Festival Chorus Audition Information

AUDITION NOTICE AND INFORMATION FOR MUSICFEST’S FESTIVAL CHORUS

Returning members may register HERE.

For New Members:

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS 

Please note that the Festival Chorus is a volunteer position unless you are a section leader, which is a paid position.

AUDITION SUBMISSION DEADLINE (EXTENDED): December 29, 2025

Who Can Audition?

Auditions are a chance for our Chorus Director to hear voices and assess your abilities to fit into the Festival Chorus for this year’s masterwork. Experienced singers over the age of 18 are invited to audition (high school graduates not yet age 18 may be considered on a case-by-case basis). All members of the Chorus are volunteers.

How Can I Audition?

All auditions this year will take place virtually. Candidates may be accepted into the Chorus from a video audition, or in certain cases, both a video and a live audition.

Complete the Prospective Member Information Form, which includes a place to highlight your singing, training, and other relevant musical experience. It will also include a place to put in an unlisted link to your video audition.

Video Audition:

You may submit a recording in any digital format via a link to an unlisted YouTube or Google Drive video (for Google Drive, make sure permissions are set to “Anyone with a link”). The video should be no longer than 4 minutes in length, recorded using a video camera, your computer camera, or even your phone’s camera. It does not need to have high production value, but it does need to be of sufficient quality to reasonably represent your voice. Make sure your voice can be heard clearly on the recording.

• Repertoire: Auditioners should prepare one short piece (art song, aria, folk song, hymn, or musical theatre piece) approximately 1.5–2 minutes in length, in any language, with or without the accompaniment.
• Range: Perform in the vocal range for which you wish to be considered in the Chorus. (e.g. a very high selection for Soprano 1 or Tenor 1, very low for Bass 2, etc.). Please note that the Chorus Director may choose to offer you a place in a different section if he feels this is where you can make the most positive contribution to the Chorus.
• Vocalize: After performing your solo, demonstrate the full range of your voice by singing a simple, repeated vocal pattern up and down through your entire range. We recommend you sing a repeated pattern on one vowel (such as an “ah” on the pattern Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-Fa-Mi-Re-Do, or similar pattern). Begin by singing this pattern in the middle of your range, and then repeat the pattern again and again as you go up to your highest note and then down to your lowest usable vocal range. If it is more convenient for you, this may be done on a separate audio or video submission.

Live Audition (if applicable)

It is possible you will be invited to a live audition before being formally accepted into the chorus. If you are asked to come in for a live audition, you may be asked to do one or more of the following:

• Perform a prepared solo (it could be the same piece you auditioned with on video) and demonstrate their range and quality in simple vocalizing and tonal memory exercises.
• Your music does not need to be memorized, but you are encouraged to perform ‘off-book’ if that is more comfortable for you.
  • Bring two extra copies of your music: 1 copy for the pianist and 1 copy for the Chorus Director

Candidates will be notified through December or by December 30 if they are accepted into the Chorus. 

• When is the performance and where does it take place?
  Sunday, February 22, 2026, 3pm
  La Casa de Cristo Church
  6300 E Bell Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
• Is this a paid opportunity? The chorus is a volunteer opportunity. If you are interested in being a paid section leader position, please contact Josh Condon at josh@azmusicfest.org.
• When and where are the rehearsals?
  The Annex @ Arizona Musicfest
  7950 E Thompson Peak Parkway
  Scottsdale, AZ 85255
  Tuesday, January 6, 7-10pm
  Tuesday, January 13, 7-10pm
  Tuesday, January 20, 7-10pm
  Tuesday, January 27, 7-10pm
  Tuesday, February 3, 7-10pm
  Tuesday, February 10, 7-10pm
  Tuesday, February 17, 7-10pm
  Thursday, February 19, 7-10 pm
  Feb 20-21: TBD Rehearsals with Orchestra (at La Casa de Cristo Church)
• What if I’m a returning member to the Festival Chorus? Previous members can return by registering here. We hope to see you back! 
• Do I have to audition if I’m already a part of an existing audition-only Valley choir program? No. Instead, please register by clicking here and cite which ensemble you currently sing with in the “About Me” box.
• What is I’m not a current member of an audition-only chorus? Please read the instructions for prospective members by clicking here. When ready, click here to fill out the application. 
• Are there practice tracks available? Yes! You will be given practice tracks of just your part to rehearse with, along with other helpful tools from ChoralTracks.com.
• Do I have to know other languages to participate? You do not need to know other languages! All of the lyrics are written out phonetically. The practice tracks will help you with pronunciations.
  
• Is there an in person way to audition? Yes. While virtual auditions (pre-recorded video on your phone) are highly recommended, there will be a live audition day on Tuesday, December 16. Time TBD.
• What is the deadline to be a part of the chorus?  This date has been extended to December 29 for applications to be accepted but we encourage you to submit earlier in the month.