New Member Auditions

Auditions for the 2008-2009 concert season will be held on May 10, 2008.  Auditions last ten minutes long, and are scheduled by appointment only. 

Move Up Auditions

Move up auditions are for singers currently singing with NCAS, and wish to audition for a different choir.   Perfect for the singer looking to enter another NCAS choir due to age/grade change for the fall.  Beginning at the 5th grade level, many choirs overlap, and several options are presented for signers looking for a different challenge.  Please read below for the descriptions of the choirs.  Move Up Auditions will be held May 3 for Bel Canto, Cantori, and CAST.   Auditions last ten minutes long, and are scheduled by appointment only.

The Audition Process
Singers will be asked to sing a prepared piece at the beginning of their audition.  The conductors use this piece as a demonstration of what the singer thinks is "prepared", as well as to determine confidence, overall strength of the voice, and tone.  After you have sung your prepared piece, the panel of conductors will lead you through a series of vocal exercises to determine tone, range, sight-reading ability, ability to hold your own part in two-part singing, etc. Please be prepared to sing "Are You Sleeping" for the audition.  They will then ask you to leave the room as they discuss your future with NCAS.

Singers will find out immediately after the audition whether or not they have made it into the organization.  If they have made it, the conductors will then determine which choir is the best fit for your voice.  Many of our choirs overlap in age level and ability level, and the audition process is used to determine which choir would best suit your singer.

Tuition and Fees
Tuition for NCAS choirs ranges from $275 to $550 depending on the choir.  Masterworks singers pay annual dues of $75.  All singers are also required to purchase two season tickets, at $35-$40 each. 

Financial Aid is available to all singers.  This can cover all tuition costs except for a $75 deposit and the cost of two season tickets. 

The cost of tuition does not include uniforms or tour.  Uniforms are purchased through Dennis Uniform, and are approximately $100 new.  Used uniforms are available for half price at the NCAS offices.  Tour costs vary depending on location and length of travel. 

Rehearsal Times and Locations
Masterworks is an auditioned, adult, mixed chorus.  Masterworks rehearses on Monday evenings at Countryside Community Church.

CAST is an acronym for Choral Arts Society Teens. It is made up of teenagers in grades 9 through 12, and features advanced harmony and innovative repertoire. CAST rehearses Monday evenings at Faith Westwood Church.

Bel Canto, “beautiful singing” in Italian, is the most musically advanced choir within NCC. Bel Canto rehearses Saturday mornings at UNO and Tuesday evenings at Faithful Shepherd Presbyterian Church.

Cantori, “singers” in Italian, is an advanced-level choir comprised of youth in grades 5 through 10. Cantori rehearses Saturday mornings at UNO.

Camerata, interpreted as “choir” from Olde English/Italian, is an intermediate-level choir which includes singers from grades 5 through 7. Camerata meets weekly on Monday evenings at St. Michael Lutheran Church.