Choir and Blues Audition Information

Vocal Music

2024-2025 Choir Auditions

The choir classes offered next year are Cantare TB Choir, Cantando SA Choir, Bel Canto Treble Choir, and A Cappella Mixed Choir (course scheduling may differ depending on scheduling).

Cantando Treble and Cantare TB Choir are non-auditioned Choirs. They may meet as separate classes or in the same hour as a mixed choir or depending on scheduling. All soprano and alto voice students are welcome to sign up for Cantando SA and all tenor, baritone, and bass voices are welcome to sign up for Cantare TB Choir and no audition is required. Previous Choir experience is NOT required. Most 9th graders, many 10th graders, and some 11th and 12th graders will be enrolled in these choirs. These choirs will perform at MSVMA Solo and Ensemble and/or Choral Festival and three to four concerts throughout the year. If you are unsure what to put on your course request, sign up for this class! If you are unsure which voice part you are, please contact Mrs Cie at ciechanl@aaps.k12.mi.us. 

Bel Canto is an Auditioned Select Treble Chorus. There will be spots open for up to 30 SA students total. This ensemble will perform many styles of choral music, chamber music, pop, jazz, contemporary a cappella, and musical theater. This choir will attend MSVMA Solo and Ensemble and/or Choral Festival and will be featured in numerous concerts and events throughout the year.

A Cappella Choir is an Auditioned Select Mixed Chorus. There will be spots open for up to 12 TB voices and up to 12 SA voices total. This choir will perform a variety of classical and concert choral genres, a cappella, and musical theater. This choir will attend MSVMA Solo and Ensemble and/or Choral Festival and will be featured in numerous concerts and events throughout the year.

Members of Bel Canto and A Cappella Choir will be selected based on several characteristics. Both choirs will perform advanced repertoire at a variety of events. Students will be placed in the choir which best suits the individual strengths and characteristics of their voices. Proficient sight-reading skills are required for both auditioned choirs.

All incoming 9th grade students should select CANTANDO SA OR CANTARE TB on their schedule request forms. Most 9th graders will remain enrolled in these classes. Adjustments to schedules will be made AFTER auditions, if necessary.

AAPS CHOIR PLACEMENT & AUDITION PROCEDURES 2024-25

Description of Curricular Ensembles

Cantando is a treble choir, grades 9-12.  Most 9th grade treble voices sing in Cantando. (H,P,S)

Cantare is a tenor-bass choir, grades 9-12.  Most 9th grade bass voices sing in Cantare. (H,P,S)

Bel Canto is an auditioned, advanced treble choir, grades 9-12. (Huron/Skyline)

Bel Canto White is an auditioned, intermediate treble choir, grades 9-12. (Pioneer)

Bel Canto Purple is an auditioned, advanced treble choir, grades 9-12. (Pioneer)

A Cappella is an auditioned, advanced choir of treble and bass voices, grades 9-12. (H,P,S) 

Enrollment and Placement - Returning Students

1. Sign up for your current choir on your course request form or in PowerSchool.

2. Students wishing to stay in their current ensemble do not need to audition.

3. Students wishing to move from Cantare/Cantando must audition. Deadline: APRIL 11.

4. Students wishing to move between auditioned ensembles must audition. Deadline: APRIL 11.

5. Students who elect to not audition this spring will be placed in their current choir for 2024-25.

Enrollment and Placement - New Students

1. All incoming 9th graders and new students will automatically be placed in CANTANDO or CANTARE, based on their voice part.  On your course request form, with your counselor, or in PowerSchool, please do the following:

Sopranos & Altos: Sign up for CHOIR, CANTANDO (Treble)

Tenors & Basses: Sign up for CHOIR, CANTARE (Bass)

2. Students that want to be considered for the auditioned ensembles (Bel Canto and/or A Cappella) should enroll in Cantando/Cantare and then submit an audition, as described above.  Deadline: APRIL 11.

3. Outside-of-District or In-District Transfer Students: The teacher will arrange an audition with any transfer student who requests it, to be completed no later than the second week of school in September.

What is included in my audition?

1. VOCALIZATION

Please prepare the supplied vocalization exercises, using the MP3 file link in the folder (also linked here). If submitting an audition video, you will sing along to the recording, wearing one headphone so you can hear the exercises in sequential order. If the exercises go too high or too low for your voice, simply stop singing and wait for the next exercise to begin. If you are planning an in-person audition, Mrs. Cie will guide you through vocalization.

2. PREPARED SOLO

Sing 45-60 seconds of a folk song, art song, aria in English or other language, or musical theater song. The solo may be sung a cappella or with accompaniment, and either memorized or with music. Demonstrate your musicianship through quality intonation, phrasing, dynamics, diction, expression, and pitch/rhythm accuracy. Announce your name and song title before singing. This procedure is the same for video and in person auditions.

A possible audition selection is provided in the audition folders below, but you are welcome to select a piece of your choosing. Each provided selection also has an accompaniment MP3.

• Shenandoah (High Key and Low Key)

SKYLINE CHOIR AUDITION MATERIALS

How to SIGN UP FOR AN IN PERSON Audition

In person auditions will take place during class for current students (no need to sign up unless you prefer an evening audition time) and on March 25 from 5:00-6:30 at Skyline High School. Click HERE to sign up for an in person slot. 

How to SUBMIT YOUR VIDEO Audition Recording

Auditions will be submitted via video, including the components listed above.  No editing is necessary.  Please announce your name, school, and voice part preference in the video.

When you are ready to submit your audition, click on the form below, enter your information, and upload your audition video.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR AN IN PERSON AUDITION*

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR VIDEO AUDITION

All choir students are expected to attend choir camp-Aug.13-19, 2024

Email ciechanL@aaps.k12.mi.us for more information!

AP Music Theory!

Students will study the tools used in reading, writing, and listening to music. The two tri course will focus on vocal and instrumental of the common practice. Students will engage in score analysis, sight-singing, aural recognition, composition, and fundamental keyboard harmony. This is a difficult, but great class that is open to grades 10-12. 

2023-2024 Choir Audition RESULTS listed below.

Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with Ms. Cie to obtain audition feedback!

Skyline Blues Audition Requirements (June, TBD) 

Students should prepare a solo in a contemporary style (pop, jazz, alternative, country, folk-rock, etc.-not classical) and should be prepared to sing it a cappella. Sheet music is not needed. The song should show off your range and stage presence/expression. Treble voices-we'll need to hear both your chest voice (belt) and head voice. Those who are called back after the solo portion will learn a portion of a song and will be evaluated on rehearsal technique and work ethic, stage presence, versatility (ability to be both a soloist and an ensemble member who blends and is able to perform in multiple vocal styles), intonation, and ability to hold your harmony part. You may also be asked to sight read.

If you are a beat boxer (vocal percussionist), you should prepare a beat boxing solo to be performed immediately after you sing your solo. Your beat boxing solo should be as thoroughly prepared as your singing solo-we would like to hear varying beats, fills, and techniques.

Auditions will be performed for Mrs. CieChanski, Ms. Alawi, and the returning members of Skyline Blues, who are, due to the nature of the many elements of Skyline Blues that are self-directed, involved in the audition process and the decisions.