Audition and Membership
2023-2024 Season
Join the BCP Family – Sing for the Bach Choir!
To join the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh as a new member, you will participate in a musical audition. For the 2023-2024 Season audition, please complete the Auditions Form at the end of this page and our coordinator Carter Wellons will be in contact with you.
AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD: the evening of Tuesday, August 29, 2023 by in person and by appointment only.
PLEASE NOTE: All new members will need to submit proof of covid-19 full vaccination and booster prior to the auditions.
The Bach Choir of Pittsburgh includes a core of professional, paid singers and also volunteer singers. The audition process for both categories are listed below. We welcome everyone to audition and are looking to diversify and expand our choir.
AUDITION PROCESS
Regular Member Auditions (5 Minutes in Length):
- Sing one prepared piece (bring a copy of music for the accompanist)
- Sight sing
Core Auditions (10 Minutes in Length):
- Sing two memorized songs in two different languages. (bring music for the accompanist)
- Sight sing.
- Oral testing (keys, chords, musical terms, etc.) and aural tests (scales, intervals, etc.) will also be part of your audition session
For singers whose are chosen to join the choir, an orientation session for new members will be held when rehearsals start in September. All choir members must re-audition for each season.
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
To join the Choir is an opportunity to participate in making great music together with the conductor and your fellow singers, and a expectation to attend the rehearsals and the concerts for the entire season. The Choir’s rehearsal and subscription season runs from late August through early May.
Rehearsals are held each Tuesday evening from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm at Rodef Shalom Congregation, 4905 Fifth Avenue in Oakland. Rehearsals usually begin the first Tuesday after Labor Day and end in early May following the last scheduled season concert. There are two dress rehearsals, typically the Thursday and Friday evening before each concert weekend, which all members are required to attend. Concerts are typically Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. A half-day, Saturday choir retreat may also be required during the fall or spring, depending on the difficulty of the music and concert schedule.
Choir members are expected to pay dues to the organization each year. Dues for this season are $195 ($165 for students and seniors [65+]). Dues help cover a small portion of expenses related to music purchase and copying, artistic and administrative staff, liability insurance, and concert venue rental. If paid prior to September 6th there is a $10 discount ($185 and $155). Payment schedules can be arranged and there is a small scholarship pool for those needing help.
Concert dress is a solid black one-piece dress or two-piece top/skirt combination or a black tuxedo with black bowtie and a white shirt.