Auditions

"Music feeds my soul. For 30 years, Pacific Chorale has been an essential part of my life. To sing and make music with this outstanding group has been the experience of a lifetime."
—Steve M., singer

Join Us!

Pacific Chorale is one of America's great choirs. We invite you to consider joining our family. The Chorale is a diverse, dedicated and enthusiastic group of singers, who create an acclaimed ensemble that graces world-class stages with some of our nation's leading orchestras. Our repertoire is extensive and ranges from choral/orchestral masterworks to a cappella treasures and world premiere compositions.

We have many exciting performance opportunities for our singers, including collaborations with Pacific Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. We have collaborated with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, Musica Angelica and the Kronos Quartet, among others. Our singers have performed under the direction of many acclaimed conductors including Carl St.Clair, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Leonard Slatkin, John Williams, John Mauceri, Marin Alsop, JoAnn Falletta, Sir Andrew Davis, Nicholas McGegan and Keith Lockhart, as well as our own maestro, John Alexander.

We regularly perform new American choral works by some of the world's most influential contemporary composers, including John Adams, Philip Glass, William Bolcom, Jake Heggie, Eric Whitacre, Morten Lauridsen, James F. Hopkins, Elliot Goldenthal, Richard Danielpour and Stephen Paulus. In addition to our regular season performances in the Orange County Performing Artscenter's new Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, we frequently perform on the stages of Disney Hall and the historic Hollywood Bowl.

Qualifications

Although it is important for members of Pacific Chorale to possess a high level of musical and vocal abilities, a conscientious and diligent work ethic is also valued. Experience in ensemble singing is essential.

The Audition Process

An audition for Pacific Chorale is an opportunity for our audition team to hear your voice, to explore your skill with sight-reading, and to get to know a little bit about you. The process takes about 10 minutes.

The elements of the audition include:

1. Singing
You will perform one piece of your choice, not longer than three minutes in length. We suggest you choose a classical art song or aria. Memorization of your selection is not required. An accompanist will be provided (please bring a second copy of your music for the accompanist).

2. Sight-reading
You will be asked to read musical passages at sight. Our audition team will evaluate your ability to read musical intervals and rhythmic patterns.

Click here for a sight reading example.

3. Vocal Flexibility
You will be asked to perform a short selection from the standard choral repertoire to evaluate your vocal flexibility. Please review the appropriate selection from the score samples here before your audition.

4. Pronunciation
You will be asked to recite passages encompassing a variety of foreign languages at sight, including English, German, French, Latin and Italian.

We will contact you approximately two weeks after your audition to notify you of the results.

Auditioning for a paid staff position

Pacific Chorale pays professional singers to perform as the core of the Pacific Chorale ensemble. Additionally, the Chorale produces the John Alexander Singers, an independently contracted vocal ensemble of 24 singers. While most of these singers also serve as part of the paid core to Pacific Chorale's 140-voice ensemble, their work with the John Alexander Singers focuses on specialized repertoire appropriate for a professional chamber choir. Singers interested in either ensemble must demonstrate superior vocal and musical skills.

To be notified of upcoming audition dates, please send an email to Pacific Chorale's personnel manager, Andrea Klyver. Include information about your previous choral experience and your preferred contact information. If you would like further information about our audition process, please call our office: (714) 662-2345.

Level of Commitment

Pacific Chorale's 2009-2010 concert schedule includes 8 self-produced season performances and more than 5 guest appearances of ensembles varying in size. Rosters for these performances are developed according to your audition results, the musical requirements of the repertoire and singer availability.

Singers are expected to commit to all rehearsals and performances of each repertoire in which they participate.

Rehearsal Schedule

Rehearsals generally take place every Monday evening with occasional Saturdays from September through May. During the week or two prior to a concert, there may be several mandatory rehearsals. These rehearsals fall on weekdays, usually in the evenings.

Please browse through our website to learn more about Pacific Chorale.