February 22-25, 2023 Cincinnati, OH
Jared Berry, Honor Choir Chair
Elementary Honor Choir | Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, Conductor
Eligibility for audition
- Singers who will be in grades 4, 5, or 6 in February 2023 may apply
- Singers who are in the 6th grade and wish to apply for the Junior High/Middle School Choir must submit a separate application and pay the additional fee. Please note, auditioning for both ensembles has no bearing on admission to either ensemble.
- Application (through Submittable) deadline is September 29, 2022 at 11:59PM CST.
- Singers must be members in good standing of their sponsoring musical organizations
- This choir will be for unchanged voices
- Application fee of $30
Registration fees and costs: Accepted singers are responsible for all of the following
- Registration/participation fee of $350
- This fee covers two (2) meals each day on Thursday and Friday, and breakfast on Saturday, as well as the costs of the honor choir.
- This fee does NOT include hotel accommodations. Participating singers and their parent(s) or parent-appointed chaperones will be responsible for arranging and paying for their accommodations. A link will be provided after students are accepted to make reservations at a conference rate in designated hotels.
- Personal transportation to and from Cincinnati, OH.
- Scholarships are available and financial need will have no impact on the audition outcome.
Expectations of accepted singers
- Accepted singers must be in attendance at all scheduled rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances.
- Singers must be well-prepared on all music prior to arrival. Re-auditions will take place before the first rehearsal on Wednesday, February 22. Singers who are not prepared will not be allowed to participate in the honor choir.
- Singers are expected to abide by all ACDA Honor Choir policies. If rules are broken, singers will be sent home at their personal expense.
- Singers are expected to abide by the ACDA National Conference COVID-19 Guidance
Communication
- All information regarding the Honor Choir experience will be communicated through the ACDA Sponsor. Singers should check regularly with the sponsor and on the Honor Choir Announcement webpage (www.acda.org) for updated information. Singers must have an ACDA sponsor (or a representative named by the sponsor) staying at a conference hotel who can provide ACDA with a working cell phone number.
- Any questions can be addressed to Jared Berry, ACDA Honor Choir Chair, at
Online Audition Process
- Honor Choir applications are now closed.
- The Sponsor (and the applicant with their parent as necessary) submits online application information.
- Include a non-refundable application fee of $30.00 paid online on the application site.
- Do not state the student name, sponsor name, or organization for any uploaded recordings.
- Sponsor uploads three separate sound files of the following for the student. The sound files are:
A. Vocalise. The student will sing four (4) legato five-tone scale passages, ascending and descending, beginning on the given pitches. All vocalises must be sung a cappella. The starting pitch or chord may be given for each of the four vocalises on piano, pitch pipe, guitar or voice. Vocalises are to be sung on the syllable “mah”. The first pitch of each phrase should be voiced on “mah” with the following four notes sounding the extension of “ah”. (Please follow the metronome markings and do not stop the recording until all four phrases are completed.)
mm = 80 – 100
Four Starting Pitches for Vocalises:
Soprano
D above middle C
F# above middle C
A above middle C
Fourth line D
Alto
A below middle C
middle C#
E above middle C
A above middle C
B. Repertoire Excerpt. “Domine Deus” from Mass in G by J.S. Bach, m. 1-26
Score link: View the Score
Practice Tracks: Click here to view the tracks
Important: These rehearsal tracks should be used to learn and record the audition excerpt. The audition excerpt should be recorded with the track playing through headphones so that the recording does not include anything other than the student’s voice.
C. Solo. Sing 30 seconds of a range-appropriate folk song, or a song taught in voice lessons, class or in chorus, accompanied or unaccompanied. It is important that the piece chosen best demonstrates the tone quality and musicality required of a choral singer. If accompaniment is used, please limit the introduction to 5 seconds at the most. Clearly state the title of the prepared solo and the name of the composer/arranger at the beginning of this part of the recording.
Scoring Guidelines
Point values for each audio file are as follows:
I. | VOCALISES (20 pts MAXIMUM): | Pitch- 5 pts Pitch- 5 pts | Tone- 5 pts Tone- 5 pts | |
II. | EXCERPT (45 pts MAXIMUM): | Pitch- 15 pts | Tone- 15 pts | Musicality- 15 pts |
III. | SOLO (30 pts MAXIMUM): | Pitch- 10 pts | Tone- 10 pts | Musicality- 10 pts |
Junior High/Middle School Honor Choir | Andrea Ramsey, Conductor
Eligibility for audition
- Singers who will be in grades 6, 7, 8, or 9 in February 2023 may apply
- Singers who are in the 6th grade and wish to apply for the Elementary Choir must submit a separate application and pay the additional fee. Please note, auditioning for both ensembles has no bearing on admission to either ensemble.
- Application (through Submittable) deadline is September 29, 2022 at 11:59PM CST.
- Singers must be members in good standing of their sponsoring musical organizations
- Given the ‘changing’ nature of male voices in this age range, applicants should apply in the voice range that best suits them at the time of the audition—changes in vocal placement might be made (in consultation with the ACDA sponsor) up until the time of conference.
- Application fee of $30
Registration fees and costs: Accepted singers are responsible for all of the following
- Registration/participation fee of $350
- This fee covers two (2) meals each day on Thursday and Friday, and breakfast on Saturday, as well as the costs of the honor choir.
- This fee does NOT include hotel accommodations. Participating singers and their parent(s) or parent-appointed chaperones will be responsible for arranging and paying for their accommodations. A link will be provided after students are accepted to make reservations at a conference rate in designated hotels.
- Personal transportation to and from Cincinnati, OH.
- Scholarships are available and financial need will have no impact on the audition outcome.
Expectations of accepted singers
- Accepted singers must be in attendance at all scheduled rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances.
- Singers must be well-prepared on all music prior to arrival. Re-auditions will take place before the first rehearsal on Wednesday, February 22. Singers who are not prepared will not be allowed to participate in the honor choir.
- Singers are expected to abide by all ACDA Honor Choir policies. If rules are broken, singers will be sent home at their personal expense.
- Singers are expected to abide by the ACDA National Conference COVID-19 Guidance
Communication
- All information regarding the Honor Choir experience will be communicated through the ACDA Sponsor. Singers should check regularly with the sponsor and on the Honor Choir Announcement webpage (www.acda.org) for updated information. Singers must have an ACDA sponsor (or a representative named by the sponsor) staying at a conference hotel who can provide ACDA with a working cell phone number.
- Any questions can be addressed to Jared Berry, ACDA Honor Choir Chair, at
Online Audition Process
- Honor Choir applications are now closed.
- The Sponsor (and the applicant with their parent as necessary) submits online application information.
- Include a non-refundable application fee of $30.00 paid online on the application site.
- Do not state the student name, sponsor name, or organization for any uploaded recordings.
- Sponsor uploads three separate sound files of the following for the student. The sound files are:
A. Vocalise. The student will sing four (4) legato five-tone scale passages, ascending and descending, beginning on the given pitches. All vocalises must be sung a cappella. The starting pitch or chord may be given for each of the four vocalises on piano, pitch pipe, guitar or voice. Vocalises are to be sung on the syllable “mah”. The first pitch of each phrase should be voiced on “mah” with the following four notes sounding the extension of “ah”. (Please follow the metronome markings and do not stop the recording until all four phrases are completed.)
mm = 80 – 100
Four Starting Pitches for Vocalises:
Soprano
D above middle C
F# above middle C
A above middle C
Fourth line D
Alto
A below middle C
middle C#
E above middle C
A above middle C
Tenor
F below middle C
G below middle C
A below middle C
Middle C
Bass
G2
B-flat 2
C3
E-flat 3
B. Repertoire Excerpt. Imaginary Creatures, movement 4 “Imaginary Friend”, m. 1-15
Score link: View the Score
Practice Track: Click here to view the tracks
Important: These rehearsal tracks should be used to learn and record the audition excerpt. The audition excerpt should be recorded with the track playing through headphones so that the recording does not include anything other than the student’s voice.
C. Solo. Sing 30 seconds of a range-appropriate folk song, or a song taught in voice lessons, class or in chorus, accompanied or unaccompanied. It is important that the piece chosen best demonstrates the tone quality and musicality required of a choral singer. If accompaniment is used, please limit the introduction to 5 seconds at the most. Clearly state the title of the prepared solo and the name of the composer/arranger at the beginning of this part of the recording.
Scoring Guidelines
I. | VOCALISES (20 pts MAXIMUM): | Pitch- 5 pts Pitch- 5 pts | Tone- 5 pts Tone- 5 pts | |
II. | EXCERPT (45 pts MAXIMUM): | Pitch- 15 pts | Tone- 15 pts | Musicality- 15 pts |
III. | SOLO (30 pts MAXIMUM): | Pitch- 10 pts | Tone- 10 pts | Musicality- 10 pts |
High School SSAA Honor Choir | Pearl Shangkuan, Conductor
Eligibility for audition
- Singers who will be in grades 10, 11, or 12 in February 2023 may apply.
- Application (through Submittable) deadline is September 29, 2022 at 11:59PM CST.
- Singers must be members in good standing of their sponsoring musical organizations.
- Singers must be sponsored by a current ACDA member.
- Singers who wish to apply for the High School SATB Choir must submit a separate application and pay the additional fee. Please note, auditioning for both ensembles has no bearing on admission to either ensemble.
- Application fee of $30
Registration fees and costs: Accepted singers are responsible for all of the following
- Registration/participation fee
- Option A) $580.
- This fee covers three (3) hotel nights, two (2) meals each day on Thursday and Friday, and breakfast on Saturday, as well as the costs of the honor choir.
- Students will be assigned to quadruple-occupancy rooms (two queen beds per room) in the Hyatt Regency for three nights, February 22-24, supervised by ACDA-provided chaperones.
- Option B) $350
- This fee covers two (2) meals each day on Thursday and Friday, and breakfast on Saturday, as well as the costs of the honor choir.
- This fee does NOT include hotel accommodations. Participating singers and their parent(s) or parent-appointed chaperones will be responsible for arranging and paying for their accommodations. A link will be provided after students are accepted to make reservations at a conference rate in designated hotels.
- Option A) $580.
- Personal transportation to and from Cincinnati, OH.
- Scholarships are available and financial need will have no impact on the audition outcome.
Expectations of accepted singers
- Accepted singers must be in attendance at all scheduled rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances.
- Singers must be well-prepared on all music prior to arrival. Re-auditions will take place before the first rehearsal on Wednesday, February 22. Singers who are not prepared will not be allowed to participate in the honor choir.
- Singers are expected to abide by all ACDA Honor Choir policies. If rules are broken, singers will be sent home at their personal expense.
- Singers must have an ACDA sponsor (or a representative named by the sponsor) staying at a conference hotel who can provide ACDA with a working cell phone number.
- Singers are expected to abide by the ACDA National Conference COVID-19 Guidance
Communication
- All information regarding the Honor Choir experience will be communicated through the ACDA Sponsor. Singers should check regularly with the sponsor and on the Honor Choir Announcement webpage (www.acda.org) for updated information. Singers must have an ACDA sponsor (or a representative named by the sponsor) staying at a conference hotel who can provide ACDA with a working cell phone number.
- Any questions can be addressed to Jared Berry, ACDA Honor Choir Chair, at
Online Audition Process
- Honor Choir applications are now closed.
- The Sponsor (and the applicant with their parent as necessary) submits online application information.
- Include a non-refundable application fee of $30.00 paid online on the application site.
- Do not state the student name, sponsor name, or organization for any uploaded recordings.
- Sponsor uploads three separate sound files of the following for the student. The sound files are:
A. Vocalise. Sing the ascending and descending major scales appropriate to the voice part. Scales should be sung on the vowel “ah” as in father. Only the starting pitch may be played. Accompanied singers will be disqualified.
Voice Part | Starting pitch for ascending scale | Starting pitch for Descending scale |
---|---|---|
Soprano I | B flat above middle C | C above middle C |
Soprano II | A above middle C | B above middle C |
Alto I | E above middle C | A above middle C |
Alto II | D above middle C | G above middle C |
B. Repertoire Excerpt. Sing m. 67-85 of “Ubi Caritas” by Dan Forrest, a cappella. Quarter note = 60 bpm.
Score link: View the Score
Practice Track: Click here to view the tracks
Important: These rehearsal tracks should be used to learn and record the audition excerpt. The audition excerpt should be recorded with the track playing through headphones so that the recording does not include anything other than the student’s voice.
C. Solo. Sing 30 seconds of a range-appropriate folk song, or a song taught in voice lessons, class or in chorus, accompanied or unaccompanied. It is important that the piece chosen best demonstrates the tone quality and musicality required of a choral singer. If accompaniment is used, please limit the introduction to 5 seconds at the most. Clearly state the title of the prepared solo and the name of the composer/arranger at the beginning of this part of the recording.
Scoring Guidelines
I. | SCALES (20 pts MAXIMUM): | Pitch- 5 pts Pitch- 5 pts | Tone- 5 pts Tone- 5 pts | |
II. | EXCERPT (45 pts MAXIMUM): | Pitch- 15 pts | Tone- 15 pts | Musicality- 15 pts |
III. | SOLO (30 pts MAXIMUM): | Pitch- 10 pts | Tone- 10 pts | Musicality- 10 pts |
High School SATB Honor Choir | Eugene Rogers, Conductor
Eligibility for audition
- Singers who will be in grades 10, 11, or 12 in February 2023 may apply.
- Application (through Submittable) deadline is September 29, 2022 at 11:59PM CST.
- Singers must be members in good standing of their sponsoring musical organizations.
- Singers must be sponsored by a current ACDA member.
- Singers who wish to apply for the High School SSAA Choir must submit a separate application and pay the additional fee. Please note, auditioning for both ensembles has no bearing on admission to either ensemble.
- Application fee of $30
Registration fees and costs: Accepted singers are responsible for all of the following
- Registration/participation fee
- Option A) $580.
- This fee covers three (3) hotel nights, two (2) meals each day on Thursday and Friday, and breakfast on Saturday, as well as the costs of the honor choir.
- Students will be assigned to quadruple-occupancy rooms (two queen beds per room) in the Hyatt Regency for three nights, February 22-24, supervised by ACDA-provided chaperones.
- Option B) $350
- This fee covers two (2) meals each day on Thursday and Friday, and breakfast on Saturday, as well as the costs of the honor choir.
- This fee does NOT include hotel accommodations. Participating singers and their parent(s) or parent-appointed chaperones will be responsible for arranging and paying for their accommodations. A link will be provided after students are accepted to make reservations at a conference rate in designated hotels.
- Option A) $580.
- Personal transportation to and from Cincinnati, OH.
- Scholarships are available and financial need will have no impact on the audition outcome.
Expectations of accepted singers
- Accepted singers must be in attendance at all scheduled rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances.
- Singers must be well-prepared on all music prior to arrival. Re-auditions will take place before the first rehearsal on Wednesday, February 22. Singers who are not prepared will not be allowed to participate in the honor choir.
- Singers are expected to abide by all ACDA Honor Choir policies. If rules are broken, singers will be sent home at their personal expense.
- Singers must have an ACDA sponsor (or a representative named by the sponsor) staying at a conference hotel who can provide ACDA with a working cell phone number.
- Singers are expected to abide by the ACDA National Conference COVID-19 Guidance
Communication
- All information regarding the Honor Choir experience will be communicated through the ACDA Sponsor. Singers should check regularly with the sponsor and on the Honor Choir Announcement webpage (www.acda.org) for updated information. Singers must have an ACDA sponsor (or a representative named by the sponsor) staying at a conference hotel who can provide ACDA with a working cell phone number.
- Any questions can be addressed to Jared Berry, ACDA Honor Choir Chair, at
Online Audition Process
- Honor Choir applications are now closed.
- The Sponsor (and the applicant with their parent as necessary) submits online application information.
- Include a non-refundable application fee of $30.00 paid online on the application site.
- Do not state the student name, sponsor name, or organization for any uploaded recordings.
- Sponsor uploads three separate sound files of the following for the student. The sound files are:
A. Vocalise. Sing the ascending and descending major scales appropriate to voice part. Scales should be sung on the vowel “ah” as in father. Only the starting pitch may be played. Accompanied singers will be disqualified.
Voice Part | Starting pitch for ascending scale | Starting pitch for Descending scale |
---|---|---|
Soprano I | B flat above middle C | C above middle C |
Soprano II | A above middle C | B above middle C |
Alto I | E above middle C | A above middle C |
Alto II | D above middle C | G above middle C |
Tenor I | A flat below middle C | E above middle C |
Tenor II | F sharp below middle C | Middle C |
Bass I | E flat below middle C | G below middle C |
Bass II | C sharp below middle C | E below middle C |
B. Repertoire Excerpt “Set Me As A Seal” by Margaret Burk. m. 35-49 are to be performed a cappella.
Score link: View the Score
Practice Track: Click here to view the tracks
Important: These rehearsal tracks should be used to learn and record the audition excerpt. The audition excerpt should be recorded with the track playing through headphones so that the recording does not include anything other than the student’s voice.
C. Solo. Sing 30 seconds of a range-appropriate folk song, or a song taught in voice lessons, class or in chorus, accompanied or unaccompanied. It is important that the piece chosen best demonstrates the tone quality and musicality required of a choral singer. If accompaniment is used, please limit the introduction to 5 seconds at the most. Clearly state the title of the prepared solo and the name of the composer/arranger at the beginning of this part of the recording.
Scoring Guidelines
I. | SCALES (20 pts MAXIMUM): | Pitch- 5 pts Pitch- 5 pts | Tone- 5 pts Tone- 5 pts | |
II. | EXCERPT (45 pts MAXIMUM): | Pitch- 15 pts | Tone- 15 pts | Musicality- 15 pts |
III. | SOLO (30 pts MAXIMUM): | Pitch- 10 pts | Tone- 10 pts | Musicality- 10 pts |
Honor Choir Scholarship Information
ACDA will offer scholarship support for eligible students for the National Honor Choirs. Funding is limited and distribution will be made using a combination of first-come, first-served and the intent to distribute funds across state and region representation in the requests. Click here to learn more.