Plymouth South Vocal Department
A Cappella Audition Info
Solo Auditions:
Monday, June 2nd
3:30p-6:00p
PSHS Chorus Room
Group Auditions:
Thursday, June 5th
4:00-6:00p
PSHS Chorus Room
(Students who wish to be considered for the group must attend both rounds of auditions)
Monday, June 2nd
3:30p-6:00p
PSHS Chorus Room
Group Auditions:
Thursday, June 5th
4:00-6:00p
PSHS Chorus Room
(Students who wish to be considered for the group must attend both rounds of auditions)
Solo Round Auditions
June 2nd; 3:30-6:00pm
Step 1 - Sign up for an audition
June 2nd; 3:30-6:00pm
Step 1 - Sign up for an audition
-Sign up for an audition by filling out the Audition Sign-Up Form - This will ensure that you get any information about auditions as we get closer!
Step 2 - Prepare Your Solo Audition
-Learn about each part of the Solo Audition by checking out each tab below.
1. introduce yourself
Say hello! Tell us your name, what grade you're going into, and what you're going to sing!
2. solo song
Perform a verse and chorus (about 45-60 seconds) from TWO songs, unaccompanied (Just your voice!)
- Your two songs should be contrasting in some way -- Fast/slow, different genres, different ranges, any differences like these will work!
- Feel free to sing your solos in a key that's different from the original. We want to hear where you sound best! If you know a specific note that you need to hear before starting, we can give you that!
- Students are encouraged to choose a song from a contemporary popular genre -- i.e. pop, rock, R&B, hip hop, etc. While all genres are permitted, students would be smart to audition on a song that a group might conceivably sing.
3. part singing
1. Download the Part Singing Materials at home.
2. Use learning tracks and sheet music to learn whichever voice part suits you best (your choice!), paying attention to phrasing, dynamics, and inflections of the voices in the demo.
3. In your audition, we'll play the "Performance" track out loud for your voice part while you sing along with it (your part will be missing from this track -- fill it in with your voice!)
Please prepare measures 1-35 of "Light On" by Maggie Rogers
2. Use learning tracks and sheet music to learn whichever voice part suits you best (your choice!), paying attention to phrasing, dynamics, and inflections of the voices in the demo.
3. In your audition, we'll play the "Performance" track out loud for your voice part while you sing along with it (your part will be missing from this track -- fill it in with your voice!)
Please prepare measures 1-35 of "Light On" by Maggie Rogers
4. vocal percussion
Vocal percussion, or beatboxing, is optional for your audition.
5. scales
In your audition, you will be asked to sing along to some vocal exercises to hear how high and low your voice goes right now. This will have no effect on your audition score. It's just a convenient way to get a sense of where your vocal range sits.
Step 3 - Fill Out and Submit the Audition Form
-Go to the South Avenue Audition Form.
-Fill out ALL of the requested information.
-Check out the tabs below for info on a few important parts of the form!
-Fill out ALL of the requested information.
-Check out the tabs below for info on a few important parts of the form!
Step 4 - Group Audition Round
Thursday, June 5th
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Chorus Room
- You will be asked to sing the same parts you sang for the Part Singing portion of your solo audition, but this time with everyone else!
-We'll spend some time at the start of the audition in brief sectionals.
-After some brief sectionals, you'll be asked to sing in small groups, either one-to-a-part or two.
-This is where we get to see how well you work with others and how flexible you can be in a group setting, so in many ways it's the most important day of auditions!
CLICK HERE FOR THE GROUP AUDITION GOOGLE FOLDER
Please prepare from the beginning up to measure 35
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Chorus Room
- You will be asked to sing the same parts you sang for the Part Singing portion of your solo audition, but this time with everyone else!
-We'll spend some time at the start of the audition in brief sectionals.
-After some brief sectionals, you'll be asked to sing in small groups, either one-to-a-part or two.
-This is where we get to see how well you work with others and how flexible you can be in a group setting, so in many ways it's the most important day of auditions!
CLICK HERE FOR THE GROUP AUDITION GOOGLE FOLDER
Please prepare from the beginning up to measure 35
Roster/Group Announcement
Posted via email Friday, June 6th at 2:00pm
-Mr. Luciana will also be available in the PAC after school until 2:45p to answer any questions or give any feedback.
-Mr. Luciana will also be available in the PAC after school until 2:45p to answer any questions or give any feedback.
-Students will be emailed with the attendance policy and contract that night.
-Read the attendance policy and contract carefully, sign with a parent/guardian, and submit a photo of the signature page by Sunday, June 9th to accept your spot in the group!
-Read the attendance policy and contract carefully, sign with a parent/guardian, and submit a photo of the signature page by Sunday, June 9th to accept your spot in the group!
South Avenue Frequently Asked Questions
what is the time commitment like?
South Avenue rehearses every Monday and Thursday from 4:00pm until 6:00pm.
Aside from regular rehearsals, the group performs at various events, winter and spring concerts, opportunities inside and outside of the community, as well as competitions and festivals. Attendance at rehearsals is extremely important, while attendance at performances is required. While it is a significant time commitment, by all accounts, it is a rewarding experience, and you get as much out of it as you are willing to put in.
Ensembles frequently have commitments which take place on Friday nights or Saturdays. Being a member of any a cappella group will force you to get your time management skills in order and keep a detailed planner.
Aside from regular rehearsals, the group performs at various events, winter and spring concerts, opportunities inside and outside of the community, as well as competitions and festivals. Attendance at rehearsals is extremely important, while attendance at performances is required. While it is a significant time commitment, by all accounts, it is a rewarding experience, and you get as much out of it as you are willing to put in.
Ensembles frequently have commitments which take place on Friday nights or Saturdays. Being a member of any a cappella group will force you to get your time management skills in order and keep a detailed planner.
i play/want to play a sport -- can i still sing in south avenue?
While it would be great if this were a simple answer, it depends entirely on the sport. Different sports practice at different times, and different sports have different game schedules. Contact your coach and see how the two conflict. Usually, we can make this work! We've had students that are also involved in softball, volleyball, track, cross country, hockey, swimming, and more. Ideally, any overlap time between rehearsal and practice would be split between the sport and the group. If you plan to be a multi-sport athlete within a single season, please reach out to Mr. Luciana prior to auditioning.
what happens after the roster is sent to us?
Auditionees will be sent 'contracts' to be signed by the student and a parent/guardian by Sunday, June 9th. This is how you will accept your spot in the ensemble. Our first rehearsal will be Monday, June 9th from 4:00pm until 6:00pm. The last rehearsal of the school year will be Monday, June 16th.
can i get feedback on my audition?
Yes! Mr. Luciana will be available after school on Friday, June 6th until 2:45pm to answer any questions or go over your score sheet, or you can email him at [email protected]
how are the auditions scored?
Each audition will be seen and scored by Mr. Luciana and two other experienced members of the a cappella and music education communities. You can find the Audition Rubric below. The scores from each solo song will be averaged together.
You can view the score sheet for auditions HERE.
You can view the score sheet for auditions HERE.
What happens if I don't get into the group?
Unfortunately I am not able to take everyone who auditions, though the size of the group can vary from year to year (the smallest it's been is 13). However, next year there will be a new, non-auditioned a cappella group that meets every Thursday from 2:15-3:30pm in the Chorus Room Co-Directed by Mr. Luciana and Norah Cunningham, '28. Those students not accepted into South Avenue are encouraged to participate in the new group as a way to keep singing, develop new skills, and build upon any skills you've already learned but want to improve!