Auditions

 Hi There, Future Nashville Singer!

So you're thinking about joining the fun we have making music together? That's fantastic! We're really excited you're considering singing with the Nashville Singers. We know that auditions can sometimes feel a little nerve-wracking, so we wanted to give you a friendly heads-up about what to expect and help you feel totally at ease.

What We're Looking For (Just So You Know!)

We're a group of folks who love to sing and work towards creating a really great sound together. While we're not professionals, we do aim for a polished performance. That means we're looking for people who have some basic musical and vocal skills so you can jump in and enjoy the rehearsals and help us reach our artistic goals.

Here's a little more about what that involves:

• Memorization: We'll ask you to learn your notes and lyrics within about 30 days of getting a new piece. Don't worry, we provide helpful learning tracks to make it easier!
• Vocal Range: We'll just do a quick and easy check to see which of our four voice parts (tenor, lead, baritone, bass) would be the best fit for your voice.

Let's Talk About the Audition (It's Not Scary, We Promise!)

Everyone who wants to sing with the chorus does a short audition. Here's a friendly peek at what you can expect:

• Finding Your Range: You'll simply sing a scale, going from your lowest comfortable note to your highest.
• Your Unique Voice: We'd love to hear you sing a song you enjoy, all by yourself (a cappella – no music needed!).
• Playing with Sounds (Intervals): We'll play some musical sounds (intervals) on the piano or sing them to you, and we'll just ask you to sing them back.
• Making Harmonies: We'll play a simple melody, and we'll invite you to try improvising some harmonies above or below it. It's just a bit of musical play!
• Feeling the Beat (Rhythm): We'll clap or tap out some simple rhythms, and we'll ask you to repeat them.
• Singing Together (Quartet): You'll get to sing a song from our current music with three other friendly singers. You can use sheet music if you like, or go without – whatever makes you comfortable!

Got Questions? We've Got Friendly Answers!

Q: What's the first step I should take?

A: Get to know us a little better! Check out our website, chat with some of our current members if you know any, and maybe even come to one of our performances. Then, just send a quick email to [email address removed] to say hi and let us know you'd like to come to a rehearsal!

Q: What do I need to prepare for the audition?
 

A: Absolutely nothing! Just come as you are. We'll gently guide you through some easy vocal warm-ups and a song that's probably familiar to you.

Q: Should I be nervous?
 

A: Not at all! Our auditions are private and totally relaxed. We're simply listening to your voice to find the best fit – we're not comparing anyone. We know auditions can feel a little awkward sometimes, so we promise a warm and encouraging welcome.

Q: How will I know if I've been accepted?
 

A: We usually make a decision pretty soon after your audition. If you're not quite ready to join as a full singing member yet, we might suggest becoming an associate member.

Q: What happens after the audition?
 

A: Once you've taken care of your membership dues, you'll get access to the the "Singers" project on Basecamp, a project management platform we utilize for internal communications and to stay organized.  Once inside,  you'll find our Chorus Member Manual and lots of other helpful info. You'll also be paired up with a friendly "Chorus Buddy" who can help you get settled in and answer any questions you might have.

We can't wait to hear from you and hopefully welcome you into our singing family!

Still have questions?

Email membership@nashvillesingers.org or call 615-669-8633. We're happy to help!