Audition Information
Auditions for Advanced Ensembles
*revised 2/7/24
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Madrigal Singers
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 4:00-6:00pm
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Advanced Treble Ensemble
Thursday, April 25, 2024 4:00-6:00pm
in the Foothill H. S. Choir Room, 406
Audition Process:
Auditions are a four stage process that include a solo performance, quartet performance, sight reading, and blending. Auditioning takes place with all singers in the choir room together. After each stage, singers will leave the choir room, a call back will be posted, and singers on the list will come back to complete the next stage of the audition.
1st stage- Students must learn an excerpt of the provided choral piece "Danny Boy" for Madrigals and "Poor Wayfarin' Stranger" for Adv. Treble Ensemble.
Each student will sing their part as a solo and will be adjudicated on tone quality, vowel formations, intonation, and resonance.
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2nd stage- The next part of the audition process will evaluate each student's ability to sing their part (SATB, SSA) independently. Students will sing "Danny Boy" or "Poor Wayfarin'
Stranger" in quartets.
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3rd stage- Next, each student will sing a short sight reading excerpt. The sight reading examples are in the PDF below. Students will receive their first pitch and the tonic chord, then they will sight read a cappella.
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4th stage- Lastly, students will sing in sections and will rotate in and out to observe timbre shifts.
MADRIGALS
Solo performance of "Danny Boy" in one's own voice part (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, or Bass)
-During the solo performance, students will be adjudicated on:
- tone quality
-vowel formations
-intonation
-resonance/volume
Danny Boy Score
ADVANCED TREBLE ENSEMBLE
Solo performance of "Poor Wayfarin' Stranger" in one's own voice part (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, or Bass)
-During the solo performance, students will be adjudicated on:
- tone quality
-vowel formations
-intonation
-resonance/volume
SIGHT READING
-Students may practice from the examples in the pdf.
-Students must demonstrate basic sight reading skills
and musicianship.
Sight Reading Examples
Students can expect to receive the final decision one to two weeks following the audition**

Because spots in the Madrigal Singers and Advanced Treble Ensemble are high in demand but few in number, Mrs. Dehn cannot always place everyone that she would like to in the ensembles. Even if they do not make the ensemble, students are encouraged to continue to sing and practice, and consider singing in Concert Choir or Bass Choir.
**Upon acceptance, students are given a packet of music to learn over the summer, and are expected to come prepared to sing on the first day of school in August.
Requirements
​The biggest requirement is to have a good attitude, and have fun! Choir is a great way to get performing arts credit and have a good time. The students' favorite part of the year is usually during the Knights Shows, where they get to perform their favorite songs from the radio, Broadway, and movies. No previous singing experience is required!
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A syllabus with mandatory commitment dates will be given out upon acceptance, and again during the first week of school.
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Students accepted into an auditioned choir (Madrigals or Advanced Treble Ensemble) are required to learn the given summer repertoire by the first week of school.
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