Thank you for your interest in singing with The Schuylkill Choral Society, widely acknowledged as one of the finest Choral Societies in the state. The Choral Society is comprised of 80 volunteer singers ranging from high school students to retirees.

Auditions for applicants are held in late August early September, and the frist and second week of January. You may contact the Choral Society office at 570-628-3388, or send an email to schchoral@gmail.com to schedule an audition. Please be sure to read all of the following information before requesting an audition.

LOCATION

Auditions and rehearsals are held at:

     First United Church of Christ

     110 Route 61 South

     Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972

First United Church of Christ Church is located at 110 Route 61 S Schuylkill Haven. Entrance is to the rear of the church.

MEMBERSHIP

Members are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances. Concert schedules are planned in advance of each season. (not including optional performance opportunities). Note: If an applicant is not available and unable to commit to the rehearsal and performance schedule, a special waiver may be requested at the time of the audition. Approval will be at the sole discretion of the Music Director.

Guidelines for Members: You are expected to fulfill your commitment to the rehearsal and performance schedule (not including optional performance opportunities) as indicated at the time of your audition, and reaffirmed at the time of your invitation and contract signing. If you must miss any rehearsals (2 is the maximum except in certain circumstances) or performances for which you had previously indicated your availability, you are requested to notify the Section Leader as soon as possible. Based on such unanticipated absences, the Music Director reserves the right to ask a member to step down from a given concert, or to withdraw for the remainder of the season. The music director reserves the right to revoke membership for any chorister at any time based on repeated attendance failures, musical reasons, or any other considerations. You may request a leave of absence during the season for any reason, at any time. Approval will be at the discretion of the Music Director, and if granted, will not change your status as a member.

AUDITIONS

Auditions will be approximately 5 to 10 minutes long, and held with the Music Director, Assistant Director and Pianist. Follow-up auditions, if needed, are held with the Music Director.

In auditions, you will be asked to demonstrate all or some of the following:

Range - Scales, simple vocalization, and a familiar song;

Pitch perception / Tonal memory - Matching a series of tones from the piano and singing tones; Rhythm - Clapping or speaking written rhythm patterns;

Music Reading is not required.

POST AUDITION NOTIFICATION

You will receive a response to your initial audition usually immediately that night or by phone or mail within one week of your audition.

Follow-up audition results are based on a competitive ranking of musical ability along with an acceptable statement of availability and commitment to the rehearsal and performance schedule (not including optional performance opportunities).

Choristers who accept their invitation will be asked at that time to reaffirm their availability and commitment to the rehearsal and performance schedule as indicated on their audition form.

REHEARSALS

Full rehearsals with piano are held every Monday evening, 7:30-9:30 pm at First United Church of Christ, 110 Route 61 S Schuylkill Haven.

Dress rehearsals are held at the site of the upcoming concert(s). These rehearsals normally take place on the Thursday evening before the concert and are mandatory. No performance dress is to be worn on a dress rehearsal. Their approximate times normally are 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.

The Concert season runs from September until approximately mid-May each year.

MEMBERSHIP DUES

Dues $60.00 per season. This is broken down as $45 membership dues and a $15.00 music fee which is put toward the purchase of the music the Choral Society will use during the season.

MUSIC

All music is returned to the Choral Society Librarian at the end of each concert, with all markings erased and is the property of the Choral Society.

You are asked to purchase a formal black choral folder, which you then keep for your own permanent use. These are available from the Choral Society.

CONCERT DRESS

Women

     •Purchase of standard concert gown (Approximately $90.00 - payment plan available)

     •Black shoes

     •No jewelry, except a single string of necklace pearls

     •No perfume or scented body deodorant (This rule also applies to rehearsals)

Men

     •Tuxedo or black suit (no tails), black bow tie, white tuxedo shirt (occasionally red or green bow tie for Christmas)

     •Black shoes

     •No scented body deodorant (This rule also applies to rehearsals)

PERFORMANCES

Most performances are at different venues throughout the county. Generally they are churches or high school auditoriums.

In addition to singing during the regular season, the Schuylkill Choral Society also provides an opportunity to sing with the Mark Thomas Ensemble. The Ensemble performs at small community functions and occasionally during intermission at our own concerts.

Special performances also take place at local community events upon request. Members are encouraged to take part in these community events, but this is not mandatory.

Foreign and Domestic Tours - The Schuylkill Choral Society has gone on several international tours, performing in Canada, Ireland, Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria. The Choral Society also performed at the Lakeside Ball room along with the New York Pops Orchestra, and toured with the Prague Radio Symphony in Prague, Salzburg, Vienna and Russia.

Participation in additional performances and tours are strictly voluntary.