute increments (:15 or :45 may be feasible as well).
Audition Excerpts
Please prepare one voice part (to the best of your ability at this time!) of all or a part of each piece below (or as specified for an excerpt). Singers who can and will prepare themselves to even a modest extent are extremely helpful in a choir!
Please know that these pieces do not represent the diversity of the College Choir repertoire, they are selected for practical and pedagogical value and relatively recent in the choir’s performing.
Peace I Leave With You (Amy Beach)
Lord, for Thy tender mercy’s sake (Richard Farrant)
- It is best to open the link in a new window.
- You can find many recordings on YouTube, including those with scrolling score.