Frequently asked questions about LACC’s audition process.
WHEN ARE THE AUDITIONS HELD?
Auditions for LACC’s treble choirs and Young Men’s Ensemble will be held June 4 – 11, 2023. Young Men’s Ensemble auditions can also be arranged on a case-by-case basis.
WHO CAN AUDITION?
Singers ages 8-13 may audition for LACC’s treble ensembles. Singers in middle school or high school with changed or changing voices will be considered for the Young Men’s Ensemble. Singers ages 6-7 may sign up for First Experiences in Singing (FES) classes.
HOW DO I REGISTER MY YOUNG SINGER FOR AN AUDITION?
To register for an audition, you will need to complete the Audition Registration Form. Once your form is submitted, a staff member will reach out to schedule your audition.
WHERE ARE THE AUDITIONS HELD?
Auditions are held at Pasadena Presbyterian Church in Pasadena.
WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE?
Please arrive for your audition at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE AUDITION?
The conductors may ask you to perform some vocal exercises or guide you through a few lines of a song. You won’t have to prepare anything in advance, though.
WHAT IS THE MUSICIANSHIP ASSESSMENT?
LACC choristers participate in a sequential music theory program. To ensure placement in the appropriate level, candidates for Apprentice Choir, Intermediate Choir, Concert Choir, and Young Men’s Ensemble will be asked to complete a brief musicianship assessment to the best of their ability when meeting with our conductors.
WILL THERE BE A ZOOM AUDITION OPTION?
We are excited to return to in-person auditions this year, as they provide the best opportunity for our conductors to get to know prospective choristers. We encourage all singers to audition in person, but we will offer a limited number of Zoom meetings for those who are unable to audition in-person due to health concerns. If you would like to request a Zoom audition, you may do so through the Audition Form, keeping in mind there will be only limited spots available.
YOUNG MEN’S ENSEMBLE AUDITIONS
Singers with changed or changing voices should follow the same application process detailed above. Recognizing that the voice change may be unexpected and unpredictable, the Young Men’s Ensemble holds auditions on demand throughout the year, but it is best to sign up for an audition in the first week of June to be considered for the 2023|2024 season and to get feedback and recommendations from our conductors and musicianship team.
WHEN WILL I FIND OUT IF I AM ACCEPTED?
Audition results will be announced in mid-June. Most treble choristers accepted into LACC will be admitted as members of the Preparatory Choir or Apprentice Choir, and a few each year are admitted as members of the Intermediate Choir or Concert Choir.
Some will be invited to join the First Experiences in Choral Singing (FECS) Ensemble, which prepares children to advance to the Preparatory Choir.
MY SINGER HAS TAKEN FIRST EXPERIENCES IN SINGING CLASSES. DO I NEED TO SIGN UP FOR AN AUDITION?
If your singer has taken one or both levels of the First Experiences in Singing (FES) classes, and will turn 8 between September 1 and December 31, 2023, they will be invited to join the First Experiences in Choral Singing Ensemble (FECS). If they will turn 8 before September 1, they should sign up for an audition to be considered for LACC’s auditioned ensembles. If your singer has taken FES Level 1 and will not turn 8 this calendar year, we invite them to sign up for FES Level 2 in the spring and audition for LACC’s auditioned ensembles in June 2023.
MY SINGER IS CURRENTLY A MEMBER OF AN LACC ENSEMBLE. DO I NEED TO SIGN UP FOR AN AUDITION?
If your singer is currently a member of the First Experiences in Choral Singing Ensemble, Preparatory Choir, Apprentice Choir, Intermediate Choir, Concert Choir, Young Men’s Ensemble, Chamber Singers, or Chorale, you do not need to sign up for an audition. Your conductor will hold vocal evaluations before the end of the season to help determine ensemble placement for the following season. If your current high school-aged LACC chorister is interested in joining Chamber Singers or Chorale, more information about auditions for these advanced ensembles will be sent to eligible choristers soon. Eligibility requirements can be found in the Chorister & Parent Handbook, available to current families on Chorus Connection.
DOES LACC PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS?
Yes, LACC’s Need-Based Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to qualifying families each year to help cover the costs of chorister participation in LACC programs. If you would like to apply for financial aid for your chorister following his/her successful audition, you may do so during the post-audition registration process.
IF MY YOUNG SINGER IS ACCEPTED, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
After audition results are announced, families of accepted choristers will receive a digital registration packet to complete and return by mid-July. The 2023|2024 season will begin in September 2023.