The Vermont Symphony Orchestra Chorus will be holding auditions (especially for baritones and basses) at Christ Church, Montpelier on Saturday, March 18. Join the chorus for a rehearsal from 1-4pm, then stay to audition at 4:00pm. No music needs to be prepared in advance; just come and sing! For more information, or to reserve an audition slot, please email the Wendy Grace, VSOC Coordinator at vso.chorus@gmail.com.

Village Harmony
2017 Summer Camps
Larry Gordon, director
Our internationally-renowned US world music summer camps just for teens, just for adults and for mixed-age ensembles this year will take place in New England, the Midwest, the Oregon Cascades, Lithuania, the Republic of Georgia and South Africa.
View and download our 4-page pdf camp brochure here.
Or just go directly to our online registration site to apply.

Vermont Symphony Orchestra Chorus
Open House
at
Elley-long Music center
223 ETHAN ALLEN DRIVE, COLCHESTER
Sat., October 22, 2016
1-4 pm
 Come meet VSO Chorus’ conductor for a fun afternoon of choral singing,
food and fellowship
 For those interested in joining the chorus for the Holidays concert,
group auditions will be offered at the end of rehearsal

Contact Wendy Grace, vso.chorus@gmail.com

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra Chorus offers a $500 scholarship to undergraduates pursuing a degree in choral or vocal music. Applicants eligible to apply include undergraduate college students and college aged private voice students whose primary residence is in the general geographical performance area of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Chorus. Applicants must demonstrate accomplishment in both vocal music and academic studies. It is a requirement that the applicant will pursue a primary or secondary degree in vocal or choral studies at an accredited college or university in order to qualify for this scholarship. Other music majors with appropriate voice training might be considered.  Scholarship selection will be administered by a Scholarship Committee including the VSO Chorus director. This committee may also include appointed members from the general Chorus membership.

Written applications (click vsocscholarshipapplicationrev-9-23-16 to download application as a Word Doc) will be the initial method to screen applicants. Finalists that emerge from this process will be asked to appear before the Chorus Director to discuss in more detail the written application, answer questions from the Committee, and provide a short audition to demonstrate vocal musicianship.

The winner of this scholarship must be willing to participate in the earliest VSOC concert service following the application deadline thereby earning not only financial support but the practical experience of working with a professional symphony chorus. Some leadership work may be requested from the scholarship students, such as conducting warm ups, assisting the conductor with sectional rehearsals, assisting the chorus coordinator, etc. Winning candidates will be expected to attend rehearsals well-prepared, studying the music and learning their parts in advance.

The VSO Chorus Scholarship will be delivered directly to the student for the next full semester with a stipulation that the scholarship be used for the pursuit of the recipient’s higher education, including tuition, books, and other music-related educational expenses.

Written Application Deadline for Winter or Spring 2017: October 14, 2016;

Audition Date: October 22, 2016

Performance Service: Fall 2016 rehearsals and Holiday Pops concerts December 9-11, 2016

SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS:

PURPOSE: To assist students pursuing a primary or secondary degree in vocal or choral music at the college or university level while offering an opportunity to gain practical choral experience as a member of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Chorus.

AWARD: $500.00

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must be:

• An undergraduate college student in the spring semester of 2017.
• Pursuing a degree in vocal or choral music.
• Prior scholarship recipients are eligible to apply.

APPLICATION DETAILS: The winning candidate will complete the following:

• submit the attached application,
• interview and audition with the Chorus Director,
• participate in the current concert service involving the VSO Chorus.

NOTE: Application deadline is October 14, 2016. The audition will be held at the first chorus rehearsal on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Elley Long Music Center in Colchester. The winning candidate will receive notification to appear for audition at least ten (10) days in advance of the vocal audition. Selection of the winner(s) will be based upon the student’s goals for post-secondary education, recommendations, and scholastic achievement. Proof of acceptance at an accredited college or university is required prior to funding this award.

New students are still welcome to join the Vermont Youth Chorus and Chorale! All students in grades 6-12 are invited to join. No audition is necessary. Chorus and Chorale is a great opportunity to develop both the voice and aural skills while having fun and making new friends. Chorus and Chorale give performances at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, the Elley-Long Music Center and presents community outreach events in schools and various locations throughout northern Vermont.

The Vermont Youth Chorus, conducted by Caleb Pillsbury, performs masterpieces of the choral repertoire and provides students an extracurricular community choral opportunity complementary to their school vocal programs. Throughout the season, students will receive private lessons and participate in sectionals with master vocal coaches from our region. Students entering grades 8-12 are eligible to participate in the Vermont Youth Chorus and 2017 Tour of England. Chorus rehearsals take place Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 pm starting Tuesday, September 13th.

The Vermont Youth Chorale, conducted by Heather Schoppmann, provides a strong foundation for vocal development and choral musicianship. Along with rehearsing music for performances, students work on sight reading and musicianship, and receive individual instruction from master vocal coaches. Students entering grades 6 & 7 are eligible to participate in the Vermont Youth Chorale. Chorale rehearsals take place Tuesday evenings from 4:30 to 6:00 pm.

Please email art @ vyo.org with any questions about joining our Choral program.

Tenors and baritone/basses interested in joining the Vermont Choral Union are welcome to rehearse with us on Monday evening, August 29. We sing at St. James Episcopal in Essex Junction, at the entrance to Fairgrounds Gate F off Route 2A north of the five corners.

We have openings for a baritione (who can also hit those low bass notes when needed), and for both first and second tenors.  Come experience a VCU rehearsal, as we begin to sing our Fall 2016 repertoire, ranging from medieval songs to contemporary works on the theme Behold, a mystery.

The Choral Union numbers 36-40 singers, and explores ten centuries of a cappella repertoire. It presents concerts in May and April/May each year.

For more information, contact Jeff Rehbach, director, 802.989.7355 or director @ vtchoralunion.org, and visit www.vtchoralunion.org.