ACDA Honors Choirs

The Honors Choirs are a one-day event where singers from all over the state send in an audition recording. Selected singers register and receive the music in advance, prepare it on their own, and participate in a day-long festival and final performance. All information is available through ACDA of Minnesota's website. This landing page is provided as a source for information as it applies to YCCM.

There are three Honors Choirs days for different trade levels:

  • 9-10: Saturday, February 13; Prior Lake High School; Concert Times TBD
  • 4-5-6: Saturday, April 3; St. Michael-Albertville High School; 5:15 PM Concert
  • 7-8: Saturday, April 10; St. Michael-Albertville High School; 5:30 PM Concert

9-10 Honors Choirs - Saturday, February 13th - Prior Lake High School

Step One - Register and Prepare

  1. Register here by October 5
  2. PREPARE SCALE: Sing a one octave major scale UNACCOMPANIED in the key assigned to your voice part; using solfege syllables sing up the scale, take a breath, repeat high Do, and return back down. Tempo: 75-85 bpm
    • Sop. 1 – G (**song key is different)
    • ‍Sop. 2 – F (**song key is different)
    • ‍Alto 1 – D
    • Alto 2 – Bb
    • Tenor 1 – E or F
    • Tenor 2 – D or Eb
    • Baritone – C or D
    • Bass – Ab or A
  3. PREPARE SONG: Sing “Down By the Salley Gardens” UNACCOMPANIED in the key assigned to your voice part.Tempo: 85-95 bpm
    • Sop. 1 – F (**scale key is different)
    • ‍Sop. 2 – Eb (**scale key is different)‍
    • Alto 1 – DAlto 2 – Bb
    • Tenor 1 – E or F
    • Tenor 2 – D or Eb
    • Baritone – C or D
    • Bass – Ab or A
  4. HERE IS A FOLDER WITH PRINTED MUSIC AND HELPFUL INFORMATION!
  5. Record the audition at home using these instructions (and email to Mr. Lathe) *note: you do not have to convert file to .mp3 OR
  6. Sign up for an audition time on October 11 or 18 (link available soon)

Step Two - register and practice if selected!

  1. Audition results will be sent out sometime after November 4.
  2. If accepted, you will receive a registration link and scholarship application information
  3. If accepted, you will receive music to practice on your own (with recordings)
  4. November 18 - Scholarships applications due
  5. December 4 - Registration and payment due

Step Three - attend the festival and concert!

Singers are usually dropped off around 9 am. Parents are free for the day. One concert ticket it is provided with registration, and more are available at the door.