Audition FAQS

Q: Do I have to be a music major to sing in an ASU choral ensemble?
A: No. All ensembles – Men's Chorus, Women's Chorus, Symphonic Chorale, Choral Union, Early Music Ensemble, and the Vocal Jazz Choir – are open to all qualified students and some are open to members of the community. See the Ensembles section of this site for detailed information about the ensembles available at ASU.

Q: Do I have to be student to audition?
A: No. All members of all ensembles must register for the ensemble or pay community dues in some cases. (For example, non-registered members of Choral Union pay dues of $35 per semester.) You can register as a non-degree student, if you wish. Each ensemble carries one academic credit.

Q: If I am not an ASU student or a dues paying member, where and how do I apply for non-degree student status?
A: You must apply through ASU. Undergraduate and graduate students apply differently. See below links for application requirements and procedures.
Undergraduate Non-Degree Students
Graduate Non-Degree Students

Q: If I am interested in becoming a music major, how do I apply?
A: You must apply through ASU. Undergraduate and graduate students apply differently.
Undergraduate Students
Graduate Students

Q: When do auditions take place?
A: Fall auditions begin a few days before the start of classes and continue into the first week of school. Prospective members sing for a panel of conductors, who then decide placements. In the spring, contact the conductor of the group that interests you to arrange an audition.

Q: Where do I sign up for auditions?
A: For fall auditions ONLY, sign-up sheets are posted outside the Choral Office, Music Building W-139, the Monday before classes begin. Spring auditions are arranged individually with the conductor of the group that interests you.

Q: Who must audition?
A: Everyone must audition to be eligible for membership in the Arizona State University choirs.

Q: How do I decide which group to audition for?
A: Read the descriptions and rehearsal information under the Ensembles section of this Web site. Make sure the group you are interested fits your schedule.

• The faculty hears all the fall auditions and makes appropriate assignments after the auditions, so you don’t necessarily need to list a preference. We do our best to place you according to your ability, experience, educational needs and interest. If the conductor thinks another assignment would serve you better, he or she will refer to the conductor of that group for another audition.
• Music majors generally audition for the Symphonic Chorale and students of other majors will generally audition for Men’s Chorus, Women’s Chorus, and Choral Union. The Choral Union is a good option if you enjoy singing in with instrumental accompaniments (i.e., an orchestra). Students may also consider participating in the Chamber Music groups (Early Music and Vocal Jazz Choirs).

Q: What do I need to prepare for the audition?
A: For the men’s and women’s chorus, nothing. You’ll be asked to vocalize and to match pitch. You will be asked to sing a familiar melody like My Country ’Tis of Thee or America, the Beautiful (the music and words are available at the audition site).

For Choral Union, you be asked to sing a solo. An accompanist is provided. Classical songs are preferred. If you don’t have anything prepared, you can sing My Country ’Tis of Thee or America, the Beautiful (the music and words are available at the audition site).

For students on auditioning for Symphonic Chorale, you need to prepare a three-minute solo (art song, oratorio, or opera literature). An accompanist is provided. You will also be asked to sight-sing.

Q: What information do I need to bring with me to the audition?
A: Please have your local address and telephone number handy. We also need an active e-mail address for students, preferably your ASU e-mail address. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled time, so you can complete the audition form and have your photo taken.

Q: When will the results be posted?
A: Initial results for fall auditions will be posted on the first Wednesday of classes.

Q: When do the groups begin rehearsing?
A: The Symphonic Chorale, Men’s Chorus, and Women’s Chorus hold their first rehearsals for the fall after auditions end.  Vocal Jazz and Early Music will begin the second week of the semester.  See the choral board for exact information.  Spring rehearsals begin on the first day of classes.

Q: Why can’t I find my ensemble in the ASU schedule of classes?
A:

• To register for Men’s Chorus, choose MUP 355 for undergraduates or MUP 555 for graduates. 
• To register for Symphonic Chorale, choose MUP 353 for undergraduates or MUP 553 for graduates.
• To register for Women’s Chorus, choose MUP 357 for undergraduates or MUP 557 for graduates. 
• To register for the Choral Union, choose MUP 350 for undergraduates or MUP 550 for graduates.
• To register for either Vocal Jazz or Early Music, choose MUP 379 for undergraduates or MUP 579 for graduates.

 
Q: What if I have (or have not) enrolled in choir already?
A: Even if you have enrolled in a choir, you must audition for that choir, and there is no guarantee that you will be placed in that particular ensemble. The drop-and-add period extends for approximately two weeks in the School of Music to allow for ensemble adjustments. You should know your ensemble assignment in plenty of time to complete the online drop-and-add before the deadline, but if not, you can do it for another week using a paper form (instead of online).

Q:  What if only one choir fits my schedule?
A: Placement in choir is primarily based on skill level and your ability to contribute to the group. Consider registering for alternative courses that you will drop if they conflict with your eventual choir placement. If you are a major in some other area than music and you cannot arrange your schedule to accept your choir placement, you may wait until the spring semester to join the choir, with approval of the conductor. Music majors are expected to sing in the choir as assigned by the Director of Choral Performance.

Q:  How do I set my lesson and work schedule?
A:  Consider waiting to establish a final lesson and work schedule until all auditions are complete (Remember also to take into consideration the schedule of concerts and any extra scheduled rehearsals).

Q: I’m a choral scholarship student. What if I have a class that conflicts with the ensemble in which I’ve been placed? What about work?
A: You should not make any plans that interfere with the rehearsals of any of the groups until you know where you’ve been placed. You may need to adjust your class or work schedule accordingly. We accommodate student teachers by placing them in the Choral Union for the semester during which they are student teaching.