Audition Info

If you are interested in joining, please take note of the following:

Requirements


Rehearsals and Ongoing Commitment
Rehearsals are every Monday evening from 7:30pm to 10:15pm. The week prior to performance, there may be 3-4 rehearsals at the venue of performance (usually Esplanade Concert Hall). Subject to the concert schedule, there is likely a summer break of 4-6 weeks as well as a break around Christmas.

Members are expected to attend most if not all rehearsals and to be punctual.

Rehearsal time is limited and very often we have to cover a lot of material in a short time. Thus, the rehearsals are devoted to interpretation and building ensemble, and not to learning notes. Members are expected to learn the music independently.

Members are encouraged to have regular voice training and if possible to engage a professional coach.

Re-auditions may occur from time to time.

Joining Fee

Upon joining, members are required to make a $50 non-refundable joining fee. For students unable to meet this initial deposit, other arrangements may be made upon application.

Audition

You must be able to read music and have a good sense of pitch and rhythm.

Please prepare a song that shows the nature and qualities of your voice and singing skills. This should be a vocal part from a piece of choral or solo classical work (eg. mass, aria, art song). Hence this excludes church hymns, carols, showtunes, jazz songs and popular music. The piece does not have to be memorized. Bring sheet music in the key you are performing for the conductor’s reference. You do not need to bring an accompanist.

Info for Newcomers

Those auditioning for the SSC are expected to know what classical music is. A surprising number of applicants ask us what it is! If you are unfamiliar with classical music, please look at the next tab and explore these websites for further info:

You should also be able to read music. If you are interested in auditioning and have no musical background, please look at the info contained in the other tabs of this section.

What should I sing?
At the audition, you will need to sing a piece of classical music. This can be an art song, aria or a choral piece, but should NOT be a hymn. Need more ideas? See what the chorus members have to say

Should I Get a Coach?
It is not uncommon for individuals wishing to audition to consult a voice coach to help them choose and prepare for the audition and for ongoing development of their singing ability. This is absolutely NOT compulsory. However, we mention this as many people, particularly those with limited musical background, have found this useful. See what the chorus members have to say

Further resources may be found at these websites:

Any More Advice on Auditioning?
See what the chorus members have to say

Classical Music

What is Classical Music?
Classical music is a broad, somewhat imprecise term, referring to music produced in, or rooted in the traditions of, European art ecclesiastical and concert music, encompassing a broad period from roughly 1000 to the present day. – Wikipedia

In simple terms, when people talk of "classical music" they usually mean "art music" i.e. music that today is usually performed by a symphony or a smaller grouping of symphonic instruments (eg. a quartet composed of violins, viola and cello) as well as choral music of similar style. The term "classical music" tends to refer to European classical music and its derivative styles and is rarely used to refer to traditional musical styles of other regions. The music is not restricted to the big-C classical music era (1730 – 1820) but includes art music composed up to modern times.

Listen to it!
The best way to understand what classical music is, is to listen to it. Here are a few samples of various forms of classical music from around the net:

More music can be found at:

Music Theory and Practice

Basic Music Theory
You should have the ability to read music. These links provide good, simple tutorials.

More Advanced Music Theory

Eartraining & Interactive Theory
Learn to recognise different intervals both when you see them in the score and when you hear them. Being able to recognise intervals and then reproduce them is the basic building block to sight singing.

Sight Singing Resources
Sight Singing is the ability to sing a piece of music, just by reading the music score having never heard it performed before and without the assistance of a musical instrument. This is a skill which is extremely useful to a choral singer.

Contact Info

If you would like further information or to submit your name for audition, please contact the Outreach Coordinator here.