Auditions
Upcoming Audition Dates
The 2025-26 MCTB roster has been set. Please visit again in April to learn about auditioning for the Master Chorale.
Rehearsals & Performances
Rehearsals are on Tuesdays (August 12th - May 30th) at the School of Music on the University of South Florida Tampa campus from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm. There are additional rehearsals during performance weeks. Singers are expected to attend all MCTB rehearsals. Singers are excused for unresolvable conflicts only at the discretion of the Artistic Staff and will be expected to review recorded missed rehearsals. All dress rehearsals and rehearsals with The Florida Orchestra are mandatory.
Audition Requirements
Individuals interested in becoming a member of The Master Chorale must successfully pass the audition process to participate in MCTB rehearsals and performances. An online audition is an option if scheduling an in-person audition is not possible. Please contact us for more information about virtual auditions.
Auditions take about 10 minutes to complete and consist of two main parts:
A prepared solo that you will perform with piano accompaniment
A musicianship portion where we will assess your sight-singing, rhythmic skills, and tonal memory
Prepared Solo
OPTION 1
Prepare the following excerpt using the resources below and your own skills as a choral singer.
Select the voice part that most suits your voice right now.
No memorization necessary.
We may also ask to vocalize you to get a better sense for your individual voice and help to place you in the right section.
A pianist will be provided free of charge.
From Handel Messiah “And He Shall Purify”
The marked score below shows which excerpt each voice part should learn
Sopranos - bracketed music between p. 37-38
Altos - bracketed music between p. 36-38
Tenors - bracketed music between p. 41-42
Basses - bracketed music between p. 37-38
Practice Tracks
OPTION 2
Bring a solo of your own choosing within the following parameters:
No more than 2-3 minutes long (a cut from a longer piece is fine)
It must have piano accompaniment
You may sing any kind of classical repertoire, musical theater, or something like a hymn
No pop or jazz, please
It does not need to be memorized
Sight Singing
You will be given a melody to sight read without piano accompaniment. We will give you your starting pitch and key.
You may also be asked to sing back a series of 4-5 notes to evaluate your pitch memory.
Why do I have to do this?
This is a chance to understand more about how you process music, as well as your training and experience as a singer. It shows us how you interpret musical notation, how you can recall pitches and rhythms, and your process for learning new music. It’s great if you can just sight-read whatever you see, but that’s not necessarily the point.
If the excerpt is too difficult, the staff will help to coach you through it like you might experience in a chorus rehearsal.
FAQs
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Voice & Tone
Clear tone
Notes are precise and in tune
Registers are balanced (bottom and top notes sound connected)
Voice adapts to suit the repertoire and styleGeneral Musicianship
Innate sense of rhythm
Accurate pitches in prepared solo
Good intonation
Observation of all dynamics, articulations, markings in the scoreSight Singing
Underlying rhythmic pulse
Ability to understand and make sense of notated music
Able to continue sight-reading in spite of mistakes
Skill at quickly fixing missed notes/rhythms in subsequent performancesDemeanor
Kind, authentic to yourself, and respectful to staff and volunteers
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Singers are expected to commit to the complete concert season.
Commitment to the ensemble
Excitement about performing great repertoire
High artistic standards and a willingness to practice outside rehearsal to maintain them
Growth mindset
Great work ethic
Kindness
Flexibility -
The “type” of voice you have (big/small, loud/soft, bright/dark) We want all different kinds of voices!
Sight-reading perfectly (You need to demonstrate some skill in reading music, but it doesn’t have to be perfect the first time)
What you wear to the audition
If you have a music degree or not
How long it’s been since you last sang in a choir
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All singers pay $250 yearly dues (newly reduced fee effective starting 2023-24 season) and are responsible for purchasing concert attire, a black concert folder, and their music.
Your finances should NEVER prevent you from singing with us! If you’re concerned about the cost to participate, we have ample scholarships available. Contact the office for more information.
Students who are registered for classes at the time of participation in Master Chorale qualify for a dues scholarship, but are still responsible for purchasing music, concert attire, and concert folder.
Why should I pay for this?
Aside from the fact that singing has many proven benefits for your mental, social, and physical health, each rehearsal costs about the same as a McDonald's Big Mac meal or a Grande Oat Milk Latte from Starbucks. Compare this experience to:
One Bucs ticket + parking for one person - $146
A 3 credit class for one semester at HCC - $312
One ticket to Busch Gardens - $99
These fees - in addition to grants, philanthropic support and ticket sales - supplement the costs of running the ensemble and producing extraordinary concerts each season.
Questions?
Contact us.
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813-355.9609
Hours: M-F 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
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info@masterchorale.com