Capital Choir Auditions

Do I have to audition to be in a choir?

Yes. The audition is our opportunity to acquaint ourselves with your singing voice in order to determine the best placement for you.

What choirs are there and when do they rehearse?

Chapel Choir (MUSIC 060) SATB Voices
Monday/Wednesday/Friday 2:00-2:50 p.m. & Tuesday/Thursday 2:00-3:15 p.m.

This select mixed (SATB) ensemble is the Conservatory's most well-known choir and is recognized as one of the outstanding elite college choral groups in the nation. The Chapel Choir tours both nationally and internationally. Their most recent concert tours include South Africa, Ireland, Colorado, Florida, Washington D.C., Chicago and Carnegie Hall in NYC. Recent performances for the Chapel Choir include being featured in the premier of a new work by internationally known composer Jake Runestad for the American Choral Directors Association National Conference in Kansas City, a Gala Concert with the infamous Eric Whitacre, a 2019 International Concert Tour to the Netherlands and Belgium and a concert with orchestra on Carnegie Hall stage in New York City on March 8, 2020. Travel plans for the Chapel Choir for the 2022-23 year include a Midwest Tour with concerts in Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, and an International Concert Tour to Spain.

Capital Choral Union (MUSIC 062) SATB Voices student/community singers
Monday 7:00-9:00 p.m.

The Choral Union is another select mixed (SATB) ensemble including university students, both music majors and non-music majors and Capital alumni, (including several Chapel Choir alumni) as well as singers from throughout the Columbus area. The Choral Union presents their own concerts as well as joint concerts with the Chapel Choir, Capital Cantabile and the Capital Consort. The Choral Union was also part of the Gala Concert with Eric Whitacre, the 2019 International Concert Tour to the Netherlands and Belgium and the Carnegie Hall performance.

Capital Cantabile (MUSIC 064) SSA Voices
Tuesday/Thursday 3:30-4:45 p.m.

This ensemble for soprano and alto voices performs a variety of sacred and secular choral literature and presents their own concerts as well as joint concerts with the Chapel Choir, Choral Union and the Consort.

Capital Consort (MUSIC 070-10) TTB Voices
Wednesday 7:30-9:00 p.m.

This ensemble of tenor and bass voices performs a variety of sacred and secular choral literature and presents their own concerts as well as joint concerts with the Chapel Choir, Choral Union and Cantabile.

Philomel (MUSIC 070-12) SATB a cappella ensemble
Tuesday/Thursday 3:30-4:30 p.m.

This chamber vocal ensemble of 8-14 singers for mixed (SATB) voices sings both traditional and contemporary a cappella music from Renaissance madrigals to jazz and contemporary/pop music. They present their own concerts as well as perform at other special events/concerts and festivals.

How do I sign up for an audition?

Audition sign-ups will be done online. You will need to fill out the Google Form in order to schedule a time. It is a very simple process, which will take less than a minute! Try to schedule the earliest possible time. Later times fill up and sometimes there is an overflowing demand the last day before rehearsals start. Sign up at the link below that best describes you:

All Interested Singers (any class and year) and Community Members:
To schedule an audition, simply sign up for a time on our Capital Choral Auditions form .

First Year Voice Majors:
To schedule an audition, sign up for a time on our First Year Voice Majors form.

Try to schedule the earliest possible time: Later times fill up and sometimes there is an overflowing demand the last day before rehearsals begin.

I am a community member interested in signing in the Choral Union. How do I sign up for an audition?

The audition process is the same for the Choral Union as it is for the other ensembles. Choral Union rehearsals begin in early October. Choral Auditions for Community members will take place in late August. To schedule an audition, simply sign up for a time online.

Where do choral auditions take place?

Choral Auditions this semester will take place in Mees Hall, Room 205 or 208.

What do I need to prepare for the audition?

Auditionees may choose to prepare a song for their audition, and if so, may be asked to sing it. Prepared songs can be very simple and should be something you are comfortable singing.

Prepared songs are not a requirement to audition. Not preparing a song will not limit your chances of being accepted into a Capital Choir.

What time do I need to arrive for my scheduled audition?

Plan to arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled audition time in order to fill out an additional audition form.

What happens in a typical audition?

If you have a prepared piece, you will sing that first. Following that, a few quick exercises will be done to determine your vocal range, tonal memory, and sight-reading skills. After completing any and all rounds of auditions in which a student is invited to participate, the ensemble lists will be finalized.

What do I do if I don't have a "prepared piece?"

Do not worry. We have a number of familiar songs and folk songs at the audition that you may sing or you can sing any song that you may know. We just want to hear how your voice sounds so we can recommend the right choir for you.

Will there be an accompanist?

Normally, yes, we provide an accompanist for your audition.

Do I need to bring anything with me to the audition?

If you have a prepared piece, you would bring your music.

I am not good at sightreading. Do I have to do it?

Sight-reading is a part of the audition. We realize not everyone has been trained to sight-read so we just ask that you do the best you can. By going through the process, this will help us find the right choir for you.

How do I know what choir to schedule?

You will know what choir you have been placed into when the lists are posted.

Do I have to be a music major to be in a choir?

Absolutely not! In fact, in some groups there are more non-majors than majors. We have countless singers in the choirs each year who major in a degree other than music. All students are encouraged and welcomed to audition regardless of experience or perceived ability level. All groups, including the Chapel Choir, have non-majors among their members. If you like to sing, there's a Capital Choir for you!

Can I audition for more than one choir?

Yes. The audition process is designed to take each singer through a series of rounds to determine his/her best and most appropriate choir placement. All singers are initially considered for all choirs. Final placements are determined by considering singer interest, audition performance, and schedule availability.

Can I audition for more than one voice part?

Yes. Each singer is thoroughly tested to determine his/her most appropriate voice part. The decision is made by considering the singer’s vocal range, color, and tone clarity.

Do we register for the choir before auditions, or do we wait until we know which choir we are in?

Most students will wait until auditions are completed and the final rosters are posted before registering for the class. Once the rosters have been determined, the directors of each ensemble will submit their roster to the Registrar, who will then add the ensemble to your schedule. If you have registered for an ensemble already, but are placed in an alternate ensemble, you or the ensemble director will make the change. It is each student’s responsibility to verify their ensemble has been added to their schedule.

I have a class conflict with the choir I have been placed in. What do I do?

Do not panic. Nearly all class conflicts can be managed and you may be able to find another section or sections that will fit your schedule and allow you to sing in a choir. Talk with your ensemble director who can assist you with making changes to your schedule.

Sing in a Capital Choir!