Membership and Auditions
Maryland Choral Society members consist of auditioned and dedicated volunteer choral music enthusiasts from the Washington DC metropolitan area. Many Society members are trained or professional musicians and music educators; some are talented and hardworking amateurs. We actively seek out experienced choral musicians throughout the year to participate in our performing season and to enjoy the Society's social and fundraising activities.
This page contains answers to frequently asked questions about joining MCS, as well as a way to contact the Artistic Director with additional questions and to schedule an audition.
WHEN AND WHERE Does THE MARYLAND CHORAL SOCIETY REHEARSE?
The Maryland Choral Society rehearses weekly on Monday evenings from 7:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at:
Bethany Christian Church
7128 Allentown Road
Fort Washington, MD 20744
(for directions, please click on the map on the right)
Rehearsals for each concert season begin the first Monday following Labor Day and run through April of the following year.
WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS FOR MCS MEMBERS?
Render dues.
Purchase music scores (typically $40 or less per season).
Own/purchase performance attire (tuxedos for men, all black attire for women).
Learn the assigned music for each rehearsal ahead of time with the aid of materials provided on the MCS website.
Participate in fundraising activities.
Adhere to attendance policy.
Maintain an email account and check it regularly .
HOW MAY I AUDITION TO BECOME A PERFORMING MEMBER?
Auditions for new singers are held principally in the months of September, January, and March, though an audition may be requested throughout the year to ensure a spot in the next concert or season.
Auditions consist of meeting with the Artistic Director, who will:
Inquire about your participation in choral performance in the past
Check your range, evaluate your voice type, and listen for beauty of tone
Offer simple advice on singing
Ask you to sing a prepared piece of choral music that will be sent out to you ahead of time and learned with the aid of materials provided to you via the web. Sight reading is not evaluated at the audition. Rather, demonstrating the ability to learn music on your own with the aid of rehearsal tracks/videos (as needed) is more important to the process.