Concert Singers of Cary

You can submit an audition request via the online forms below. You will be contacted by our auditions coordinator about upcoming audition dates. In addition, please join our email list to to learn about other exciting CSC events.

Concert Singers of Cary Symphonic Choir (125-135 voices)

The Concert Singers of Cary Symphonic Choir is a large volunteer community chorus that serves Cary and its surrounding areas. The Symphonic Choir frequently sings extended Concert choral works with area Symphonic sized orchestras such as The North Carolina Symphony, as well as community orchestras and instrumental ensembles such as The Raleigh Symphony, The Durham Symphony and The Triangle Wind Ensemble. While our singers are volunteers, they are required to have a fully professional approach in their musical expectations in rehearsal and performance.

The Symphonic Choir performs in venues such as Meymandi Hall at The Progress Energy Center, The Koka Booth Amphitheater and the Cary Arts Center. The Symphonic Choir frequently collaborates with other community organizations and seeks any and all opportunities to reach out to explore cultures, unite people and promote community.

Qualifications

• Singers should have a basic understanding of music notation (recognize quarter notes, half notes, etc) and terminology (understand piano and forte markings etc) . A Good source for this is http://www.auburn.edu/~schafwr/theorybasics.html If you are knowledgeable of lines and spaces as well as scales and meter, we can teach you the rest
• Open to men and women, aged 16 or older.
• Current or past private voice study is not required
• Choral experience in church, school or community choirs.
• Ideal candidates will be highly enthusiastic, conscientious, reliable, hard working and dedicated people who want to perform a wide variety of vocal music.
• Committed to the organization and willing to help out in non singing areas where they are able.
• Be willing to sing, or learn to sing, in Latin, German, Italian or any other language when provided with resources and coaching free of charge by us.
• Have a passion for fine ensemble singing.
• Be available for at least 80% of all rehearsals scheduled in advance for a given project.
• Be available for all Symphonic Choir concerts.
• Be available for one or two mandatory rehearsals with orchestra that typically occur on the weekends.

Audition requirements:

• The ideal way is for you to prepare any song of your choosing that is at your comfort level that you believe shows you at your best.
• As an alternative, you may sing America the Beautiful (PDF) or any other hymn of your choice. It is important though that you come prepared to sing something specific.
• An accompanist will be provided. We do not use prerecorded music in auditions.
• Selections do not need to be from memory, but if you use music bring an extra copy for the accompanist.
• (Your audition is private, and will take place in a closed room with Larry Speakman, our CSC director, Allen Bailey, our accompanist and one membership committtee assistant. Start to finish, the audition will take ten minutes or less. You will be notified by e-mail regarding your audition results.)

How to Request an Audition:
visit http://concertsingers.org to see the scheduled dates and times for auditions. Fill out the online form for your preferred time and you will be contacted by our membership chair for final date and time confirmation.

Concert Singers of Cary Chorale (70 voices)

The Concert Singers of Cary Chorale is a 70 voice volunteer chorus that sings extended Concert choral works in a fully professional rehearsal and performance environment. The Chorale singes works such as Mozart Requiem and Beethoven Mass in C with the all professional Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle at venues such as The Carolina Theater and the Cary Arts Center. The Chorale also serves as the core of all performances involving The North Carolina Symphony.

Qualifications

• Singers should be strong readers and be well versed in music notation and terminology.
• Open to men and women aged 18 or older
• Current or past private voice study is desirable.
• Ideal candidates will be highly flexible, vocally, personally and musically and enthusiastic about performing a wide variety of music as the needs of the music dictate.
• An ability to sing in Latin, German, Italian and French language diction with a reasonable amount of coaching
• Have a passion for fine ensemble singing.
• Be available for two or more days of concentrated rehearsal and performance.

Audition requirements:

• Be prepared to sing a song or aria from the classical tradition that you feel shows you at your best. Ideally, it should be in a foreign language and demonstrate ability at singing fast melismatic passages. It does not need to be sung from memory.
• In addition to your selection include the following excerpts from Handel’s Messiah (PDF available on the online audition form):
• (Your audition is private, and will take place in a closed room with Larry Speakman, our CSC director, Allen Bailey, our accompanist and one membership committtee assistant. Start to finish, the audition will take ten minutes or less. You will be notified by e-mail regarding your audition results.)

“For Unto us a Child is Born” (PDF)
-Soprano: Measures 7-18
-Alto: Measures 56-61
-Tenor: Measures 38-41
-Bass: Measures 19-25

“All We Like Sheep” (PDF)
-Soprano: Measures 11-29
-Alto: Measures 13-23
-Tenor: Measures 23-43
-Bass: Measures 43-53

Please sing these as close to quarter note=110 as possible.

How to Request an Audition: visit http://concertsingers.org to see the scheduled dates and times for auditions. Fill out the online form for your preferred time and you will be contacted by our membership chair for final date and time confirmation.

Concert Singers of Cary Chamber Choir

The Concert Singers of Cary Chamber Choir is an all volunteer ensemble of approximately 30 singers who perform a cappella and small ensemble works from all style periods. They also serve as the core of our 70 voice Concert Singers of Cary Chorale and all performances involving the North Carolina Symphony. Auditions are by appointment in 10 minute intervals. Lawrence Speakman, artistic director and conductor, is interested in the ability of each singer to keep vibrato under control at all volume levels, particularly in high voices. Please keep this in mind as you prepare your audition.

Qualifications

• Singers should be strong readers and be well versed in music notation and terminology.
• Open to men and women aged 18 or older
• Current or past private voice study is desirable
• Ideal candidates will be highly flexible, vocally, personally and musically and enthusiastic about performing a wide variety of music as the needs of the music dictate.
• A background or interest in historically informed Baroque performance practice is a plus
• An ability to sing in Latin, German, Italian and French language diction with a reasonable amount of coaching
• Have a passion for fine ensemble singing.
• Be available for three or more days of concentrated rehearsal and performance.

Audition requirements:

• Be prepared to sing a song or aria from the classical tradition that you feel shows you at your best. Ideally, it should be in a foreign language and demonstrate ability at singing fast melismatic passages. It does not need to be sung from memory.
• Prepare the following excerpt from Handel’s Messiah:

“For Unto us a Child is Born” (PDF)
-Soprano: Measures 7-18
-Alto: Measures 56-61
-Tenor: Measures 38-41
-Bass: Measures 19-25

• Prepare the following excerpt from James Whitbourn’s Luminosity

“Movement X (10) Pages 79- 82 “But All Shall Be Well” (PDF)
-All Voice Parts

• (Your audition is private, and will take place in a closed room with Larry Speakman, our CSC director, Allen Bailey, our accompanist and one membership committtee assistant. Start to finish, the audition will take ten minutes or less. You will be notified by e-mail regarding your audition results.)

Sight Singing – Singers will be presented with a copy of a single melodic line 10 minutes prior to their audition that includes dynamics and articulation markings. They will be asked to sing this a cappella in their audition and will be given three attempts to sing it as accurately as possible.

How to Request an Audition: visit http://concertsingers.org to see the scheduled dates and times for auditions. Fill out the online form for your preferred time and you will be contacted by our membership chair for final date and time confirmation.

Concert Singers of Cary Choral Artists

Professional Choral Singer

Auditions are by electronic submission. You may email mp3’s (10 meg limit per email) or send links to YouTube or websites. A resume and photo are required. Singers may be called for an in person audition as a call back to their electronic submission. Singers will be called upon to sing as section leaders in our amateur ensembles, soloists when needed and/or in a 6-8 voice all pro ensemble. Lawrence Speakman, artistic director and conductor, is interested in the ability of each singer to keep vibrato under control at all volume levels, particularly in high voices. Please keep this in mind as you prepare your recording.

Qualifications

• Singers should have a minimum of a BA or BM in Voice, Music Education or Performance from an institution with a strong choral program.
• Advanced degree in Voice or Conducting is a plus.
• Ideal candidates will be highly flexible, vocally, personally and musically and enthusiastic about performing a wide variety of music as the needs of the music dictate.
• A background or interest in historically informed Baroque performance practice is a plus
• Proficiency in Latin, German, Italian and French language diction is required.
• Have a passion for fine ensemble singing that is equal to the desire for solo work.
• Be available for three or more days of concentrated rehearsal and performance.

Audition requirements:

• Two songs or arias in contrasting styles that you feel show you at your best. At least one selection should be in German and one selection should demonstrate ability at singing fast melismatic passages.
• In addition to your two selections, you may as an option include the following excerpts from Handel’s Messiah:

“For Unto us a Child is Born” (PDF)
-Soprano: Measures 7-18
-Alto: Measures 56-61
-Tenor: Measures 38-41
-Bass: Measures 19-25

“All We Like Sheep” (PDF)
-Soprano: Measures 11-29
-Alto: Measures 13-23
-Tenor: Measures 23-43
-Bass: Measures 43-53

Please sing these as close to quarter note=110 as possible.

Compensation
Singers will be compensated at a rate of $24 per rehearsal and performance hour by contract with The Concert Singers of Cary.

Please send email: choralartists@concertsingers.org