Would you like to sing with a dynamic and friendly vocal group? We invite you to join us for the 2010-2011 Concert Year. All voice parts and skill levels are welcome, and auditions are private. Still have questions? Read our FAQ.
Dates and places for upcoming auditions:
Saturday, July 31, 10am-1pm, Page-Walker
Monday, August 2, 6:30pm-9:30pm, Herb Young-Room A
Auditions are by appointment only. For adult auditions, please call our auditions coordinator Carleen Dubin (919) 461-3668 or write for an appointment and location information.
Singers seeking an audition are asked to bring two copies of any musical selection, including, but not limited to arias, hymns, show tunes, pop music, carols and gospel music. Accompaniment is provided. All voice parts are welcome.
If no auditions are currently scheduled and you would like to be notified about future auditions, please send your contact information to and you will be notified promptly about the next available audition date.
Concert Singers of Cary offers several categories of membership for singers at all levels of skill and experience; adults and children:
- General Membership or “Symphonic Choir”
- Chamber Ensemble List
- The Professional Singers List
- Cary Youth Chorale (Children, Grades 6 – 9)
- Cary Children’s Concert Choir (Children, Grades 3 – 6)
Audition application:
Print a copy of the audition application form in Adobe Acrobat format. This is the form used during the audition process. You may print and fill this out prior to your audition to save time.
General Membership / Symphonic Choir
The Symphonic Choir is our basic level of membership. This is our large chorus, which has been a staple of our concert series, as well as collaborations with the Raleigh and North Carolina Symphonies and other organizations. All members of Concert Singers are considered part of the Symphonic Choir, regardless of what level they auditioned for. The membership requirements are as follows:
- A minimum age of 16 at the time of the first concert.
- Choral experience from school, church or community choruses.
- Preparation of a solo audition of a favorite song, aria or hymn.
- A willingness to learn new musical and linguistic material.
- A willingness to embrace high standards and professional behavior.
- A willingness to work toward the required challenges of our performances.
Chamber Ensemble List
The purpose of the Chamber Ensemble List is to provide the Artistic Director with a list of Symphonic Choir members who have greater choral experience, musical experience and vocal training, and are willing to demonstrate those skills in a more involved audition process. These individuals may be called upon as soloists or ensemble members for Chamber Choirs or special projects, or for segments of a Symphonic Choir program that require soloists or fewer singers. This roster is not a select chorus or limited to a certain amount of people. It is designed to help the Artistic Director better utilize the chorus membership as performance opportunities arise. Additional requirements above the basic membership level are:
- A major aria or song from memory.
- Demonstrating an understanding of some foreign language pronunciation.
- A sight-reading audition.
- An ability to learn music on one’s own or with minimal rehearsal time.
Professional Singers List
This category includes singers auditioned by and designated as such by the Artistic Director. Professional singers will be used for solo works that require university level training in voice, the ability to sing over large instrumental ensembles, the ability to display a high level of musicianship by learning and refining music on their own time as well as interpret performance practice, foreign language and style. As we do with instrumentalists, they will be paid according to the competitive rates established at the time of contract. These singers may or may not be part of the Concert Singers Symphonic Choir roster. In the case of singers who are members of Concert Singers of Cary, the Artistic Director will designate which solo opportunities have professional requirements, and in these cases, Concert Singers members who might be selected will be paid as we would an outside professional. In addition to the requirements of the previous two categories, auditions for professional singers will require:
- Five major arias or art songs in at least two languages from memory. The singer will select one and the Artistic Director will select one from the remaining four on the list.
- A professional photograph, resume and biographical information.
Cary Children’s Concert Choir
Concert Singers also has a children’s choir. If your child is interested in participating, please call Roberta Thomason at (919) 319-6534 for an appointment, or email . Membership in the children’s choir is open by audition to all students in the Triangle area in grades 3 through 6 during the 2009-10 school year. No prior singing experience is necessary.
Back to TopCary Youth Chorale
For middle school children, Concert Singers’ Cary Youth Chorale offers the perfect vocal arts opportunity. This new group was formed for children in grades 6 through 9, and with C4, above, is also under the direction of Roberta Thomason. Please call Roberta with any inquiries at (919) 319-6534 or email to set up an audition appointment. Membership in the children’s choir is open by audition to all students in the Triangle area in grades 6 through 9 during the 2009-10 school year. No prior singing experience is necessary.
Back to TopFrequently Asked Questions
Q. Why does Concert Singers of Cary require auditions?
A. CSC is dedicated to excellence in performance. Such standards demand that our members exhibit at least a basic capability for ensemble singing and pitch formation.
Q. What are you looking for in an audition?
A. Mostly your vocal qualities (timbre, shading, range, etc.) and how well you can perform in an ensemble. Skill and expertise are a plus, but are often not requirements.
Q. Do you have such high standards that I might not “make it”?
A. Most people who audition can sing comfortably within an ensemble.
Q. What can I do for “extra credit?”
A. We encourage every candidate to demonstrate additional skills, motivation, and work ethic. This can include singing from memory, singing in a foreign language, using facial expressions, singing complex works, sight reading, and so forth. However, it is best not to “over reach” with things that you are not comfortable with.
Q. Am I expected to sing from memory?
A. Only if you are auditioning for the chamber ensemble list roster and professional list. However, singing from memory is encouraged as a demonstration of work ethic as a musician.
Q. What if I am nervous and “mess up”?
A. Everyone is nervous at their audition, and we expect candidates to have “the butterflies”. Remember that we are mainly using the audition as an opportunity to learn about you and your voice.
Q. What if I can’t read music?
A. Many times, audition candidates can read music at only a basic level. Your job as a member of the chorus will be much easier if you can read music for notes, rhythms and dynamics, but it will not be a hard-and-fast requirement at your audition.
Q. What do I need to bring to my audition?
A. Please bring two copies of the piece of music you wish to sing (one is for our accompanist).
Q. May I use my own accompanist?
A. Yes, but it is not necessary to do this, as our accompanist is available to you.
Q. May I accompany myself?
A. No. We prefer that you focus on singing during your audition.
Q. May I accompany myself using a recording?
A. We prefer to work from a live audition performance, but if you do not have a sheet music score for your selection, a recording may be used.
Q. Must I sing by myself? Can I sing a duet for my audition?
A. We prefer to hear your voice alone to best gauge your timbre, range, and other vocal qualities.
Q. Can someone sit in with me during my audition?
A. We prefer to limit audition “guests”. But if it will make you more comfortable, having some one else in the room will be okay, as long as he or she sits quietly to the side.
Q. Will I be asked to do any sight reading?
A. All candidates for the chamber ensemble and professional lists will be required to do sight reading exercises at their audition. This is not a requirement for the symphonic choir audition, although you may request a sight reading exercise there if time permits.
Q. What kind of music may I sing at my audition?
A. You may “name that tune”. Past audition candidates have used arias, pop songs, hymns, carols, lullabies, and other selections. We urge you to select a work that you think best showcases your voice. We strongly urge you not to select a piece that is really too difficult for you just to impress the director.
Q. How long is an audition?
A. A symphonic choir candidate can expect an audition to last at least five minutes. Those auditioning for the chamber ensemble or professional lists can expect an audition to last fifteen or more minutes.
Q. Who will hear me audition?
A. Most auditions are heard by the Artistic Director, the accompanist, and our Membership Coordinator or someone he or she designates.
Q. Will my audition be taped?
A. The auditioner may record your audition as a reference tool when writing notes about your skills and experience. This is not a typical practice, however.
Q. Are there only so many places that you can fill, especially among sopranos?
A. No, we try to accept as many qualified people as we can.
Q. When will I know if I am accepted or not?
A. In some cases audition candidates will be notified at their audition whether they have been accepted into Concert Singers of Cary. We reserve the right to notify you by mail after the final audition date.
Q. If I audition for the chamber ensemble or professional lists but am not accepted, may I sing with Concert Singers of Cary at the symphonic choir level?
A. You may be accepted at the symphonic choir level. The Artistic Director will notify you of options in your letter.
Q. When and where are rehearsals?
A. Rehearsals are held Monday nights from 7:30 to 9:30 pm, beginning the first Monday after Labor Day (or, usually, the first Monday after New Year’s Day) at Herbert C. Young Community Center.
Q. Is there an application fee?
A. No. However, successful candidates are asked to pay a $60 annual membership fee as part of the concert registration process. This does not need to be done at the time of the audition. Singers are also required to purchase their own music, folder, and concert attire.
Q. Is there an application form? what will you ask me?
A. We have an application form and ask for basic background information, including your choral history, instrumental skills, education, and so forth. This helps our director get a better picture of you, and will not be shared with other organizations or businesses. Print a copy of the audition application form
Q. If accepted, will I have to audition every year?
A. No. If you sing any concert during the year, you will probably not be required to audition next year. However, you may request an audition appointment next year if you wish to demonstrate musical growth. Some singers may be asked by the director to audition again even if they sing at concerts during the year.