University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Choral Ensembles Audition Information

The UPJ Music Department is committed to offering students a fulfilling choral experience.  The UPJ Music Department intends to have all of their performance ensembles rehearse in-person for the 2023-2024 academic year.  To that end, specific protocols for the ensembles are in place to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all.

Per University policy, students who wish to sing in the choral ensembles are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to be FULLY VACCINATED.  Singing is one of the activities that can lead to super-spreader events.  In conjunction with the University's COVID guidelines, the music department feels this is the most prudent course of action to ensure a successful in-person experience during the academic year.

The audition for the choral ensembles at Pitt-Johnstown is simple and painless.  Auditions will take roughly ten minutes and will consist of the following:

Vocalizing to check range: Simple ascending and descending patterns will be sung to find the upper and lower limits of the signer's vocal range and to see how well the voice transitions through registration changes

Sing the first verse to Amazing Grace: Sheet music for the song can be found with the audition sign up sheet.  Singer will be asked to sing the main melody.  Singers may also be asked to sing the song multiple times in different keys.

Pitch-Matching: Singers will be played a number of four-note patterns and will be asked to sing them back to director.  

Sight-Reading: Not everyone reads music (nor is it a pre-requisite to gaining entrance to the choirs) but it is a useful skill for the director to know about.  Singer will be asked to read a small piece of music, doing their best not to stop.  Director is more concerned about what singer is doing correctly during this part of the audition as compared to counting mistakes

Auditions for the fall term will take place on the following days:

OPEN HOUSE: Wednesday, January 10 at 4:30pm in 240 Biddle Hall

AUDITIONS: Thursday, January 11 from 2:00pm-5:00pm

AUDITIONS: Friday, January 12 from 10am-noon and 1-3pm

BOTH NEW AND RETURNING STUDENTS must fill out the information form.  ONLY NEW STUDENTS need to sign the audition sign-up sheet.  The links are below.

UPJ Choral Ensembles Audition Form and Amazing Grace pdf

Audition Time Sign Up Sheet 

Auditions will be held in 233A Biddle Hall (Prof. Webb's office).  Additional questions about the audition/vocal check process can be emailed to Prof. Webb at jeffwebb@pitt.edu