Choir Questions & Answers
What groups are available? How are they different?
We have choirs for singers at all levels of experience and expertise, and with varying time commitments. College Choir is the most advanced SATB group, designed for experienced singers, and rehearses the most. Concert Choir meets once a week, and specializes in larger choral works. Audeamus is an upper-voice choir with one rehearsal per week, and Camerata is for vocal chamber music, with eight advanced singers performing music such as madrigals and vocal jazz. Some people sing in more than one choir.
Will I have time for choir in college?
YES! You can tailor your participation to fit your schedule. Concert Choir and Audeamus meet just once a week - almost anyone can handle that time commitment. Other groups meet more often, and you can combine your experiences to fit your commitment level. Singers say that choir provides a welcome change from other kinds of classes, and making music with friends is very rewarding.
Do I have to be a Conservatory student to sing in choir?
NO! Choirs are open to any Gettysburg College student. In fact, many of our finest singers are students in other programs.
I’m an incoming first year student. What should I think about now for singing in choir?
Plan for it. Think about which choir(s) you want to be in and SAVE THAT TIME in your schedule so you can participate. If there is a conflict with another class, often you can find another section of a class or lab that does not conflict with choir. Plan ahead: it is more difficult to switch later on.
College Choir and Camerata are the most competitive groups, and not all first year students get to sing in those ensembles. Save the times for Concert Choir and/or Audeamus as well.
When do the choirs meet?
Save time slots in your class schedule for the choir(s) that interest you.
Rehearsal times are:
- College Choir: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
- Concert Choir: Wednesdays from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
- Audeamus: Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Camerata: Wednesdays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Note that lengths of rehearsals and other procedures will be adjusted to follow COVID-19 protocols for safety.
How do I join?
All groups are open by audition or voice check. We want to make sure that you get into the right group and the right voice part. There is a single audition for all of the ensembles. Some singers perform in more than one ensemble.
How will auditions work with COVID-19 protocols?
Auditions will take place online. There is a form to fill out, and some instructions to sing some vocal exercises and a song right into the web form! You can do it any time, any place. There is a complete explanation about the process at this page.
What happens after auditions?
Auditions are due by Wednesday, August 19th at 5:00pm. Everyone who auditions will receive email notification about the results, that night or the following morning. You will receive invitations to join particular choir(s). Once you receive the results you can decide which invitations to accept. College Choir will meet for the first time on Thursday, August 20th at 4:00; the other choirs will begin the following week.
How can I get more information?
Visit the choir webpage.
Visit the choir Facebook page.
Email Dr. Natter at rnatter@gettysburg.edu.