by Liz Greenlaw, Opus 48 Founding Committee Member 

Setting up this new choir means… AUDITIONS!! [cue Psycho strings and clap of thunder]

It’s a pretty rare bird who doesn’t feel at least a bit nervous about auditions. If you are reading this, you have probably been auditioned at least once, but possibly many times over the years. How was it for you? I’ve yet to meet a singer who hasn’t got an audition story. (We all love a good story – anonymised, please!)

Most of us amateurs do all our singing in choirs, where, for good reasons, we are encouraged to blend with our neighbours. The idea of being heard individually is a bit counter-cultural. Actually it’s completely counter-cultural. Then there is something absolutely personal about our voices, so presenting them for assessment makes us feel highly vulnerable. Just to make matters worse, if your knees are knocking, your voice will wobble too.

You definitely need a bit of resilience to put yourself through an audition. However, the big reward is that very special buzz that you get from *passing*, when you really, really wanted to get into that choir.

The standard of auditions for Opus 48 has been great so far, so if you have already passed you can be sure you will be in good company for the next stage of your singing life. Do tell your friends about it and encourage anyone who is interested to sign up for an audition too.

Audition information and online booking here. 

As the audition process plays out, it is clear that there are many singers out there who want a part of that. Either as an addition to their chamber outfits, or as an exciting group that intends to fulfil both the intimacy of a smaller choir, with the ability to sing the big works of a large choral society. Every voice will count, everyone will be able to trust and rely on their fellow singers to pull their weight and contribute fully to the end product. 

Of course we are still looking for more men - the sad fact that fewer men than women sing regularly is the same the world over. But the high standard of all those we already have bodes very well.....and it has been a huge joy to meet so many new faces. 

Fun, stimulating and progressive rehearsals begin in September. Don’t just sit there, help make history and check out how you can get involved in the first new choral society in the area for over fifty years. I cannot wait to give that first down-beat!

For more information about joining us and online audition booking, click here.