Wellesley Public Schools

Performing Arts Department

2020-2021 Ensemble Audition Information

April 6, 2020

Dear Wellesley High School and Incoming Wellesley High School Musicians,

As you know, each Spring we have several auditions for our select music ensembles at Wellesley High School. In the past, each director has provided information and the procedure for the auditions.

Due to the closure of school at the present time and the need to schedule students for ensembles for next school year, this year we are doing a remote audition process/procedure to make sure we continue to move forward.

On the following pages you will find specific information regarding submission of video auditions, selections and scale information.

All video submissions should be submitted to each individual director by FRIDAY, APRIL 24th. We have extended the original deadline due to the new video submission requirement.

If you have any specific questions, please contact the ensemble Director by email.

We hope you are all safe and healthy and we look forward to your submissions in the next few weeks.

Sincerely,

Mr. Michael LaCava, Director of Performing Arts

Dr. Kevin McDonald, Choral Director

Dr. Sergey Khanukaev, Orchestra Director

Mr. Steve Scott, Band Director

WELLESLEY HIGH SCHOOL

CHORAL DEPARTMENT

SELECT ENSEMBLE AUDITIONS

(These auditions are for students in grades 10-12 in the 2020-2021 School Year)

Congratulations on your decision to audition for the select choral ensembles at Wellesley High School. Auditions are very helpful in assessing one’s strengths and areas for improvement. Auditions are a valuable opportunity to be heard individually and get constructive feedback on your singing. It is NOT just about being accepted into a select ensemble.

These auditions will aid Dr. McDonald and Mr. Weirick in placing students in choral ensembles that will maximize the opportunity for a productive and enjoyable experience for the individual student.

The two select choral ensembles at Wellesley High School are the Keynote Singers and the Rice Street Singers.

The Keynote Singers specialize in singing a wide variety of choral repertoire from classical to contemporary popular music. This ensemble will range from 30-55 voices on a given year dependent on balance and quality of auditions.

The Rice Street Singers specialize in vocal jazz but are also required to sing classical literature on occasion. This ensemble is smaller in nature and will include 8-20 students dependent on balance and quality of auditions.

All singers wishing to be considered for the Keynote Singers must prepare all elements of the audition with the exception of the jazz audition piece.

All singers wishing to be considered for the Rice Street Singers must prepare all elements of the Keynote audition AND the jazz audition piece.

ELEMENTS OF THE SELECT CHORAL ENSEMBLE AUDITION

All audition materials can be found on Dr. McDonald’s website.

https://sites.google.com/wellesleyps.org/wellesleyhighschoolchoraldept/home

1. PITCH PATTERNS

The student will give themselves a starting pitch and perform the sheet of pitch patterns as a musical etude. This will measure audition preparation, ability to audiate common pitch patterns found in choral music, and the ability to sing scale patterns. Students will be assessed on pitch accuracy and musicality. It is suggested that this piece is done from memory.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1eEciEf-UIYinaz9u6VX1hTr2aIWQS5oS

2. INTERVALS

A student will be asked to perform the Etude: Intervals from Doh. This is a shift from what we have done in the past. Students will give themselves a starting pitch and perform the ENTIRE etude with intervals ascending AND descending. (In past years we selected random intervals)

https://drive.google.com/open?id=13fwI5feLVes3o8mt_o9t-9AYCLiQmUux

3. RHYTHM LINES

Students will perform 3 rhythm lines- 1 in 2/4, 1 in 3/4, and 1 in 4/4 time using rhythm patterns that have been instructed in class and through our remote learning process. These rhythm lines will be mailed directly to the students the week of April 6.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UosNbfZAf6NQ-yvS_g10VYLNDBXZsf4A/view?usp=sharing

4. CLASSICAL PART-SINGING

Students will perform the first movement of the Vivaldi Gloria. We introduced this music in classes the week school was closed. It is a standard piece in the choral repertoire. Students will prepare their individual part and perform with a sound file of a full choir singing this piece. Below are rehearsal tracks to help in your preparation. For the audition you will sing your part with the recording of ALL voices singing that was emailed.

Vivaldi Gloria- Soprano Rehearsal Track

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZomQ7U8eWY&list=PLa3ZBVWX19VPF6hcYm5glP7DiZyyXKUjs

Vivaldi Gloria- Alto Rehearsal Track

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1mz64tPk1U&list=PLa3ZBVWX19VMzJbIe2cOKkizA9vElTpj8

Vivaldi Gloria- Tenor Rehearsal Track

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGFJ0PPlKuQ&list=PLa3ZBVWX19VNp_t5Mc81zvQQvIVtI0bkt

Vivaldi Gloria- Bass Rehearsal Track

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ifl2YOXGduo&list=PLa3ZBVWX19VO8L26JnQcRTQtwQZZwhS-d

***** PLEASE NOTE- YOU WILL SING THE VIVALDI GLORIA WITH THE ACCOMPANIMENT TRACK THAT HAS BEEN EMAILED TO YOU. THE LINKS ABOVE ARE FOR REHEARSAL ONLY.

5. VOCAL JAZZ AUDITION PIECE- ONLY FOR THOSE AUDITIONING FOR RICE STREET

Lullabye of Birdland- Students will be asked to perform Lullabye of Birdland with the written scat solo in it’s entirety with the ACCOMPANIMENT track. The sheet music, vocal performance, and accompaniment track has been sent by email.

VIDEO SUBMISSION DUE DATE:

All video submissions are due by 5:00pm on Friday, April 24th

Video Audition Guidelines

1. Prepare your audition by learning all elements of the audition.

2. Set up your audition setting-

A. Make sure you have a way to record a video of your audition.

B. Make sure you can be seen clearly in the video without your music stand blocking your hands/face.

C. Make sure you have a way of playing the accompaniment track to your solo through a bluetooth speaker.

3. Make sure to do a soundcheck to assure good sound without distortion.

4. Record your Keynote Audition – one take, no edits.

5. Record your Rice Street Audition on a SEPARATE video- one take, no edits

6. Email your videos to Dr. McDonald at mcdonaldk@wellesleyps.org with a subject heading of your last name and what audition video it is. For example- McDonald- Keynote Audition or McDonald- Rice Street Audition.