The Cleveland Orchestra Choruses today announced that auditions for the 2016-17 season will take place this spring. The Cleveland Orchestra embodies a long-standing commitment to choral music in which community members of all ages may have the opportunity to participate. All auditions are scheduled by appointment only and can be arranged by visiting The Cleveland Orchestra’s website at
http://www.clevelandorchestra.com/about/auditions-and-careers/chorus-auditions/.
Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and Blossom Festival Chorus
Auditions for the 2016-17 Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and 2016 Blossom Festival Chorus will be held April 28, May 5, and May 7. Prospective members must have previous choral experience and be able to sight-read music. Those auditioning are asked to prepare two pieces from the classical literature, each approximately two minutes in length, at least one of which should be in a foreign language. An excerpt from Brahms’s A German Requiem is also required for anyone interested in singing in the German Requiem at Severance Hall on July 8, and will be sent when the audition is scheduled. An accompanist is provided for all auditions.
The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus rehearses on Monday evenings from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. in Beachwood, with some additional Sunday evenings, and every night during concert weeks. The COC is tentatively scheduled to begin rehearsals on September 18, 2016, and end the season on May 14, 2017. Members of the COC perform with The Cleveland Orchestra in subscription and Christmas concerts at Severance Hall. The coming season for the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus will include performances of major works by Bach, Brahms, Duruflé, Haydn, and Stravinsky.
The Blossom Festival Chorus will perform in The Who's Classic Quadrophenia on August 20, 2016, at Blossom Music Center. Evening rehearsals are tentatively scheduled to begin onAugust 8. Blossom Festival Chorus members are also invited to sing with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus for Christmas concerts in December.
Blossom Festival Chorus members may also audition for the July 8 Brahms German Requiemconcert at Severance Hall with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus. Auditionees who wish to be considered for this additional concert will be required to sing an excerpt from the German Requiem. The required excerpt will be sent when an audition time is confirmed.
Cleveland Orchestra Children’s and Preparatory Choruses
The Children’s Choruses are open to students in grades 5-9. Auditions will be held on May 23, June 4, and June 11.
2016-17 marks the 50th anniversary season for the Cleveland Orchestra Children’s Chorus (Ann Usher, director). The Children’s Chorus provides musical training in vocal production and choral performance skills. Performance highlights for the Cleveland Orchestra Children’s Chorus will include The Nutcracker at the State Theater at Playhouse Square in Cleveland and Christmas concerts with The Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus at Severance Hall, as well as a special 50th Anniversary Spring Concert with alumni.
The Children’s Preparatory Chorus (Suzanne Walters, director) performs two concerts each season. Members are provided with initial choral experiences to which younger singers may not have been exposed. By developing musical skills and performing in public, the children acquire poise, increase self-esteem, and establish a solid foundation in techniques.
The Children’s Choruses rehearse on Monday nights. Their season begins in September and runs through May.
Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus
The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus (Lisa Wong, director) will also be celebrating a landmark occasion as the chorus embarks on its 25th anniversary season in 2016-17. The Youth Chorus helps raise awareness of choral music-making in the schools of Northeastern Ohio and encourages students to continue their choral activities through college and into adulthood. The Youth Chorus regularly collaborates with outstanding musical ensembles, and their 2016-17 season will include several concerts with The Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra.
The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus is open to all students in grades 9-12 and 8th-grade boys whose voices have changed. Auditions will be held on May 22, June 4, and June 11.
Shari Bierman Singer Fellowship
Shari Bierman Singer was a member of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus for 25 years. The Shari Bierman Singer Fellowship provides financial assistance for two Cleveland Orchestra Chorus members pursuing full-time undergraduate or graduate level studies in vocal performance, music education, conducting, or similar music-related fields. Financial assistance awarded through the Fellowship program serves as a tribute to Shari’s commitment to music education and the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus. Applications are currently being accepted for the 2016-17 season and will close on April 21. For more information or to make a contribution, please contact the Chorus Office at
216-231-7372 or
chorus@clevelandorchestra.com.
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