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Please note: This information relates to young singers auditioning to be in the National Youth Choir only (ages 18-25). Details of how to prepare to audition for one of our Junior or Training Choirs will be added to the relevant section in late summer, and auditions for these choirs will take place in the autumn. 

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We want our auditions process to be easy and accessible so that you can concentrate on the most important thing - preparing to give your best! Once you've booked an audition, it's time to make sure you're as prepared as possible. You will need to prepare for the following: 

Perform one own-choice song (from memory) unaccompanied 

Vocal assessment

Musicianship - aural & score-reading 

Short informal interview 

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Perform one own-choice song (from memory) unaccompanied 

The song that you perform is your own choice. Select something that best demonstrates your abilities. It doesn’t have to be 'classical', but if you choose a musical theatre or pop song you need to demonstrate a strong and sound vocal technique. The song must be performed without accompaniment and should be a piece that you know really well and that offers a suitable level of musical challenge, rather than something overly ambitious. We strongly recommend you learn your song from memory so you can communicate through your performance. 

We may only need to hear an excerpt of your song, so don’t be put off if we ask you to stop. 

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Vocal assessment

After you have performed your prepared song, you will be offered some vocal exercises to demonstrate your tone and range. This will allow us to assess your responsiveness and vocal flexibility. You will be guided through these exercises by the audition panel.

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Musicianship - aural & score-reading 

You'll also be asked to demonstrate your aural and reading skills, using the shared screen function on Zoom. The level of challenge will depend on your age and experience.

Examples may include: 

singing a simple unaccompanied melody.

singing a short unprepared excerpt from a choral score in the audition. 

identifying musical symbols, details and markings such as key/time signatures, intervals, tempo and articulation markings. 

aural tests, including interval and pitch recognition. 

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Short informal interview 

We’d like to talk to you informally about yourself, why you’ve auditioned for the National Youth Choir, what you enjoy about your singing and what your plans are for the future. Please be as honest and enthusiastic as you can! 

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QUESTIONS? 

If you have any questions about the auditions for the National Youth Choir, please contact Ben Noble between 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday – Friday.

Tel: 0191 383 7334 or email: [email protected]