Auditions & Applications

Participation in Gondwana national Choral School is based on an annual application and audition process and is open to young people aged 10 – 25 from all over Australia. Nationwide auditions are held in late September / early October each year. Auditions will be granted for all applications received and are designed to give applicants a chance to demonstrate their singing ability and other musical skills. Everyone has strengths in different areas and we recognise this in the audition process. For entry into Gondwana Chorale or Gondwana Voices, a high standard of aural skills and sight singing is expected.

How to apply

1) Complete the application form (this can be downloaded from our website) and attach a recent passport photo of yourself.

2) On One separate A4 piece of paper please outline your previous musical experience (choral, instrumental, composing, conducting as applicable) including instrument(s) played and AMeB grade(s) or approximate levels as well as AMeB musicianship or theory grade (or approximate level).

3) Obtain a written recommendation from someone qualified to comment on your musical ability (e.g. current music teacher, school Principal, university music lecturer or choir conductor but not a family member). referees preparing more than one reference are invited to write a joint reference with a paragraph on each applicant.

4) Pay the non-refundable application fee of $50 (GST not applicable) by cheque or Australia Post money order (payable to Gondwana Choirs).

5) Send all the above documents to: Gondwana national Choirs Auditions, Pier 4 Hickson road, Millers Point nSW, 2000. All applications must be received no later than Monday 22 August 2011.

6) if you are applying for an audiovisual audition, please tick the box indicating this on the application form.

7) Conductor intern applicants should include a separate letter addressed to the selection panel outlining why they should be considered. Composer School applicants should submit an example of their composing written in the last 12 months.

Audition process (Singers and Conductors)

1) Sing one song (preferably by an Australian composer) from memory. This song may be performed with or without live accompaniment (if required applicants need to provide their own accompanist - no CD / cassette accompaniment permitted).

2) Take an aural test including melodic memory, part-singing and sight-singing.

3) Conductors may choose to play an instrumental solo (rather than sing) and will undertake a short interview. Further information on the audition process can be downloaded from our website: www.gondwanachoirs.com.au.  Successful applicants to National Choral School will be offered a position in the choir most suited to their voice type, age and musical development.

Audition schedule for 2012 Season

Face-to-face auditions will be held as indicated in late September/ October 2011 (additional dates may also be added). Applicants will be notified by mail of the exact date, time and venue of their audition.

Saturday 24 September and Sunday 25 September: Sydney

Tuesday 27 October: Armidale

Sunday 2 October: Rockhampton

Monday 3 October: Cairns

Thursday 6 October: Perth

Sunday 9 October: Melbourne

Wednesday 12 October: Canberra

Saturday 15 October and Sunday 16 October: Sydney (Sydney Children’s Choir choristers only)

 

Prepare for your auditions with the aid of the audition tests from 2011

Tenor/Bass Practise Audition pg 1-2

Tenor/Bass Practise Audition p 3

Treble Practise Audition p 1-2

Treble Practise Audition p 3

Applicants from isolated/remote areas

Audiovisual auditions are accepted from applicants living further than 200kms away from any of the audition cities. Information explaining how to submit your audition will be sent to you. Please note that audiovisual applications on VHS will not be accepted.

Bursaries

 

One of Gondwana Choirs' core values is 'Accessibility', and we want to ensure that no suitably talented young person is excluded from our programs due to financial or geographic barriers. For more information on obtaining a bursary see 'financial Assistance', and to support our Bursary Program please email clare@gondwanachoirs.com.au or call on (02) 8274 7010.