Audition & Participation Information
Auditions determine placement for the choir Fall through Spring. The Choir director will be listening to the following:
Tone quality of the voice - Pitch matching - Tonal Memory - Ear training - Sight-reading
The Directors will also take into consideration Behavior/Attitude, Attendance, and Grades (due to the choir’s participation in outside activities and trips) before finalizing any decision.
Qualities of a Portland State Choir Member
- Demonstrates positive, respectful behavior in ALL classes and school related activities
- Maintains academic excellence (passing grades) in ALL classes at all times. Poor grades could result in demotion in Choir or removal from the program altogether.
- Attendance at the prescribed choir retreat(s), performances, and rehearsals are MANDATORY for participation in ensembles. Additional mandatory rehearsals will be announced at least two weeks in advance.
This is the right ensemble for highly motivated students who want to spend a significant portion of their time making music in choir at the highest level.
Audition Dates
There are no audition spots available at this time. More information will be available in spring term 2027.
How to Sign Up
Students must contact Professor Sperry (esperry@pdx.edu) to sign up for an audition.
Audition Location
LH 239A
Audition Details
The primary focus of the audition will be sight-reading and ear-training skills. Students should be prepared to sing 60 seconds of a song of their choice a cappella (no piano or other accompaniment). Any genre of music is fine. Pick something that shows your voice at its best. There will also be a variety of scales and vocal warm-ups to test vocal range.
Notification Process
After the first-round audition, students will be notified by email whether or not they will be invited to a callback audition, which occurs on the first Wednesday in June. Students will again be notified by email about the results of the callback.
Program Requirements
Three weekly rehearsals MWF 1:30-3:00 pm plus 2-3 concert weekends per academic quarter. The group also has an intense Chamber Choir camp for two weeks prior to the beginning of classes in the Fall. There are often international tours in the Summer which are optional.
Course Registration
Register after a successful audition for the appropriate courses listed below.
| Level | Course Number | CRN |
Undergraduate
(non-music majors and first and second year music majors) | MUS 197 - CHAMBER | 42299 |
Undergraduate
(upper division music majors) | MUS 397 - CHAMBER | 42368 |
Graduate
(graduate students) | MUS 597 - CHAMBER | 42446 |