Ensemble Singers Auditions

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 2, if selected to continue, will consist of a 30-40 minute callback with other section members to listen for balance and blend of prospective Ensemble Singers.

VocalEssence Chorus Auditions

The VocalEssence Chorus is an auditioned ensemble of approximately 80-100 volunteer singers.  Chorus members re-audition every 2 years as a way to check-in vocally with the conductors.

Auditions are 10-15 minutes in length and consist of three parts:
Component 1: one vocal solo (or excerpt) up to 2 minutes
Component 2: America the Beautiful
Component 3: vocal exercises

Audition Dates and Registration

Auditions for both the Chorus and Ensemble Singers will be held primarily in-person in April and May of 2023. Auditions will be held at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis on the following dates:

• Thursday, April 13: 4:00-7:00p — full
• Sunday, April 16: 1:30-5:00p
• Saturday, May 13: 10:00a-2:00p — full
• Tuesday, May 23: 5:00-9:30p — full

Please note: We are in the process of determining additional audition dates & times. Thank you for your patience while we increase our capacity to hear more singers! If you are unable to make it to one of the above dates please email audition@vocalessence.org to discuss potential options. Please note: if you are interested in the Ensemble Singers, Round 2 callbacks will be held on Thursday, May 25 between 5:30-9:00p at Plymouth Congregational Church. Further details will be sent to those selected for callbacks.

If you would like to audition, please register for an audition using 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.

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.