FUHS Advanced Choir Auditions for 2014-2015

Students in the Choral Music Program at FUHS will have three options for participating in an Advanced Choir
and earning upper level credits. Please read the following carefully to determine if you qualify for advanced
level, and how you should go about securing the spot you want in an advanced choir.

Mens Ensemble all male singers who are in their second year or more of singing in Mens Chorus will
receive Ensemble credit on their transcript. The course is still called Mens Chorus, and that is what will appear
on your school documents during the year. The change will be made following the school year (changes for
students who qualify from the 2013-2014 school year are being made now).

Womens Ensemble all female singers who desire to participate in an upper level choir need to audition for the
Womens Ensemble. Prerequisite is successful completion of at least one year in Womens Chorus (letter grade
of A or B, and citizenship/work habits of S or better). NOTE: Returning members from the 2013-2014
Womens Ensemble do not need to re-audition for Womens Ensemble; you were part of an outstanding group
and your continued participation and commitment to carrying on the high standards and traditions of the
Womens Ensemble is all that is needed. !

Vocal Ensemble we will see the return of the Vocal Ensemble this year! This group will be a small (20-28
members) mixed group. The size of the ensemble will be determined by the number of students who audition in
all voice parts; a balanced VE example would be 6 sopranos, 6 altos, 6 tenors, and 6 basses. We must have an
equal and balanced number of qualified students in each vocal section.

One additional advanced ensemble will continue to the be Concert Choir, a combined choir group which
includes the Mens Chorus, Womens Ensemble, and the Vocal Ensemble. This class does not require a separate
audition.

Mens Chorus and Womens Chorus are the entry-level choirs into the Choral Music Program. All freshmen
must be enrolled in these classes.

Audition Information

Audition Dates are July 31 and August 1 during Orientation. All students are expected to attend Orientation, so
it makes sense to hold our auditions at this time.

Audition times sign up online. www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0B4FA4AB2FA3FA7-fuhs/

Auditions are designed to allow the student to show their abilities in the following areas:

Vocal Tone Quality the sound of your voice. A healthy, well supported vocal tone is what you want. That is
how we work in the FUHS Choral Music Program. Think of Classical Voice and Opera as your vocal models.
Musical Theatre, Jazz, and Pop are vocal styles, which can be worked on over time, but the base model for good
vocal habits is the classical road. This is true not just for us at FUHS but in all college and university music
programs.

Vocal Range how high, low, and where your strongest parts of your voice are in relationship to notes on the
scale. This helps to determine your vocal part as well.

Musical Ear tells how well you hear pitches and patterns and can reproduce them with your voice.

Sight Reading your ability to look at music and interpret what is on the page. This includes not only notes and
rhythms, but musical terms and symbols as well.
Audition Process

Students must first download the Audition Packet, fill it out completely, and bring it with them.
Make sure it is completely filled out and legible!

Students must sign up for an audition time via SignUpGenius.

Arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled time.

Sing scales and simple vocal exercises as requested by the director during your audition. Tone
Quality and Range are assessed through this part of the audition.

Tonal Memory Patterns. Listening to a pattern of notes and being able to sing them back with
your voice. Musical Ear is assessed through this part of the audition.

Reading a simple passage of music, singing the correct notes and rhythms, along with any
musical terms and symbols being observed. This assesses your level of understanding of what
is on the musical page and how well you can interpret it with your voice.

Solo Presentation. All singers will be asked to sing Happy Birthday. Choose a key that best
suits your range, and perform it well. You will be assessed on Vocal Tone Quality, Intonation,
correct notes and rhythms, communication of the text, and the musical impression.

Everything that is expected of you in the auditions comes from what is taught in any good
standards based choral group. You may want to do some review of things:

Try a Google search of High School Choral Auditions. You will find numerous sites with
further explanations of good choral singing, exercises and drills to practice, and examples of
sight-reading.

All students who wish to be part of the FUHS Choral Music Program are encouraged to sign up
for a choir and audition for an advanced level if they feel they are ready for it. We welcome
everyone.

The Auditions are a way to place students where they will best fit in and ultimately have the
greatest success during their year in a choir at FUHS. Take a chance! You might have just
what is needed for one of our Advanced Choirs.

Audition Questions?

First reread all of the information. Second email Mr. Hedgecock at shedgecock@fjuhsd.net

Sign up online for your audition time at www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0B4FA4AB2FA3FA7-fuhs/