Voice and Choir Auditions

University Chorus

This audition is for participation in:

• University Chorus
  

  MUEN 593. Choral Ensembles.

  Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

  Credits: 2

  Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)

  This course is not offered this catalogue year.

  Description

  Students enrolling in Choral Ensembles will be assigned to one of the above groups.

  • 4 hours
  • Prerequisite: Audition.
  • Section 001 Chamber Singers: a group of approximately 24 mixed voices which explores the a cappella repertoire of all periods as well as works with chamber accompaniment.
  • Section 002 Concert Choir: an ensemble of approximately 60 voices (S.A.T.B.) which performs the repertoire from all periods appropriate to a group of this size.
  • Section 003 University Chorus: a mixed chorus of approximately 100 which performs a variety of choral material including both traditional and popular selections.
  • Section 004 Women's Chorale: an ensemble of approximately 40 women stressing the fundamentals of singing and ensemble participation.

  Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

  Launch Visual Schedule Builder
  
  (MONDAY & WEDNESDAY, 9:35AM-11:25AM)

Who is eligible to audition:

• Voice majors should NOT audition - instead, audition for Schulich Singers.
• If you are auditioning for Schulich Singers, do not audition for University Chorus. You will be placed in this ensemble if you are not placed in Schulich Singers.
• This ensemble is open to non-music students.

Audition Instructions:

All students must fill out the choral ensemble placement form.

• Arrive 5 minutes prior to your audition time.
• Sign up for an audition time HERE.

Audition Material: The audition will include singing a short, familiar melody such as Happy Birthday (no need to prepare a song) as well as exercises to determine your vocal range and sight singing skills.

Audition Time/Date:

• Panel: Kody Pisney, Jeffrey Chan, Matthew Boudta and Mattias Lundberg

• Wednesday, August 28: 10:00am-12:00pm & 1:00pm-3:00pm in C-302

  Thursday, August 29: 12:00pm-4:00pm in Clara Hall

  5 minutes per student (individual auditions)

  No accompanist required

If a student auditions for SS, they do NOT need to audition for UC; they will be placed in the ensemble if they aren’t selected for SS.

McGill Camerata

This audition is for participation in:

Who is eligible to audition:

• This ensemble is for non-music students, staff and faculty

Audition Instructions:

All students must fill out the choral ensemble placement form.

• Arrive 5 minutes prior to your audition time.
• Sign up for an audition time HERE.

Audition Material: The audition will include singing a short, familiar melody such as Happy Birthday (no need to prepare a song) as well as exercises to determine your vocal range and sight singing skills.

Audition Time/Date:

• Wednesday, August 28: 6pm-8:30pm in C-201
• Thursday, August 29: 6pm-8:30pm in C-201

5 minutes per student (individual auditions)
No accompanist required

Open Rehearsal:

• Tuesday, September 3: 7pm-9:30pm – room C304

All students, staff, and faculty interested in joining are welcome to attend this open rehearsal. Come and experience the ensemble firsthand, and if you're interested in joining, you can schedule an audition with the instructor at the end of the rehearsal.

Schulich Singers

This audition is for participation in:

• Schulich Singers
  

  MUEN 593. Choral Ensembles.

  Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

  Credits: 2

  Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)

  This course is not offered this catalogue year.

  Description

  Students enrolling in Choral Ensembles will be assigned to one of the above groups.

  • 4 hours
  • Prerequisite: Audition.
  • Section 001 Chamber Singers: a group of approximately 24 mixed voices which explores the a cappella repertoire of all periods as well as works with chamber accompaniment.
  • Section 002 Concert Choir: an ensemble of approximately 60 voices (S.A.T.B.) which performs the repertoire from all periods appropriate to a group of this size.
  • Section 003 University Chorus: a mixed chorus of approximately 100 which performs a variety of choral material including both traditional and popular selections.
  • Section 004 Women's Chorale: an ensemble of approximately 40 women stressing the fundamentals of singing and ensemble participation.

  Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

  Launch Visual Schedule Builder
  
  TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, 9:35AM-11:25AM

Who is eligible to audition:Anyone wishing to participate in the Schulich Singers must audition (even if you are a returning student).

• Voice majors, or those with at least one year of previous choral experience.
• This ensemble is open to Non-Music students with approval from Director of Choral Studies

Audition instructions:

All students must fill out the choral ensemble placement form.

• Arrive 5 minutes prior to your audition time.
• Sign up for an audition time HERE.

General Audition:

• Prepare a short solo musical selection of your choice to showcase your vocal ability and range. An accompanist will be available for your audition. Please ensure to bring a double-sided printed copy of the score placed in a binder for the accompanist. Make sure the score is in the key in which the piece will be performed.

• Choose and prepare one rhythm exercise from Rhythm Exercise #1 or Rhythm Exercise #2. You can speak or clap them.

• Sing major/minor/diminished/augmented triads – starting pitch will be given

Audition time/date:

Panel: JS Vallée

Wednesday, August 28: 10:30am-12:30pm & 1:30pm-4:30pm in Tanna Hall
(Please follow the signs to wait and enter in the back of Tanna Hall. There will be a proctor there to let you in.)

5 minutes per student

Thursday, August 29: 10am-11:25am in C-209

Call back rehearsal – singers will receive an invitation by 5pm on August 28th

Cappella Antica

This audition is for participation in:

• Cappella Antica
  

  MUEN 572. Cappella Antica.

  Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

  Credits: 2

  Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)

  This course is not offered this catalogue year.

  Description

  An ensemble of 8 to 12 voices specializing in early music. N.B. This ensemble may substitute as a Basic Ensemble in programs that specify Choral Ensemble, with Departmental approval.

  • 4 hours
  • Prerequisite: Audition.

  Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

  Launch Visual Schedule Builder

SINGERS: All singers are required to audition this year (even if you have performed in Cappella Antica or EME before).

Who is eligible to audition:

• Voice majors, or those with at least one year of previous choral experience.
• These ensembles are open to non-music students.

All students must fill out the early music ensemble form.

• Arrive 5 minutes prior to your audition time.
• Sign up for an audition time HERE

Audition Material:

• Prepare one selection from the Baroque period or earlier.
• Bring your own accompanist, piano and harpsichord available.
• Sight reading may be given.

Audition Time/Date

• Tuesday, August 27th, 10am-2pm in room C-413 (via signup)

Early Music Ensemble - Voice

This audition is for participation in:

EME (Early Music Ensemble) - Vocal

SINGERS: All singers are required to audition this year (even If you have performed in Cappella Antica  or EME before).

All students must fill out the early music ensemble form.

• Arrive 5 minutes prior to your audition time.
• Sign up for an audition time HERE

Audition Material:

• Prepare one selection from the Baroque period or earlier.
• Bring your own accompanist, piano and harpsichord available.
• Sight reading may be given.

Audition Time/Date

• Tuesday, August 27th, 10am-2pm in room C-413 (via signup)

* Please note you will be able to register for MUEN 580 once you receive the CRN (Course Registration Number) for the small ensemble you have been assigned to. Once you receive your CRN, you will be able to find the correct small ensemble on Minerva so you can register. You must register for the right CRN for your small ensemble before the add/drop deadline. 

Song Interpretation

This audition is for participation in:

• SONG INTERPRETATION 1 & 2 (MUEN 578 & MUEN 579) with Michael McMahon on Fridays.
  

  MUEN 578. Song Interpretation 1.

  Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

  Credits: 1

  Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)

  This course is not offered this catalogue year.

  Description

  Normally open only to Voice and Piano Performance students. Study of the standard song repertoire with emphasis on the singer and pianist as partners. A public recital will be given at the end of each term.

  • 2 hours
  • Prerequisite: Audition.

  Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

  Launch Visual Schedule Builder
  
  

  MUEN 579. Song Interpretation 2.

  Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

  Credits: 1

  Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)

  This course is not offered this catalogue year.

  Description

  Study of song repertoire for singers and pianists.

  Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

  Launch Visual Schedule Builder

These ensembles are not open to Non-Music students.
First Year Undergraduate Students are permitted to audition with permission from the teacher.
 

Audition Instructions:

Sign up for an audition time HERE

• Show up 5 minutes prior to your audition time.

• Singers must provide their own pianist.

Audition Material: Voice: 2 art songs: 1 German Lied and 1 art song of your choice in a contrasting language.

Audition Time/Date:

• Monday, August 26 from 10am-5pm in Redpath Hall
• Tuesday, August 27 from 10am-5pm in Redpath Hall

Opera McGill

Opera McGill auditions are administrated by the Opera Area.

• Please check out our YouTube Channel to see a little bit of what Opera McGill has been up to!
   

Audition Requirements

• You must provide your own accompanist
• Excerpts: Light in the Piazza vocal excerpts

Audition Instructions:

Sign up for an audition HERE

• Show up 5 minutes prior to your audition time.
• Singers must provide their own pianist.

Audition Time / Date

• Monday, August 26 from 10am-6pm in Wirth Opera Studio
• Tuesday, August 27 from 10am-3:30pm in Wirth Opera Studio

If you have any further questions, please email the Opera McGill office at stephen.hargreaves [at] mcgill.ca (Stephen Hargreaves)

Jazz Choir

These auditions are for participation in:

• Jazz Vocal Workshop - MUEN 563 001
  

  MUEN 563. Jazz Vocal Workshop.

  Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

  Credits: 2

  Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)

  This course is not offered this catalogue year.

  Description

  Vocal workshop for jazz musicians.

  Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

  Launch Visual Schedule Builder

Audition Instructions:

• Sign up for an audition HERE

Audition date/time:

• Wednesday, August 28, 2024 in Clara Lichtenstein Hall (C-209) starting at 4:00pm
• Friday, August 30, 2024 in C-302 starting at 12:00pm

Audition Materials:

• A song of your choice, preferably a jazz standard. A selection from outside of the jazz genre may be chosen as long as it exhibits an interesting melody that highlights your range and rhythmic capabilities.
• You may also be asked to sight read one or two short, simple melodies in varying ranges of your voice.

*Previous jazz vocal interpretation/improvising as well as jazz choir (or other) experience is an asset but not a requirement for this ensemble. 

Vocal Chamber Ensemble

This audition is for participation in:

MUEN 553 Vocal Chamber Ensemble (Coordinator: Annamaria Popescu and Sara Laimon)

This ensemble is open to Voice Majors and Pianists.
Vocal duets are welcome

Audition Instructions:

Sign up for an audition time HERE

• Show up 5 minutes prior to your audition time.
• Singers must provide their own pianist.

Audition Material:

• Voice: 2 art songs: 1 German Lied and 1 art song of your choice in a contrasting language

Audition Time/Date: 

• Wednesday, August 28 from 5pm-8:30pm in room C-204