Auditioning for Solos

Are you interested in singing a solo (or several) from Messiah? Here's what you need to do:

1. Auditions will be during regular rehearsal time on Tuesday, October 23.
2. Look at the list of solos here.
3. Identify which solo or solos you wish to prepare. (See tips on preparing below.)
4. Fill out this form to indicate what you'll be singing on audition day.
5. Note: the deadline by which to indicate your intention is Tuesday, October 16--one week before the audition date.

Tips on preparing solos:

• First, know what you're getting yourself into. If you don't read music and/or don't have a lot of time to prepare, choose one of the short solos.
• I can't use chorus time to coach auditioners. (If you are picked for a solo, there will be some coaching.) So, again, know what you're getting yourself into.
• Use YouTube as a learning tool. Look up your solo there, and listen to help guide your preparation. This is essential if you don't read music.
• Sing your solo for a friend, even if it's with a recording, like those found on YouTube.
• And, finally, not to scare you, but you are not just competing against your classmates. You're also competing against the professional soloists who will be with us for the dress rehearsals and the concert. I don't expect perfection, but I do expect you to take this seriously. In other words,

BE PREPARED!

Agenda for 10/2

What a challenging and rewarding rehearsal last night! We made it through six of the seven choruses, and many of them are quite difficult. But next time we look at them, they'll be easier--and as you get to know them, you'll hear more and more and like them more and more.

Hang in there! This is tough work, but the rewards are really worth it.

Remember, solo information is linked to the right. I'll create an audition signup sheet soon and notify you then. Rather than take on too many solos, I suggest you try to perfect one or two.

Here's the plan:

7-7:15 warmup
15-30 And the Glory: we did up to B yesterday; this week we'll do C to the end
30-50 For unto us: we did F to the end really well. This week we'll do the beginning to F. If there's time, we'll continue to the end.
50-8:05pm Hallelujah: letter C to the end
8:05-10 BREAK
10-30 His Yoke: we did really good work from the beginning to C; this week we'll take C to the end
30-50 And he shall purify: We did B-C. This time we'll take C to the end, but working in reverse order.

Agenda for 9/25

Some of you have been wondering about solos. Click the link to the right or here for information on all of the solos in Messiah. Some are short, some are long. Audition for one, two, or all of them! (or not) It's up to you.

Here's the plan for Tuesday:

7-7:15 warmup
15-30 And the glory: beginning to B, then C-E
30-45 For unto us: F to the end
45-8pm And he shall purify: we did up to B last week; let's do B & E and then review beginning to B
8pm BREAK
8:05-20 read/review O thou (pp. 54-)
20-35 Glory to God: B to the end
35-50 His Yoke: let's review what we did last week: beginning to C

Solos

As I've said in rehearsals, solos are open to anyone in the chorus. (If I can't fill them, our quartet of professional singers will cover them.) If you're interested in a solo, here's the list. I'll be auditioning in mid-October. Try one or try all of them!

Soprano:

• There were shepherds--And lo, p.79
• And the angel--And suddenly, pp.80-81
• Rejoice greatly, p.87
• He shall feed his flock, pp.96-97

Alto:

• But who may abide, p. 27 (this can also be sung by bass)
• Behold! A virgin, p. 47
• O thou that tellest, p. 47
• Then shall the eyes, p.94
• He shall feed his flock, pp.94-95

Tenor:

• Comfort ye, p.7
• Every valley, p. 10

Bass: 

• Thus saith the Lord, p. 24
• But who may abide, p. 27 (this can also be sung by alto)
• For behold, p.60
• The people that walked, p.62

Need help learning these solos or want to hear them to help you make a decision? Go to YouTube and search "Messiah" and the title. There are plenty of interpretations out there!

Agenda for 9/18

Last night was a really good first rehearsal! We are certainly in need of more sopranos and tenors, so please get the word out to your friends and enemies. And don't forget to bring a binder!

Remember: solos are open to all, so look to see what's available. You'll find learning audio files posted to the right ===>>>

As for YouTube, there are a million videos of Messiah out there so simply go to YouTube and search for the title of the movement you wish to hear.

Here's the agenda for next Tuesday:

7-7:15 warmup

15-30 review Hallelujah Chorus (we worked hard up to p. 4 and then read the rest); this week, we'll solidify pp1-6

30-50 O thou that tellest (p. 54)...we'll read the entire movement and do some work on sections

50-8:05 And he shall purify (p.36)...a difficult chorus (many melismas!), we'll begin to read it

5-10 BREAK

10-25 And the glory (p16)...we'll read the entire movement and begin work on it

25-45 His yoke (p98)...we went up to letter A this week. Let's see what you remember, and we'll keep moving forward

45-9pm For unto (p66)...we'll work F to the end