Upcoming Auditions:
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Auditions will be held Thursday, September 16th, from around 6:00PM – 9:00PM at the University of Hawaii Music Department, Room 36. Interested singers must fill out the Audition Inquiry Form to schedule an audition. After you submit the form, someone will reach out to schedule an audition time, and will send you an audition application, which you must fill out and bring with you to the audition.
Any singer who is 18 years of age or has graduated from High School may audition. Auditions include singing an art song, aria or hymn of your choosing (memorized optional). In addition to singing a selected piece, singers will be assessed on their musicality through vocalization, sight singing, and pitch retention. Please bring 2 copies of sheet music; an accompanist will be provided. If you have a passion for choral music and want to work with Hawai`i's only semi-professional choir, this is a perfect opportunity. |
Requirements for Singers
Acceptance into the O'ahu Choral Society (OCS) is by audition. Chorus members agree to abide by a set of requirements designed to support the goal of providing professional-quality musical performances in the state of Hawaiʻi.
Health & Safety
Under current guidance from the CDC and DOH, O'ahu Choral Society is requiring all singers for the 21-22 season to be fully vaccinated, with no exceptions. Any current members who are not vaccinated can still hold membership with the organization, and are welcome to return to in-person singing if/when our policy is updated as conditions and guidance change.
Fully vaccinated:
Dues
Dues for OCS are $250 per year ($125 for the 2021-2022 season ONLY). Scholarships may be available at the discretion of Executive and Artistic Directors. Membership dues are waived for students.
Attendance
Attendance is expected at all rehearsals and public performances. Schedules will be published at the start of each season, and members are expected to plan their schedule accordingly. Participation is expected throughout the entire season, usually August through May. As choral singing is a group sport, we need all members in attendance to build our musicianship and performance skills together.
Multiple unexcused absences will put your membership in OCS under review. If an absence is anticipated, the Section Leader must be notified as much in advance as possible. If an absence is necessary without advance notice, the Section Leader must be advised either by leaving a voice message or sending an email prior to the start of the rehearsal that will be missed.
Multiple absences within a concert cycle may lead to a singer not being able to perform in the performance for that cycle. The Artistic Director has the right to preclude any under-prepared member from singing in an upcoming performance.
Music Scores
Music will be made available to members at the beginning of the first rehearsal for each piece. Occasionally, it will be possible for members to purchase the music. Where music is loaned to members, it is to be returned to the Librarian no later than the first rehearsal following a performance. A member who loses a score or fails to return it will be assessed the replacement cost.
You may, and should, mark your scores with pencil during rehearsals to reflect what is being sung and directed. Bring a pencil to each rehearsal and use it freely. Have an eraser as well to properly reflect any changes made.
Rehearsal Decorum
Members are expected to arrive sufficiently early so as to be in their seats, ready to sing when the rehearsal commences. All members are expected to have their music, a pencil, and a reusable water bottle at each rehearsal. No extraneous talking during rehearsals - while we appreciate that we all want to connect and build community, please do so during breaks and before and after rehearsal.
Concert Decorum
Concert standard dress is required. No flowers, distracting jewelry or scented hair spray, lotion or perfume are to be worn by men or women.
Your Questions or Concerns
Each of the four voice sections has a section leader. Singers who have any chorus-related question that is not addressed in the weekly newsletter should first contact their section leader.
Any questions regarding an administrative matter may be addressed to any member of the Oʻahu Choral Society's Board of Directors. Board meetings are generally held once each month and every singer is invited to attend those meetings. Notices of board meetings are placed in the weekly member newsletter.
Health & Safety
Under current guidance from the CDC and DOH, O'ahu Choral Society is requiring all singers for the 21-22 season to be fully vaccinated, with no exceptions. Any current members who are not vaccinated can still hold membership with the organization, and are welcome to return to in-person singing if/when our policy is updated as conditions and guidance change.
Fully vaccinated:
- 14 days past the second dose of Pfizer/Moderna or the single dose J&J, AND
- Boosted if your vaccination is greater than 5 months ago for Pfizer/Moderns or two months ago for J&J
Dues
Dues for OCS are $250 per year ($125 for the 2021-2022 season ONLY). Scholarships may be available at the discretion of Executive and Artistic Directors. Membership dues are waived for students.
Attendance
Attendance is expected at all rehearsals and public performances. Schedules will be published at the start of each season, and members are expected to plan their schedule accordingly. Participation is expected throughout the entire season, usually August through May. As choral singing is a group sport, we need all members in attendance to build our musicianship and performance skills together.
Multiple unexcused absences will put your membership in OCS under review. If an absence is anticipated, the Section Leader must be notified as much in advance as possible. If an absence is necessary without advance notice, the Section Leader must be advised either by leaving a voice message or sending an email prior to the start of the rehearsal that will be missed.
Multiple absences within a concert cycle may lead to a singer not being able to perform in the performance for that cycle. The Artistic Director has the right to preclude any under-prepared member from singing in an upcoming performance.
Music Scores
Music will be made available to members at the beginning of the first rehearsal for each piece. Occasionally, it will be possible for members to purchase the music. Where music is loaned to members, it is to be returned to the Librarian no later than the first rehearsal following a performance. A member who loses a score or fails to return it will be assessed the replacement cost.
You may, and should, mark your scores with pencil during rehearsals to reflect what is being sung and directed. Bring a pencil to each rehearsal and use it freely. Have an eraser as well to properly reflect any changes made.
Rehearsal Decorum
Members are expected to arrive sufficiently early so as to be in their seats, ready to sing when the rehearsal commences. All members are expected to have their music, a pencil, and a reusable water bottle at each rehearsal. No extraneous talking during rehearsals - while we appreciate that we all want to connect and build community, please do so during breaks and before and after rehearsal.
Concert Decorum
Concert standard dress is required. No flowers, distracting jewelry or scented hair spray, lotion or perfume are to be worn by men or women.
- Women are to wear the authorized black concert uniform, sold to members at cost, with black stockings and close-toed shoes.
- Men are to wear a long sleeved white dress shirt, black bow tie, tuxedo or black dress pants and jacket, black shoes and socks.
Your Questions or Concerns
Each of the four voice sections has a section leader. Singers who have any chorus-related question that is not addressed in the weekly newsletter should first contact their section leader.
Any questions regarding an administrative matter may be addressed to any member of the Oʻahu Choral Society's Board of Directors. Board meetings are generally held once each month and every singer is invited to attend those meetings. Notices of board meetings are placed in the weekly member newsletter.
