Adult Choir Auditions

Information on the status of Ensemble Singer and Chorus auditions can be found below. On occasion, a spot may open up in one or both choirs during the season, and we will post information about available openings here, as well as by contacting anyone on our waitlist in that section. We encourage anyone interested in singing with us to fill out the interest form at the button below at any point throughout the year.

The VocalEssence Chorus

90-120 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 on an as-needed basis at the discretion of the director and new members are accepted annually.

Due to extraordinary interest and high returning member numbers, auditions are open only for the following sections this spring: Soprano 1, Tenor, Baritones, and Basses. We do not anticipate being able to hear and roster new Chorus Soprano 2s and Altos.

The first round of auditions for the Chorus will be submitted by video and consist of six short parts. Full audition instructions and part excerpts can be found here.

Component 1: Vocal Solo
Component 2: America the Beautiful
Components 3-5: Vocal Exercises
Component 6: mm. 1-23 of Dixit Dominus from Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore (parts found at the link above)

If you would like to audition for the VocalEssence Chorus, please download the materials at the link above and then submit an audition form below. Upon registering you should receive a link to submit your video audition. The deadline for submitting your audition is 11:00p on May 15, 2025. Singers will receive decision about their audition status by the end of May and final round auditions in person will take place in early summer.

The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers

Eight paid positions per section; professional experience required. Ensemble Singers typically re-audition annually, however, due to extenuating circumstances of our upcoming tour to England, we will not be holding auditions for the Ensemble Singers this year. We will return to our annual audition cycle in the spring of 2026. If a specific spot in the choir opens up before next spring, we will post information about the vacancy here and contact the singers on our waitlist who have expressed interest in the Ensemble Singers and match the voice part.

What to Expect if You’re Accepted

Rehearsals
Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings from September through May, plus special rehearsals and dress rehearsals as needed for each concert; most in-person rehearsals take place at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis. VocalEssence singers are expected to commit to the full VocalEssence concert season.

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.