NCYC AUDITION INFORMATION:

Concert Solos, Liturgical Cantoring, Organ

The National Catholic Youth Choir strongly encourages all interested choristers to consider auditioning to perform a solo at our concerts.

NCYC has sessions for the entire choir during camp training choristers to be cantors in the liturgy. Interested choristers are encouraged to audition to cantor at one of our NCYC liturgies.

NCYC offers the possibility of receiving free organ lessons for qualified choristers, with the possibility of performing during camp or on concert tour.

CONCERT SOLO

·    This might be a vocal solo, a duet with another chorister, or an instrumental solo.

·    You are to select the music before camp and be prepared to perform it when you arrive.     

·    The piece must be sacred, especially in the case of a vocal solo with a text. In the past, nearly all pieces have been in a classical style from the major eras of musical history.

·    The piece may not be longer than approximately 4 to 5 minutes.

·    NCYC is able to provide an accompanist for your piece if needed. Please bring two copies of the piece with you - one for you and one for the accompanist.

·    Auditions will take place on Monday, June 22^nd, from 4:00 pm until 5:45 pm (i.e., right before the start of camp), and then on the first day or two of the camp (June 23^rd and 24^th). When you arrive on campus and register, you will have the opportunity to sign up for an audition time.

·    Auditions usually last approximately 5 minutes. Generally, two or more members of the NCYC staff will listen to your audition. The staff is very supportive and encouraging, and we hope this helps you not to be too nervous!

·    It is difficult to make the final selection, and we regret that we cannot always include every auditioned piece in our concert. We ask choristers to understand that the total time available for solos is limited. We try to include as many qualified soloists as possible.

CANTORING FOR LITURGY

·    The procedure for auditioning cantors is very similar to that for concert soloists (see above). Auditions for cantors take place the same time as solo auditions, last about 5 minutes, and are usually done before at least two NCYC staff members.

·    The piece for the audition is the same for everyone - see below.

You may find the audition pieces here:

1. Gloria

2. Psalm 34

ORGAN

·    The procedure for auditioning organists is very similar to that for concert soloists (see above). Audition time is worked out upon arrival on campus. Auditions usually last about 5 minutes, and are usually done before at least two NCYC staff members. The interested organist must bring a piece of organ music which has already been learned.

The National Catholic Youth Choir is a liturgically-based choir open to Roman Catholic youth entering 10th-12th grade.  The conductor of the choir is internationally renowned choral clinician Dr. Axel Theimer.  Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, a monk of Saint John’s abbey, is the founding director of the choir.  The program takes place each summer on the beautiful wooded grounds of Saint John's Abbey and University in central Minnesota.  What is unique about the National Catholic Youth Choir is its liturgical focus.  The singers learn about the Catholic liturgy and how the treasury of sacred music (Gregorian chant, Palestrina, Mozart, Bruckner, Poulenc, Duruflé...) fits in Catholic worship today.  The choir also sings contemporary and newly-written music, some of it specially commissioned for the NCYC.

© 2009 National Catholic Youth Choir

Saint John's Abbey and University,

Collegeville, Minnesota 56321

For further information, contact the choir founder and chaplain,

Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB
 

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This website is maintained by NCYC staff.
Last updated on 23 June 2009