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At TAFA, we help students of all ages and abilities build confidence in using their voices. We believe that everyone can sing, and we provide the tools to help students sing with excellence. Our program caters to all levels, from complete beginners to lifelong singers, ensuring each student receives the training they need to succeed.
For students who have not yet had choir experience, there is no need to audition.
For students who have not yet had choir experience, there is no need to audition.
-Elementary students (ages 8-11) can sign up for Elementary Singers.
-Middle School/High School students (ages 12-18) can sign up for Chorale (with Vocal Techniques).
Placement in all our other choirs requires an audition.
Placement in all our other choirs requires an audition.
If you missed the May 1st auditon day, additional auditions will take place August 10th. Check back in July to sign up for a time.
If you missed the May 1st auditon day, additional auditions will take place August 10th. Check back in July to sign up for a time.
You can also reach out to Mrs. Hames schedule an individual appointment in June or July.
You can also reach out to Mrs. Hames schedule an individual appointment in June or July.
DO NOT sign up for an auditioned class before receiving permission.
DO NOT sign up for an auditioned class before receiving permission.
Questions?
Contact Elizabeth Hames: elizabeth.hames@tafa.org
Primary Level Choirs
Primary Level Choirs
Elementary Singers
Ages 8-11
Instructor: Elizabeth Hames
Monday 11:00-11:55 & 1:00-1:55 and Tuesday 12:30-1:25
No Audition Necessary
Con Spirito
Ages 10-13
Instructor: Elizabeth Hames
Monday 2:00-2:55
Audition Only
Secondary Level Choirs
Secondary Level Choirs
Chorale (with Vocal Techniques)
Ages 12-18
Instructor: Ondrea Schenck
Tuesday 10:30-12:30
No Audition Necessary
Students new to the TAFA secondary level choirs should start here. Students will sing in the Chorale ensemble but will also take a 30 minute Vocal Techniques add-on class during the fall semester to learn basic music theory and sight singing. Those who are already proficient in reading music may choose to take a Choral Evaluation test (study guide below) and bypass the Vocal Techniques portion.
Chorale
Ages 12-18
Instructor: Ondrea Schenck
Tuesday 10:30-12:00
No Audition Necessary, but students must first complete Vocal Techniques or pass a Choral Evaluation test (study guide below).
Concert Choir
Ages 12-15
Instructor: Elizabeth Hames
Tuesday 9:00-10:30
Audition Only
Chamber Choir
Ages 14-18
Instructor: Elizabeth Hames
Tuesday 10:30-12:25
Audition Only
Resonant Jazz Ensemble
Ages 14-18
Instructor: Elizabeth Hames
Tuesday 1:30-2:55
Audition Only
Audition Expectations
Audition Expectations
CON SPIRITO (Ages 10-13)
CON SPIRITO (Ages 10-13)
Contact: elizabeth.hames@tafa.org
Auditions last about 10 minutes. Students will do the following in their audition.
Echo short melodic patterns sung by the director
Sing a major scale ascending and descending on solfege
Sight-sing a short selection on solfege in C Major
Sing a short excerpt in two-part harmony with the director
Look through a score with the director and answer basic music literacy questions about the piece
Sing an art song, hymn, or short traditional song of your choice. You may provide music for the director to view, an accompaniment using your device that connects to a Bluetooth speaker, bring an accompanist, or sing a cappella.
________
CHORALE (Ages 12-18)
CHORALE (Ages 12-18)
Contact: ondrea.schenck@tafa.org
Students usually move into this choir with no audition after completing Vocal Techniques. However, some students may by-pass VT by taking and passing the Choral Evaluation test.
________
CONCERT CHOIR (Ages 12-15)
CONCERT CHOIR (Ages 12-15)
Contact: elizabeth.hames@tafa.org
Auditions last about 10 minutes. Students will do the following in their audition.
Echo short melodic patterns sung by the director
Sing a major scale ascending and descending on solfege
Sight-sing a short selection on solfege in a key other than C Major
Sing a short excerpt in two-part harmony with the director
Look through a score with the director and answer basic music literacy questions about the piece
Sing an art song, hymn, or short traditional song of your choice. You may provide music for the director to view, an accompaniment using your device that connects to a Bluetooth speaker, bring an accompanist, or sing a cappella.
CHAMBER CHOIR (Ages 14-18)
CHAMBER CHOIR (Ages 14-18)
Contact: elizabeth.hames@tafa.org
Auditions last about 10-minutes. Students will do the following in their audition.
Sing a vocal exercise to determine range
Echo short pitch motives
Sing a major scale using Kodaly Handsigns (ex. Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti, Do)
Sight Read (Determine key signature, time signature and starting solfege syllable)
Sing an art song, hymn, or short traditional song of your choice. You may provide music for the director to view, an accompaniment using your device that connects to a Bluetooth speaker, bring an accompanist, or sing a cappella.
*How to prepare:
Practice singing scales on solfege.
Confidently know your solo.
Practice playing 3-4 random pitches (in your range) on a piano and sing them back.
Study the Choral Evaluation Study Guide.
Go to musictheory.net and practice identifying key signatures and where “Do” is for each key.
Study sight reading lessons from class or click on the SIGHT READING EXERCISE below to study.
________
JAZZ CHOIR (Ages 14-18)
JAZZ CHOIR (Ages 14-18)
Contact: elizabeth.hames@tafa.org
Auditions last about 15-minutes. Students will do the following in their audition.
Sing a vocal exercise to determine range.
Echo jazz phrases on simple scat syllables, imitating vocal style of director.
Sing a half-step (chromatic) scale.
Sight Read (Determine key signature, time signature and starting solfege syllable).
Sing harmony to "Amazing Grace" with the director.
Sing a jazz selection of your choice from memory. You may provide an accompaniment using your device connected to our speaker or bring an accompanist. It is better not to sing a cappella for this audition.
*How to prepare:
Study the CHROMATIC Exercise & SCAT exercises linked below.
Confidently know your solo from memory and show vocal freedom
Practice playing 3-4 random pitches (in your range) on a piano and sing them back (Use the ECHO PITCHES exercise below.)
Sing harmony over melody to EVERYTHING. Try to sing a part that others are not singing (Use HARMONIZATION to "AMAZING GRACE" below.)
LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN to other great jazz musicians/vocalists
Go to musictheory.net and practice identifying key signatures and where “Do” is for each key. Practice singing back intervals in the ear-training portion
Review sight reading using lessons from class (Use SWING STYLE SCAT MUSIC & EXERCISE below.)
Audition Resources
Audition Resources
Choral Evaluation Study Guide.pdfAudition Sightreading Exercises.pdfPage updated
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