Eight paid positions per section; professional experience required. Ensemble Singers re-audition annually. Auditioning for the Ensemble Singers consists of two rounds:

Round 1 auditions are 15 minutes in length and consist of three parts:
Component 1: two vocal solos of your choice, approximately 2 minutes each, with at least one selection sung in English
Component 2: sight reading exercise
Components 3: vocal range check

Round 1 auditions for the Ensemble Singers will be held on April 25, May 4, May 9, and May 16. More dates and times may be added if we fill all available time slots.

Round 2, if selected to continue, will consist of a 35-45 minute callback on Thursday, May 23 between 6:00-9:30p with other section members to listen for balance and blend of prospective Ensemble Singers. If you are interested in membership in the Ensemble Singers, please hold the date for callbacks until you have been notified of a decision to invite you to this second round. All invited singers must attend these callbacks for primary consideration in the Ensemble Singers. Required excerpts to be prepared for callbacks will be available on this page later this season.

Click the button below to register for Ensemble Singers (& Chorus) Auditions

90-110 mixed voice choir of volunteer singers. Some musical experience is beneficial to membership but there are not specific requirements for eligibility. Returning Chorus members re-audition every 2-3 years and new members are accepted annually.

Auditions are 10 minutes in length and consist of three parts:
Component 1: one vocal solo (or excerpt) up to 2 minutes
Component 2: Sight-singing exercise
Component 3: vocal exercises

If you would only like to be considered for the Chorus, auditions will be held on April 25, May 4, May 9, and May 16. To register for a 10-minute, Chorus-only audition, please click the button below.

• The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers have a rigorous schedule and typically rehearse 6:30-9:30 pm on Tuesday evenings, plus other special rehearsals as needed. The singers perform at most season and community concerts as well as local, national, and international tours, recordings, radio broadcasts, daytime performances and for other special occasions.
• The VocalEssence Chorus rehearsals run from 7-9:30 pm on Tuesday evenings, plus dress rehearsals for each concert. Chorus members sing on most season and community concerts, and occasionally may travel for occasional performances in greater Minnesota and beyond.

Concert Attire and Music
The standard VocalEssence concert attire is a formal all-black outfit. Singers have the choice of wearing specific clothing to fit that description that reflects their identity and how they choose to present themselves while contributing to the blend of our visual presentation. Should you be accepted into the VocalEssence Chorus or Ensemble Singers, you are required to purchase concert attire at your own expense. Financial assistance may be available, but is not able to be guaranteed at this time.

VocalEssence provides all music and a black choir folder for use while you are a member of one of our ensembles. We ask all singers to return these items upon the completion of concerts or their time in the ensemble.

Additional questions? Please contact audition@vocalessence.org.