Is everyone required to do an audition in order to be in a choir at Kennedy?

No! Sopranos and altos who choose not to audition will be placed in Kennedy Singers.  Tenors and basses who choose not to audition will be placed in Kennedy Chorale.  There is a place for every singer at Kennedy even if you don't feel comfortable doing an audition. We'll work on improving your skills and confidence so you are ready to complete an audition next year!

Who is required to do an audition?

Any student who wants to be in Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, Eclipse, or Moonlight Express is required to complete a vocal audition. Any student who wants to be in any show choir (Happiness or Protege) is required to complete a vocal and a dance audition.

Fill out the audition form. CLICK HERE

Audition Requirements:

For your vocal audition you will make a video of yourself singing two things:

1. Sing "My Country 'tis of Thee" 

See it and hear it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIXguWyvF74

You can sing this song starting on any note. Sing it wherever it feels the most comfortable in your voice. Here's a virtual piano in case you don't have access to one": https://www.onlinepianist.com/virtual-piano

2. Sing about 30-45 seconds of a song of your choice.

Video requirements:

• The above items must be performed in one take on a single video.

• Your face must be fully visible throughout the entire video.

• If possible, name your video file in this format: vocal-first name last name  (eg. vocal-Storm Ziegler)

(If you can't figure out how to change your file name, it's okay. Just submit it and I'll change it when it comes in.)

Only students interested in show choir need to complete a dance audition.  

Audition Requirements:

For your dance audition, you will make a video of yourself doing the audition dance as taught by Damon Brown. You can find a video of Damon Brown teaching the dance by clicking  HERE. 

You can mirror Damon (moving your right arm when he moves his left) or use the side he is using...it doesn’t matter. 

Video requirements:

• Your entire body and face must be visible in the video at all times. (From head to toe!)

• You must do the audition dance twice in a row, non-stop, on the same video take.

• If at all possible, please do not have your camera be on the floor. The best position would be about chest height, with your whole body in the frame. If you can't make that work, just do the best you can.

• Name your video file in this format: dance-first name last name  (eg. dance-Storm Ziegler)

Optional Workshops:

In addition to the teaching video, you can get in-person help on learning and practicing the dance by attending one or more of the OPTIONAL audition workshops at Kennedy.  We will also go over tips for the vocal audition, and practice My Country Tis of Thee in multiple keys so you can find the one most comfortable for you! The workshops will be held in the choir room at Kennedy (Room 306) on the following dates: Monday, April 1st at 6:30pm and Tuesday, April 2nd at 3:30pm. 

All audition materials including the audition form and videos must be submitted by the end of the day Friday, April 12th, 2024.

To submit your audition videos, CLICK HERE. 

You need to submit a separate form for each video. So, if you are auditioning for show choir you will submit the form once with the dance video and once with the singing video.

If you are having trouble submitting your videos via the form, send me a link to the video in an email (sziegler@crschools.us) Make sure to change permissions on your video so anyone with the link can watch it. 

Tips for your vocal audition:

1. Practice your audition before you try to record it! Warm-up your voice and practice all parts of your audition.

2. For the song of your choice, keep in mind these tips for good audition selections:

2. 1. Songs from a choir you are currently singing in or from your private voice study are great choices because you should know them very well!

   2. Make sure whatever song you pick has an interesting melody.  Don’t choose a song with a two or three-note range.

   3. Don't choose a song that sits too low or too high in your vocal range.

   4. Don’t choose a song with inappropriate lyrics or an inappropriate topic.  

   5. Don’t choose a song that suggests you didn’t put any time into thinking about the choice, such as Happy Birthday, Mary Had a Little Lamb, The Wheels on the Bus, etc…

   6. If you choose a “radio” song or something from musical theater, sing the chorus. Don’t sing the verse.

CLICK HERE to see an example of a great vocal audition. Notice how the camera is at chest/head level and you can clearly see her torso and head while she is singing. 

CLICK HERE for an example of how NOT to setup your camera for your vocal audition.

Tips for your dance audition:

1. SMILE!!! You are scored on your facial expression. 

2. Dance with strength and energy. Strong, sharp, and accurate movements get high scores!

3. Practice! Come to one of the workshops to get in-person feedback and lots of good practice!

4. If you can, take your video in portrait orientation (the tall way). It will be easier to get your entire body in the video.

CLICK HERE to see an example of a great dance audition. Notice how she uses portrait orientation so it is easy to see her footwork and her facial expressions while she dances. She also stays in the frame the entire time and is in a well lit space. 

You can confirm that your audition materials have been received by checking the tracking sheet HERE or by clicking the "Auditions Received" link at the top of this page. 

Cast lists for all 2024-2025 groups except Protege will be posted at 7pm on Friday, May 24th, 2024. You will be able to find the link to the cast lists at the top of this page. So make sure you bookmark this page! The Protege list will likely not be posted until school starts in August.