Auditions are easy-going and nothing to stress about. You'll sing a few simple warm-up exercises or scales for the director and accompanist. It's a closed audition - no audience to be nervous about. Also, if you have anything else you'd like to sing for the director, feel free to prepare that also, but it's definitely not necessary. In most cases, auditions are just for part placement purposes and won't prevent you from participating in Arts Chorale.
AC has become a home on campus for many students. Some of our members are looking to continue and develop the singing education they started in high school, some are singing for the first time, and some are full-time music students looking for a more casual choir to unwind with. The best way to see if AC feels right for you is to come to our Winter Mass Meeting (Thursday, January 14th, 4-6 PM in MLB Aud 4) where you can meet the executive board, learn about our concerts and music, and ask any questions you might have.
The last day to join Arts Chorale is the drop/add deadline, which is Tuesday, January 26th for the Winter 2010 term. This gives everyone enough time to learn our music before the concert, which is on Tuesday, April 6th at 8 PM in Hill Auditorium. Note that this means that you can still join even if you miss the Mass Meeting or the first couple of rehearsals for whatever reason.
AC sings a wide variety of great music. Primarily, we sing classical choral music, but delve into other styles like jazz, spirituals, and other contemporary styles. Check out the Music section to view our repertoire from past concerts.
Towards the start of the semester, we'll have our bi-annual retreat to rehearse, relax, and get to know each other. Every December we go caroling on the Diag and on Main Street, and in the Spring we have a Relay for Life team to raise money for the American Cancer Society. We have two major concerts every year in Hill Auditorium (November 24th and April 6th for 2008-2009), as well as other smaller performances to practice. After our concert in Hill Auditorium, we have a banquet dinner in the Michigan League with friends and family, and other fun social events throughout the semester. We're also planning a weekend concert tour in Northern Michigan - this is a great time to be an AC-er! Check out the Calendar page to find the official schedule of events, but expect to see more events added throughout the semester!
AC rehearses on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6 in MLB Aud 4, which is a relatively small time commitment for a campus choral group.
If you have a class that overlaps completely with one or both days of rehearsal, you unfortunately will not be able to be in choir that semester. If a class overlaps with 30 minutes to an hour of rehearsal, talk with the director - participation may be allowed on a case-by-case basis. It never hurts to ask!
AC is both a one-credit class through the School of Music and a student organization registered with MSA. If you'd like, you can register for Arts Chorale (class code: ENS 351) and earn one credit (LSA Students: AC counts toward your creative expression requirement!). Grades for the class are generally based on attendance. This class can be repeated for credit (so if you were in Arts Chorale for 4 years of college, you'd earn 8 extra credits toward your degree!). Members are encouraged to register for the class if you have the room, but don't let that stop you from joining us this semester; we'd love to have you either way!
AC does have dues, which allow us to pay for amazing guest musicians at our concerts, as well as promotional materials for the concerts and social events for our members. Dues for new members are $45, which includes a $10 music deposit that you'll get back when you leave Arts Chorale. Dues for returning members are $35/semester. If you are unable to pay your dues, please speak with a member of the E-Board at a rehearsal - we do NOT keep anyone from singing with us because of financial reasons.
Yes! A copy of the Arts Chorale Constitution is available for your perusal in PDF format here.
You can download a copy of the latest syllabus here: http://www.artschorale.com/downloads/Arts_Chorale_Syllabus.pdf.
Arts Chorale is co-ed and is open to students of any year or school in the University. We've had law students, grad students, music students, engineers, lots of LSA students, and more. People of all singing levels and backgrounds are encouraged to join. We work hard in our rehearsals, and it shows in our concerts. At the same time, we're energetic and silly... but the best way to get a feel for AC is to see it for yourself! Come to our Mass Meeting: Thursday, January 14th, 4-6 PM in MLB Aud 4!
