Historic Schola Cantorum Silicon Valley welcomes new singers for its 60th season!
Schola Cantorum will next welcome new singers in August 2024, with specific dates to be announced in early August. Interested singers are invited to complete this online form and attend an open rehearsal to meet members of the choir and experience the joy and energy of Schola Cantorum. Singers who are interested in joining will then be invited to schedule a one-on-one vocal interview/audition with the Artistic Director.
Vocal interviews include scales, pitch-matching, sight-reading exercises, and a one-minute unaccompanied excerpt of a song. An aria, art song, folksong, or musical theater selection is preferred and it does not need to be memorized. Here is a short video where our Artistic Director, Buddy James, discusses the audition process.
Singers will be notified of the outcome of their auditions prior to the second rehearsal. Singers who successfully pass their vocal interview will be invited to an information session an hour prior to the second rehearsal.
It’s fun, and a great learning experience! You’ll share in the joy of singing a wide range of musical genres. Schola Cantorum’s past concerts have included masterworks, jazz, swing, gospel, spirituals, contemporary music, and international compositions, and we continue to explore new musical avenues.
You’ll make friends. Every singer in Schola Cantorum shares a love of music, but also brings a rich tapestry of other interests. Many singers have formed lasting friendships in Schola that have kept them returning to the group for years.
You’ll support and experience the wide range of arts in Silicon Valley. Schola Cantorum frequently partners with a variety of groups to incorporate instrumental music, dance, visual art, and poetry into our performances. We’re proud to sponsor a poetry contest for high school students in which the winning entry is set to an original composition and performed during our spring concert.
Who sings in Schola Cantorum?
Schola Cantorum aspires to be as diverse as Silicon Valley. Our ranks include working professionals, artists, entrepreneurs, retirees, and college students. Schola Cantorum is a supportive and inclusive ensemble that welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, orientations, and backgrounds.
When and where are rehearsals?
Weekly rehearsals are held on Monday evenings from 7:30 to approximately 10:00 pm at the Los Altos United Methodist Church. There are also one or two additional rehearsals during the week immediately preceding a concert, which will be announced as the concert approaches, as well as one or two Saturday retreats, usually in September and February.
How often does Schola perform?
Schola performs four full concerts each year and gives one or two performances of each concert. Typically, we sing a concert at the end of October/beginning of November, a holiday concert in mid-December, a concert at the beginning of March, and a final concert towards the end of May or early June.
Where does Schola Cantorum perform?
We usually perform in the northern part of Santa Clara County (such as Palo Alto and Los Altos), with occasional performances elsewhere in the Bay Area. Past venues have included Stanford Memorial Church, Mission Santa Clara, and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph in San Jose.
Are there other opportunities to make music, such as small groups and solos?
In addition to our performances, singers are invited to join us for our annual Messiah Sing, the longest-running Messiah Sing in the Bay Area; our Summer Sings and community sing-alongs; and Outreach concerts for schools and civic events, which often involve small groups. Our regular repertoire frequently offers opportunities for solos from within the group.
What precautions are being taken to addresss risks related to COVID-19?
Schola Cantorum is very concerned about the welfare of its members and its audience. We are following all local, state, and federal guidelines regarding singing and performing and are prepared to adapt quickly to any changes in order to ensure the safety of all involved. You can read Schola’s current policy on COVID-19 precautions and Air Quality Index (AQI) levels here.
I get really nervous at auditions. Will this be a problem?
We strive to make everyone feel comfortable and supported. See the short video above where our Artistic Director, Buddy James, discusses the audition process.
I don’t read music well. Should I still audition?
Schola Cantorum singers come with diverse experiences and backgrounds. Some have beautiful voices yet struggle to read music. Schola Cantorum provides support in the form of recordings and MIDI tracks to help singers learn their music and their pronunciations outside of rehearsal, and also helps with the learning process in sectionals, which are scheduled as needed. Regularly rehearsing with Schola Canotorum is a great way to improve your musical skills!.
I haven’t sung in a choir for many years. Should I still audition?
Absolutely! Joining a choir is a great way to get back to singing regularly.
What are the participation expectations for singers?
Singers are expected to participate in all rehearsals and all performances for the year. We understand that illness or conflicts sometimes make participation impossible, but such cases should be rare. Singers will have the opportunity to disclose conflicts when concert dates are announced at the beginning of each season.
How much does it cost to sing in Schola Cantorum?
As a 501(c)(3) organization, member donations are important to help us grow and thrive. The suggested donation for the opportunity to sing in Schola Cantorum is $350 per singer for the year. We strive for donations from 100% of our membership, but no singer is ever turned away for lack of funds.
What do we wear when we perform?
The standard performing attire is black dress pants and black button down dress shirt, or a floor length black dress. Singers are expected to purchase their own concert attire, but again, no singer is ever turned away for lack of funds.
How often will I need to re-audition?
To maintain the musical standards of the chorus, all singers will be asked to sing privately for the Artistic Director every few years.
If you have any further questions about joining Schola Cantorum, please call our office at (650) 254-1700 or send an email to info@scholacantorum.org.