Singers
How to Join Us
The Chamber Choir, Symphonic Choir, and Treble Choir are our performance choirs whose primary goal is the preparation of repertoire for a quality concert performance. The Columbia Chorale is our first social choir whose primary goal is the joy of singing and building camaraderie with other singers in a more relaxed rehearsal environment. Singers are also invited to create their own ad-hoc social choirs/small groups as interested.
Chamber Choir: voice placement hearing, project schedule typically 6-8 weeks, advanced repertoire, high level of personal preparation and musical independence, typically includes a cappella selections and those in languages other than English
Symphonic and Treble Choirs: voice placement hearing, project schedule typically 8-12 weeks, moderate repertoire, some level of personal preparation and musical independence, typically includes selections accompanied by symphony/chamber orchestras and occasionally in languages other than English, Treble Choir is for upper voices (sopranos and altos)
Columbia Chorale: no voice placement hearing (just come and sing!), project schedule typically 12+ weeks, accessible repertoire, little to no level of personal preparation, typically includes selections accompanied by piano
Vocal Placement Hearing
New singers interested in participating in a performance choir will be invited to schedule a vocal placement hearing with the Artistic Director, or with their own voice instructor, to determine which voice part(s) are best for them in a choral setting. Sight reading exercises and prepared selections are optional for those who wish to demonstrate advanced vocal abilities. Any new singers who only wish to participate in our social choirs (currently just the Columbia Chorale) do not need to undergo a voice placement hearing and are automatically added to the roster.
Please contact Artistic Director Justin Raffa at jraffa@mcmastersingers.org with any questions and to request to be added to the singer roster. Please indicate:
1. I want to join the social choir!
2. I want to do a voice placement hearing for the performance choirs!
3. I want to do an advanced audition for the performance choirs and potential solo opportunities!
