Auditions - Princeton Pro Musica

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Would you like to join PPM?

Princeton Pro Musica comprises a 100-voice symphonic chorus of volunteer singers and professional section leaders; a fully-professional orchestra; and a 25-voice chamber chorus drawn from the symphonic chorus.

Our singers come from all walks of life, range in age from recent college graduates to retirees, and bring a rich variety of musical experiences and perspectives to the ensemble. We are happy to be an ensemble home for some singers who are, or who have been, music educators. Some singers have training as instrumentalists, and some study voice privately as a complement to their participation in PPM. Most, though, have careers in fields other than music and enjoy the opportunity to sing, as part of a group, at a high level.

Auditions for the 2022-2023 season have concluded. If you are interested in auditioning in the future, please take a moment to read about us below, and then fill out the form at the bottom of this page and we'll be in touch.

COVID-RELATED PROTOCOLS:

Prospective singers will be asked to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 at their audition (the physical card, a photo of the card, or an app such as Docket are all acceptable forms of proof).
Singers may be asked to wear a well-fitting face mask during their audition. Please bring one with you

Questions? Email info@princetonpromusica.org or call 609-683-5122.

Rehearsals and Performances

Rehearsals take place Tuesday evenings, 7:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m., mid-September through mid-May in Princeton.

In a typical season there are four performances (late October/early November, December, March, and May). We perform in venues throughout the greater Princeton area, including Richardson Auditorium and the Princeton University Chapel (on the campus of Princeton University) and Patriot’s Theater at the Trenton War Memorial.

What level of training is necessary?

What kind of voice are we looking for?

No two voices in Princeton Pro Musica are the same; its members’ voices are as varied and distinctive as the members themselves. Our ideal choral sound is one that balances a variety of colors rather than blends all voices into a single hue. The bulk of the music that Princeton Pro Musica sings comes from the symphonic choral-orchestral repertoire of the 17th through 21st centuries, and we seek voices with the range and flexibility to bring that music to life. We strive in rehearsal and performance for all voices––from the smallest to the most dramatic––to sing with clear pitch, colorful resonance, good rhythm, and palpable musicality.

COVID-19 vaccination requirement

Any PPM staff, singer, or volunteer wishing to participate in in-person PPM-sponsored activities must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The board has resolved to prioritize the health and safety of our singers, staff, and community above all else. This requirement is a direct result of that commitment. Continued Covid protocols such as masking and distancing will be enforced on a situational basis.

Rehearsal Attendance

Each member is expected to sing all scheduled performances in a season, and to attend all rehearsals in their entirety. Two missed rehearsals per concert period are permitted, after which participation is at the discretion of the Artistic Director. Attendance at the dress rehearsal for each concert is mandatory in order to sing the performance. Poor rehearsal or concert attendance may result in the termination of membership.

Dues

Payment of dues is a condition for participation in any activity of Princeton Pro Musica. Dues for new members joining at the start of the season and for all returning members regardless of return date are $300. At least one installment payment is due at or before the first rehearsal. Dues are not pro-rated for members who do not sing all concerts in a season.

Dues can be paid in full or via monthly installments over 10 months. We offer a discount for music educators, and a limited number of scholarships are available.

In accordance with IRS rules, dues are not tax-deductible. Your dues are a “participation fee” that helps defray the cost of rehearsal space, accompanist fees, and salaries—a small percentage of our general operating expenses.

Volunteering

Audition Components

Solo

Please prepare a short solo piece. Your selection can be chosen from any genre (art song, aria excerpt, musical theater or operetta, folk song, etc.) and be in any language. Ideally your selection will be a piece you’re comfortable with that will give the Artistic Director an opportunity to hear your vocal quality and get a sense for your musicality.
An accompanist will be provided. Please bring sheet music for the accompanist. You are encouraged to sing an accompanied piece, though it is not required.
Memorization is not expected or prioritized. If your selection is longer than three minutes, you will likely be asked to stop in the middle of the piece (having nothing to do with your performance and everything to do with the audition schedule!)

Vocalization

Depending on the range and nature of your solo, the Artistic Director may or may not lead you through a few vocalises/scales, from the piano. Repertoire Excerpt
You will be asked to sing (with accompaniment) your part on the first twenty-two measures of the “Hostias” from Mozart’s Requiem.
The Artistic Director will play a series of four pitches and ask you to sing them back, two or three times.

Sight Singing

You will be asked to sight sing a passage from a piece of choral music. The accompanist will play all four parts as you sing. The selection will be tonal and mostly diatonic.
Members of Princeton Pro Musica have a range of sight singing abilities. This activity is one component of a broader assessment.

New Singer Audition Form

"*" indicates required fields

First Name*

Last Name*

Pronouns

Street Address*

City*

State*

ZIP Code*

Email address

Telephone Number*

Preferred method of contact*

Voice type*

Briefly describe your experience as a choral singer*

How long have you been singing? What types of groups have you sung with (school/religious/community/other)?

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your comfort level as a sight-reader?

1 = Not confident/no experience, 10 = Highly proficient/professional-level experience

Please share any other musical training/experience you'd like us to know about

How did you hear about Princeton Pro Musica?*

Would you like to join PPM?

New Singer Audition Form

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