Audition

Audition Information

Auditions for the 2023-24 Season will open soon! In the meantime, sign up to be informed when auditions open up.

Auditions are currently by appointment only.

For high school singers, the audition will include:

  • Sing a familiar song (My Country 'Tis Of Thee or Happy Birthday - unaccompanied)
  • Scale
  • Vocal Range
  • Sight Reading (melody and rhythm)
  • Tonal Memory

For elementary and middle singers, the audition will include:

  • Sing a familiar song
  • Sing a round

Sign up to hear more about auditions!

We will send you information when auditions open up.

sign up for further audition info >

Youth Chorale FAQ

Where does YCCM rehearse and for how long?

The two high school ensembles (Cantanti and Con Brio), rehearse two hours each week on the campus of St. John’s University. Rehearsals run from 6:00-8:10 on Sunday evenings. An additional small ensemble, Chamber Singers, is selected in the fall and meets before the main rehearsal periodically throughout the year.

The two middle school and elementary choirs in the Cantabile Program (Choristers and Cantabile Signers) rehearse at an area school on Monday evenings (currently Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle Schools). Choristers rehearse from 6:00-7:15 and Cantabile Singers rehearse from 6:00-8:00.

The season for all choirs runs from September to May.

What are the requirements for YCCM?

An audition is required for entry into the YCCM program. Singers at all levels are encouraged to take advantage of their school's choral programs. High School singers are required to be enrolled in their local high school choirs. Because each choir rehearses for only two hours per week, YCCM cannot be a singer's sole source of vocal music education. Rare exceptions are made for home school students and those enrolled in Post-Secondary Education Option who cannot feasibly join their high school or college choir.

How many concerts per year does YCCM perform?

Each choir performs betwen 5 and 8 times per year. Performances range from formal concerts to casual school tour performances.

What kinds of music do YCCM choirs sing?

The Youth Chorale performs a diverse range of choral music from masterworks to gospel to pop, and commissions new music every year.

What is the monetary commitment?

Youth Chorale of Central Minnesota families participate in a fair share program. Rather than being charged a set fee, families are shown the expense involved to make the program successful, and are asked to make a pledge for the year. Your pledge helps cover the cost of music, folders, concert attire, staff, overnight stays, insurance, facility rental, and office expenses. This season, YCCM operational costs divided by the number of singers is $1,287, and the suggested minimum fair share amount families were asked to give this season was $625. Some families pay the full amount, most give the minimum amount, and some give less or none, all based on their circumstance. The great thing about YCCM’s Parent Pledge/Fair Share program is that families can pay according to their financial ability, thereby avoiding a cumbersome scholarship process. As an additional benefit, parents may count the pledge as a charitable contribution. Singers are accepted into YCCM based on their vocal abilities, and no singer who earns a position is turned away.

Where Can I hear YCCM?

The best place to hear YCCM is in concert! Search our Events Page during our regular season. You can also hear the Youth Chorale on our YouTube Channel, on Facebook, or any music streaming service.

What do I do next?

Sign up to hear when audition open! When auditions are open, you will be able to register and select a time that is convenient for you

For your reference, here is information from last year: