Q: I've considered singing with your group. What is your audition process?

A: While Nashville Singers is an amateur chorus, we make every attempt to strive for a polished musical product. Therefore, while we don't have the expectation that our singers be of "professional" caliber, we do require singers to demonstrate certain musical and vocal proficiencies so that they will be able to keep pace with our rehearsals and make a positive contribution to our artistic goals. All members should be so skilled as to be able to memorize all their notes and words within 30 days of being introduced to a piece of music. Part-predominant learning tracks are usually provided to assist with this process.

Upon arrival at one of our rehearsals, guests (interested in membership) will be given a very brief vocal evaluation to determine their vocal range. This will allow us to find the best (voice part) fit for each singer.

Here are the basic components of the audition process:  

1. Range: Those auditioning will be asked to start singing a scale from the lowest note in their range on a "La" vowel all the way to the very top of their range.
2. Vocal Quality: The singer performs a song of their choice a cappella.
3. Intervals: The person conducting the audition plays on a piano or sings twelve different sets of 3-5 note intervals. The singer is asked to mimic these notes and intervals correctly.
4. Ability to Harmonize: The person conducting the audition will play the melody line of a familiar song like "You Are My Sunshine" on the piano. The singer will be asked to woodshed or improvise a harmony part "above" the melody line from start to finish. He will then be asked to improvise a harmony part "below" the melody line from start to finish.  Having all singers able to harmonize is critical as the repertoire and arrangements of the chorus often pass the melody line to the other parts.
5. Rhythm: The person conducting the audition sings or plays on the piano a series of different rhythms. The singer is asked to (sing) mimic each of these rhythms.
6. Sing a Song in a Quartet: The candidate sings a song of his choice (with or without sheet music) from the existing chorus repertoire with three others singers.

Nashville Singers Accepting Applications for our College Internship Program for the Fall of 2011

These are part-time internships of 15 hours/week. 

Fall Positions Open:

1) Marketing Intern
2) Communications Intern
3) Financial Development/Fundraising Intern

Internship Period: Summer (June 6-August 9)

Time Schedule: Flexible scheduling of 15 hours per week or 150 hours total. There is one team meeting per week on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. Internship would be virtual, meaning work from home, but also able to meet in person occasionally with Executive Director at our rehearsal venue, Whitworth Memorial Baptist Church located at 3014 Elm Hill Pike, or some other convenient location.

Qualifications: Intern candidate must have completed a minimum of 64 credit hours; must have maintained a minimum 2.8 GPA; must have completed a selection of courses that introduce students to industry theories so they are prepared for a hands-on experience; Students that have met these requirements are eligible to receive academic credit for an internship. Intern must possess excellent verbal, written and communicative skills; Intern must possess excellent internet research skills; Intern must be proficient in MS Publisher, Adobe, Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Pay Rate: Volunteer for experience and academic credit (if eligible)

Application Deadline: August 10, 2011 

Click HERE to view more information and and application to participate, or contact Executive Director, Todd Wilson at 615-669-8633.   

"The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails." - John Maxwell