Auditions

Call the Singing City office, (215) 569-9067, or you may request an audition online by filling out an audition request form.

Audition Requirements: One solo work of your choice. The audition will also cover
sight-reading, tonal memory, and vocal range exercises. An accompanist will be provided.  

Please consider joining us if you:

• Live within weekly traveling distance of Philadelphia
  (50 miles or less)
• Can sight-read music
• Have prior choral experience (please describe to us)
• Are not seeking professional promotion.  We have received many requests to promote aspiring professional vocalists.  We wish you the best of luck in your endeavors, but we are a volunteer community and are only seeking volunteer singers for membership in our group.

Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings from 7:30 pm to 10:00 at First Baptist Church at 17th and Sansom Streets, Philadelphia.  There are occasional Saturday "All-Day" rehearsals, usually before a major performance. Regular attendance and promptness are vital. Participation in public school outreach activities and community concerts is encouraged.

Audition Parking
PATCO

Our 62nd season for 2010-2011 promises to be an exciting season for all of us! Please check our 63rd Season Concert Schedule for details!

Please contact the Singing City Office or fill out our Audition Request Form to arrange your audition today!

FAQs

What are the dues?
Dues for singing members are $100. Singing City’s dues are kept as low as possible to insure that no one is excluded from participating in the choir due to financial constraints. Payment plans are available to those in need of such assistance. Contact Victoria Baker, Choir Administrator, at victoria@singingcity.org for more information.

What constitutes concert attire?
Each singer is expected to purchase and maintain the appropriate choir garb. Women wear the official black dress ($95), black shoes, and 30” pearls. New women should contact the Choir Administrator to arrange for a dress. Payment plans are available for those in need of assistance. Contact the Choir Administrator at victoria@singingcity.org for details. Men wear a black tux, white tux shirt with wing tip collar, black bow tie, and black shoes. It is especially important that you have the appropriate garb and the music required for each performance.

What kind of parking is available for rehearsals?
Special parking arrangements for First Baptist Church are available with the following garages (please note that each garage has a different voucher):

Central Parking Garage – 1616 Sansom Street
• Available hours for reduced parking: weekdays 4 PM – midnight
• You must obtain a voucher at rehearsal to receive the reduced rate.

Interpark Parking Garage –1728 Sansom Street
• Available hours for reduced rate parking: weekdays 5 PM – midnight
• You must obtain a voucher at rehearsal to receive the reduced rate.

How many concerts are typically performed per season?
We have three major concerts and several outreach concerts every year. Choir members are expected to participate in all season concerts and to be available for contract and community concerts at care facilities, schools and retirement communities, unless otherwise notified because of space restrictions. Some of our concerts require the entire choir while others use a smaller group (partial choir) depending upon the nature of the concert or the size of the stage or expected audience.

Are singers required to purchase their own music?
Singing City provides singers with music for each concert.

Are singers required to memorize the pieces?
This is up to the discretion of the Music Director, but generally, memorization is not required.

What kind of folders are used?
Each singer must provide his or her own black folder for performances. Folders may be purchased through Singing City for a cost of $20.

What kind of repertoire is typically performed?
Our repertoire spans a variety of styles, centuries, cultures, and languages. Being committed to this diversity as well as to new musical ideas and new interpretations of familiar works is necessary. No matter how many times you have performed a work in the past, each new performance brings the opportunity for new insights, creativity, and spiritual expression.

Are there additional rehearsals besides the regular Tuesday rehearsals?
Yes. Throughout the season there are also several required Saturday rehearsals scheduled from 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM; these rehearsals usually occur prior to major performances.