Hawai`i Vocal Arts Ensemble

Audition for Hawai`i Vocal Arts Ensemble

Hawai`i Vocal Arts Ensemble anticipates a limited number of openings for excellent singers to join us for the remainder of our season. Interested individuals should have strong music skills, a clear and flexible voice, and a commitment to making beautiful choral music at the highest professional level. For more information, or to schedule an audition, please call 261-6495 or email maestrotim@aol.com Our mailing address is P.O. Box 93, Kailua, HI 96734.

New Singer Orientation

Welcome

Thank you for your interest in Hawai`i Vocal Arts Ensemble. The following information will help you understand how our organization works. If you have any questions, please let us know.

Hawai`i Vocal Arts Ensemble (HVAE) was founded for the purpose of gathering good singers to perform challenging choral repertoire. HVAE currently serves as the chorus-in-residence at Chaminade University of Honolulu, where most of our rehearsals and concerts take place.

Rehearsals and Time Commitment

We rehearse every Sunday from late August to late June, with additional dress rehearsals on weeknights prior to a concert performance.

HVAE's season consists of four concerts (usually with an evening and a matinee performance), including a weeklong summer festival. Between these major concerts, we often participate in other performances.

Singers are expected to be at every rehearsal for a given production. If you have any schedule conflicts, you should notify your section leader as soon as possible. If a singer misses too many rehearsals before a concert, he or she must attend a make-up rehearsal to ensure that they are properly prepared for the upcoming performance. With this in mind, we expect singers to plan ahead and make firm commitments to each concert of the season.

HVAE occasionally undertakes recording projects. Often the recording sessions take place outside regular rehearsal times, usually weeknights or on the weekend.

How New Singers Join the Chorus

Admission to the chorus is by invitation/audition. We are always eager to hear new singers and hold auditions throughout the year.

Uppermost in our decision to accept new singers are:

The vocal quality of the singer

The needs of the chorus (e.g., which sections need new members)

The singer ideally suited to HVAE will possess:

a voice of good quality, adaptable to ensemble work

the ability to sight read well

an ear for tuning and intonation

an ability to handle different languages

an openness to sing all types of choral music from Renaissance to Jazz

and a personality suited to withstand the barbs of 32 bright, outgoing singers

Several of our singers are professional musicians, and many are university trained musicians and teachers. We also have lawyers, preachers, doctors, and some whose jobs are even more questionable. What we have in common is a desire to make excellent music and have a good time along the way.

Financial Commitment

Although highly selective, HVAE is an amateur chorus. That means no singers are paid for their participation; however, there are also no membership fees. There is a music deposit for each singer of $45, which helps defray lost music costs and is refundable if a singer leaves the group.

Singers are also required to attend our annual fundraiser event, Crescendo! Singers are charged a special discounted rate of $45, which is used to cover the cost of the venue and catering.

Though not required, singers are invited to participate in our donation appeals as they are able.

Rehearsal Location

Regular rehearsals are held in the Ching Conference Center, located in Eiben Hall on the campus of Chaminade University of Honolulu. Rehearsals are scheduled for each Sunday from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Most of our performances are also on the Chaminade campus in the beautiful Mystical Rose Oratory.

Music and Apparel

Each singer is expected to provide his or her own performance attire. For men, concert attire is a black tuxedo with black bow tie and cummerbund. Colored pocket squares will be provided. For women, concert attire is a formal, full-length gown in a bright, jewel tone color. Dresses may be sleeveless, but not strapless.

A more detailed attire policy will be provided. If you have any questions about apparel or where to purchase, ask your section leader or other singers.