Hints and Tips

About the Audition Process:   

Scheduling

          For District and Region:

          Arrival time is usually 8:00 AM or 2:00 PM - check with your Director.

          If you have a known schedule conflict on that date:

                 For school event/activity related conflicts, request either an AM or a PM assignment through your Choir  Director.

                 For non-school related conflicts, requests may be granted on a case-by-case basis.

          Plan on arriving about 30 minutes in advance of your assigned arrival time, to claim table space. It gets very crowded!

          You must be present at all times from arrival time until you finish singing.  Once you finish singing, you may leave.

          Your "number" is pre-assigned, but you won't get it until you check-in.

          If you end up with a "high number" say something greater than 50 and your arrival time is 8:00 AM, that means that you will be                    there the entire day.  If your "number" is in the 60's, you could be leaving as late as 4:00 PM.

          For Pre-Area and Area:

          Arrival time is usually 8:00 AM.

          Plan on arriving at least 15 minutes prior to your assigned arrival time.

          If you have a scheduling conflict and cannot attend, you forfeit your opportunity.

          Singing is typically before lunch and sight reading is typically after lunch.

          You must be present at all times from arrival time until you finish singing.  

          For Pre-Area, you may leave after you finish singing.

          For Area, all singers must stay until the results are announced. Singers who move on to State must pickup their packets and pay the fee - in cash - immediately after the results are announced.

What you will Sing, What to Expect

          You will only sing a cut from your pieces - cuts will be given to you after check-in.

          As a group, you will practice the cuts.  This is your only opportunity to sing the cuts out loud.

          Everyone will wait in the cafeteria until your number is called.

          When your number is called, take your music and your water bottle and proceed to the waiting area.

                From there, you'll be asked to go one at a time into the judging room.

          You'll have about 30 seconds to set up your music and get ready.

          Sight reading follows the pattern as used by the reference materials listed below.

          You will sing behind a curtain - the judges will not see you.  

               But, they will see your feet, so wear appropriate footwear.

The Conditions and Food

         The air conditioning is usually very cold.

         You will be in the cafeteria; it will be crowded.

         You'll need to be quiet, so as to be able to hear when your number is called. 

         The hosting school's Choir Booster Club provides snacks, drinks, breakfast and lunch items for sale.

What to Bring

       Your music binder and a pencil to mark the cuts. Paper clips to organize your music.

       Homework, playing cards, board games, etc.

       Snacks and water bottle.

       Money for lunch, or a sack lunch.

       Blanket, hoodie, etc.

 What to Wear

      Your LETTERMAN JACKET. This is a great time to show off your horsepower and your school choir spirit!

      Comfortable clothing. It could be a long day.

Electronics - VERY IMPORTANT

      You'll be required to turn in your phone and all electronics (to the CB Choir Booster Club) when you arrive.

      If you need to make a call, you'll be chaperoned to a quiet area and your call must be monitored - this is to be sure that the cut selections or sight reading materials are not discussed outside the room.

      A Booster Club volunteer will assist you.

Your Support Team from Brook

       Your Brook Choir Booster Club will be there all day to help in any way necessary.

       Your parents are highly encouraged to volunteer as Booster Club chaperones.

       Chaperones will experience a fantastic treat - you will be in and amongst the voices of a choir several hundred strong and will hear the pieces from "inside" the choir when they practice the cuts.  This is an amazing and not to be missed experience!

What you MAY NOT DO

     You will be disqualified if:

           You have electronics in your possession during the day - except as above.

           You share any information about the cuts or sight reading with anyone outside the room.

           You privately or in small groups practice the music or sight reading while you are waiting (except when the entire room is singing as a warm up)

Getting the Results 

        For District and Region:

        Scores are available to your Director after completion of the last singer.

        At the discretion of the Director, you may be informed that evening whether or not you advanced and possibly your score, either by the Director or by a Booster Club volunteer.        

        Information will be available to singers on the following Monday from the Director.

        For Pre-Area and Area:

        Scores are available to your Director shortly after completion of the last singer.

        Results are announced, out loud, at the end of the day.

        Results are also available as discussed above.

Sight Reading Resources

        There are many resources available, these come recommended as a good starting point:

        90 Days to Sight Reading Success: A Singer's Resource for Competitive Sightsinging.  About $25 on Amazon.

        Another 90 Days to Sight Reading Success: A Singer's Resource for Competitive Sightsinging.  About $20 on Amazon.