Mobile’s Singing Children will be conducting auditions for the 2012-2013 season on the following dates:

• April 28, 2012
• May 5, 2012
• May 19, 2012

Boys and girls entering grades 2 through 12 are invited to audition. To schedule an audition, parents should contact MSC in one of three ways:

• Send an email to mobilesingingchildren@gmail.com.
• Telephone us at 251-285-2285.
• Use the “Contact Us” form on this website.

When contacting us, please include a parent or guardian’s name, phone number, and email address, the child’s name, age and grade, as well as your preferred audition date (4/28, 5/5 or 5/19.)  You will be contacted to schedule a specific audition appointment.

Neither parents or children should find the audition process intimidating.  Below are some FAQ’s about our auditions.

Does my child need to prepare for an audition?

Generally, no.  The audition will be one-on-one with our director, and the singer will not be asked to sing from a stage or audition for a group.

During the audition the potential singer will be asked to perform several exercises which will be used to determine selection for Mobile’s Singing Children.    They will be asked to sing, however it will be something they know, like Happy Birthday or a song from school or church.  The singer will be evaluated for musical ability and potential, as well as for focus and ability to follow and respond to instructions.  Parents should expect the student to make mistakes; part of the process is to evaluate how the child accepts instruction to correct the mistakes.   The student may also be questioned about musical experience.  If the child plays an instrument or has any prior experience, they may be asked questions to determine their knowledge of music theory.

Concert Choir members are almost exclusively chosen from internal auditions.  If a child has prior experience with a classical choral group or private voice training, and would like to audition for immediate placement into the Concert Choir, they should speak with the director prior to their audition.   Additionally, high school students wishing to audition for Encore! should speak with the director prior to the audition.

Is prior musical experience required?

No.  Mobile’s Singing Children consists of four choirs, which allows for an appropriate placement based on multiple criteria, including prior musical experience.  Each spring, singers may audition to be promoted to the next level for the next season.  Most singers spend one or two seasons in each of the training choirs.

The Preparatory Choir is a training choir for those singers who need to develop their musical skills and gain more experience with rehearsal/performance situations. The choir aims to instill good vocal habits and build reading skills in its singers. Unison part singing and music theory class is part of the curriculum.

The Intermezzo Choir is for singers who are more experienced in using their vocal instrument. This choir aims to instill good vocal habits and to continue reading skills in its singers. Two-part and three-part singing is introduced. Music theory class is part of the curriculum.   

The Concert Choir is the Gulf Coast’s premier independent community chorus. This choir is for exceptionally talented young singers in 5th – 12th grade with treble voices. It aims to challenge its members with a wide range of literature and performance experiences. Singers in this choir have demonstrated excellent vocal artistry and musical skill for their age, as well as a fine sense of responsibility and behavior. This choir is the main touring group of Mobile’s Singing Children, and as such members are expected to participate in summer tours, unless excused by the director. 

Encore! is for High School singers with one or more years of experience. Some Encore! singers have been members of Mobile’s Singing Children in another ensemble. Some Encore! singers have no previous MSC experience, but may have trained in a church choir, or school choir, for example.

When are rehearsals?

Preparatory or Intermezzo choir rehearse weekly, on Tuesday’s from 4pm to 6pm.  Rehearsals are held throughout the “school year”.

What happens during a rehearsal?

During the rehearsals singers receive classical voice instruction as well as a 20-30 minute music theory lesson.   Mobile’s Singing Children is committed to teaching proper voice technique, appropriate for a child’s vocal development.  Just as with training on a musical instrument, with a solid vocal foundation, this training is transferable to any type of music a child may wish to sing.  MSC is truly training the singer to use their voice as an instrument.

Our annual “Open House” is the perfect time sit in on a rehearsal and learn more about MSC.  Watch this website, as well as the Mobile Register for our 2012 “Open House” date to be announced.  During the open house,  parents and students can sit in on a rehearsal and theory class, meet singers, and talk to parents about MSC. (Note: all potential singers MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian.)