DATES
NOTICE: AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD MAY 12 - 13 FOR ALL VOICE PARTS. 

Auditions are scheduled by invitation only. To request an audition, please follow the procedures outlined below.

(Please visit this website periodically for updated information on future auditions)

APPLICATION & AUDITION

(updated April 2025)
Experienced singers over the age of 18 who can read music are invited to audition (high school graduates not yet age 18 may be considered on a case-by-case basis). All members of the Chorus are volunteers.

Singers who are selected for the Chorus are expected to participate in all rehearsals and performances of the season, so please thoroughly review the season’s calendar before applying, noting weekly rehearsals, all performances, and all dress rehearsals. If you know that you have major conflicts with the schedule (ie. an entire concert run or any dress rehearsals) you should not apply to audition for the Chorus this season.

  • Weekly rehearsals are held throughout the season on Monday evenings, 7:00-9:30 PM at the AZ Opera building (1636 N Central Ave, Phoenix). 
  • All performances are held at Phoenix Symphony Hall (75 N 2nd St, Phoenix), unless listed otherwise. 
  • The week of performances typically will include mandatory rehearsals with the performance conductor on Monday (at AZ Opera) and, usually, the two evenings prior to the first performance (at Symphony Hall).

HOW TO REQUEST AN AUDITION
Indicate your desire to audition for the Chorus by completing the following no less than four days before in-person auditions are to be held. In brief, the process includes writing an email, sending a simple recording, and filling out a form, as follows:

1. Complete the Prospective Member Information Form no more than 48 hours before sending your email and your audio/video submission (steps #2 and #3).

2. Email a brief note of introduction to [email protected], highlighting your singing, training, and other relevant musical experience. You may attach a resume, but that is not required.

3. Attach to the same email a brief audio or video sample, or include a link to a YouTube video of yourself singing alone. You may submit a recording in any digital format, no longer than 4 minutes in length, recorded using a video camera, your computer camera, or even your phone's camera. It does not need to have high production value, but it does need to be of sufficient quality to reasonably represent your classical solo voice. Make sure your voice can be heard clearly on the recording.

  • Repertoire: For this recording, perform an art song, aria from an oratorio, cantata or opera, or a challenging excerpt of your choral part from a choral-orchestral masterwork, in any language, with or without the accompaniment. Hymns, folk songs, pop, show tunes, etc. are not acceptable.
  • Style: Sing in manner that represents your best art song, operatic, or concert choir voice. You should not perform in a pop, jazz, contemporary, or Broadway belt style voice.
  • Range: Perform in the vocal range for which you wish to be considered in the Chorus. (e.g. a very high selection for Soprano 1 or Tenor 1, very low for Bass 2, etc.). Please note that the Chorus Master may choose to offer you a place in a different section if he feels this is where you can make the most positive contribution to the Chorus at this time.
  • Vocalize: After performing your solo, demonstrate the full range of your voice by singing a simple, repeated vocal pattern up and down through your entire range. We recommend you sing a repeated pattern on one vowel (such as an “ah” on the pattern Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-Fa-Mi-Re-Do, or similar pattern). Begin by singing this pattern in the middle of your range, and then repeat the pattern again and again as you go up to your highest note and then down to your lowest usable vocal range. If it is more convenient for you, this may be done on a separate audio or video submission.

THE AUDITION
The Chorus Master and Audition Committee will review all audio/video submissions and will extend invitations for in-person auditions to qualified singers.

1. During a 10-15 minute in-person audition at the AZ Opera building, singers will be asked to: 
  • Perform a prepared solo and demonstrate their range and quality in simple vocalizing exercises.
    • Perform an art song, aria from an oratorio, cantata or opera, or a challenging excerpt of your choral part from a choral-orchestral masterwork, in any language. It may be the same music you sang in your audio/video submission. Hymns, folk songs, pop, show tunes, etc. are not acceptable.
    • Your music does not need to be memorized, but you are encouraged to perform 'off-book' if that is more comfortable for you.
    • A professional pianist is provided during the audition to play the piano part of any vocal solo.
    • Bring two extra copies of your music: 1 copy for the pianist and 1 copy for the Chorus Master.
  • Do one or more of the following:
    • Sight sing alone or sing with other voices on a choral passage 
    • Vocalize to demonstrate your range 
    • Tonal memory exercises (a brief melody is played and you sing it back)  
    • Demonstrate your ability to vary the intensity of your vibrato, since this is almost always required at some point in our concert season.

2. Candidates will be notified within a few days whether they are invited to join the Chorus.
  • All new members are on probation throughout their first season. During this time, their vocal contribution, attitude, timeliness and attendance, musical preparation, cooperation with and support of their fellow singers, and commitment to the Chorus will be observed and evaluated for ongoing membership as well as for continued membership beyond the first year.
  • Even after the first year, members are required to maintain these high standards to continue with The Phoenix Symphony Chorus.
COVID-19 & Safety Protocol
The Phoenix Symphony currently does not require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or masks for its musicians, including the Chorus. The Phoenix Symphony Chorus will continue to follow instructions from the Symphony in the future.