2011 AUDITION SCHEDULE!

The Millersville University Choral Program is filled with rich history and tradition. Thousands of singers have participated in Millersville University Choirs and the standards of the program and ensembles reflect the high standards of the Millersville University community and the Music Department.

Each year the Choirs at Millersville University perform a wide variety of challenging, stimulating and exciting repertoire. The Choirs sing both on and off campus in concerts, tours, and University promotional events. They are featured in the Annual Holiday Concert that began in 1932, one of the Music Department's, and University's, most prestigious and well-attended events.

Membership in the choral program is open to any member of the university community and in some cases to those in the greater Millersville area.

Our ensembles consist of:

University Choir - our large, mixed ensemble

The Keystone Singers - our small, select chamber choir

Cantilena - our women's ensemble

The Marauder Men's Glee Club - our men's ensemble

8 to the Bar - our student led vocal jazz ensemble

Auditioning for the Choral program:
Auditions for University Choir, the Marauder Men's Glee Club, Cantilena, and 8 to the Bar take place the first week of the semester for all students. Upper classmen may also audition for the Keystone Singers. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A MUSIC MAJOR TO TAKE PART IN CHORAL ACTIVITIES. There is nothing to prepare for the audition. Auditions are very casual and only meant to gather information to aid in choir placement. Placement in one of our choral ensembles is always affected by the needs of the choral area; every effort is made to find a place for all Marauders wanting to sing. Auditions take about 15 minutes including filling out a short form.

You will be asked to:

1. Fill out a form just before you audition - you may also print and fill it out before you arrive. It's located here and here.
   
2. Sing warm up patterns to assess your vocal range
3. Complete a pitch matching exercise - this assesses your musical "ear"
4. Sight read - don't be scared! If you can't read music, that is why we are here. Do your best - we will help you through it.
5. Sing "Happy Birthday" or "My Country 'tis of Thee"

Students may audition for The Keystone Singers at the end of their second semester of participation in one of the other three ensembles. These auditions are normally by invitation and take place some time in April. Auditions consist of sight-reading, vocalizing, and singing examples from previous repertoire. Qualified singers will be invited to call-backs, where singers will learn the same selection. Singers will be notified shortly before school ends for the following year.

Director of Choral Activities: Dr. Mark A. Boyle