Pre-audition for choir school - what to expect?

[MollieO]

Ds has a pre-audition for a choir school next week. It is classed as an 'informal audition' which isn't compulsory but will give us an indication if it is worthwhile ds going on to do the main panel audition.

Does anyone have experience of these? Do I need to do anything to prepare ds? (I'm assuming not). What sort of questions will he be asked?

Hopeful bump.

I would imagine saying if a note if higher or lower. Repeat clapping. Singing back a simple tune or scale played on the piano.

Really they want to know if he can sing in tune and follow instructions. How old is he? Does he have singing experience already?

He is 7 and sings in the boys' choir at our local church. He started singing lessons last term and is taking grade 1 this term. He loves singing so I hope that comes out.

That sounds like a good start then! Which school is it? PM if you don't want to say here :)

St George's in Windsor. We went to the open day last week and he loved it. They offer an informal pre-audition so I thought it was worth doing.

It is worth doing! Hope he has a good time there!

I hope so That's what he does all the time so fingers crossed he does it there too.

I had two cathedral choristers for eight years ... big committment but they insist it was worth it. Just sing something he's comfortable with (not too hard, doesn't need to be sophisticated), smile, talk (when you're talked to), concentrate, listen ... good luck.

I can get answers if you have specific questions about St George's although my contact was there Quite A Long Time Ago!

I think the whole idea of pre-auditions is that you don't need to prepare for them; they give you an opportunity to understand where your child's abilities fit on the scale, and show you both what will be expected in an audition.

My eldest did a pre-audition a bit over a year ago which gave us an idea that yes she might be in with a chance. We were in with her so could see and understand what was going on for ourselves. She was then unsuccessful in her first audition but we had positive feedback to try again. So this year she's just reauditioned and has now been offered a place (gulp). I remember the choirmaster's original comments was that by pre-audition (and also an optional group day he runs), he can give all his candidates the best chance to be fully prepared on audition day which makes his job easier :) This year we didn't do very much preparation with her - just chose a piece a week before that she'd learnt in church choir and practised a few of the aural things a bit.

I think their enthusiasm and interest is a big factor. My 6 yr old has also just been accepted for a choir - at least he'll be a day boy unlike his sister. He just can't leave music alone - singing stuff, trying stuff out on the piano etc. I'm not sure how we're going to manage the next few years but it's going to be a great adventure. Oh and we could have had a chat with his choirmaster ahead of time, but didn't since he was already in the school, and we felt we knew what we needed to about their process and requirements. We had also discovered (to my shock) that the choirmaster knew him a year ago - we hadn't realised quite how closely and early he watched the little ones coming through the school!

Good luck to your son!

We had an audition last week.

Dd sang 2 songs. The choirmaster accompanied her on the piano so take the sheet music with you.

The aural tests were repeat a simple tune played on the piano, saying whether a tune was in 2 time or 3 time. Clapping a rhythm. Two notes played together on the piano and asked to sing the higher note, then the lower note. Then try and sing a note in between the two which would make a nice sound.

I know that DD got some of them wrong, but I think they were more interested in the tone of voice, whether they have a good ear and whether they listen/ take instruction. Rather than expecting full musical knowledge. They just need to see that there is something there to work with.

It was all very positive, the choirmaster was very nice and not scary at all. We got a yes. Hope that helps and good luck.

Oh and smiling helps!

Thank you so much. I'm not planning on doing any prep for the pre-audition and I hope that it will give guidance on whether ds should do the main audition. Ds probably sings as much as he speaks (and he's very vocal!). I reckon he'll be fine on the aural tests but he won't choose a song to sing. If they suggest he does the main audition I'm going to talk to his church choir mistress to get her to suggest a song/hymn.

First question at pre-audition 'what song would you like to sing' as the director of music took him into the room (without me, eek!). I didn't realise that I wouldn't be allowed to sit in so all I could do was sit outside feeling sick. We hadn't done any prep so I don't know what ds sung other than it was something from church.

I could hear a bit of the piano but not ds singing at all. Only 10-15 mins and the verdict was they would be very interested in him auditioning. We had a look round the school and ds absolutely loved it (as did I). Now need to sort out a song for the audition.

Also ds was very very chatty with the director of music (and the registrar who showed us round). One of the choristers from the open day recognised ds and remembered his name, which I thought was lovely.

Hi MollieO and well done to your DS! I have 2 cathedral choristers, a DD and a DS who board at their choir school (only 12 miles down the road though!). It is indeed a huge commitment but so worth it, both for them and for us as a family. I believe the choirmaster is looking for potential - they want to know they can train someone - and actually discourage too much preparation so they can see the 'raw' talent. It's not all plain sailing but I wish you all the very best if you go for it!