Join the Bach Festival Choir
“Having my music performed at such a high level with deep insight and dedication was a joy.”
— Morten Lauridsen, Composer
Do you have what it takes?
If you are serious singer who is eager to perform challenging repertoire with an elite choir and orchestra, and can commit to the time it takes to rehearse throughout the year, this internationally recognized choral society may be a rewarding opportunity for you!
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Lauded by The Wall Street Journal critic Terry Teachout as “by any possible standard, one of the finest organizations of its kind in America,” the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park has earned an international reputation for excellence among oratorio and choral societies. In a review of the Choir’s appearance with the London Symphony Orchestra in 2008, Orlando Sentinel writer Scott Warfield wrote, “This Winter Park choir was every bit the equal of the world-class London Symphony Orchestra.” Delivering masterful performances reaching far beyond the Central Florida community, the Bach Festival Society Choir and Orchestra have recorded multiple albums, hosted many of today’s best composers and touring guest artists, and given performances throughout Europe.
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The Bach Festival Choir performs challenging masterworks as well as new works, and often prepares concerts with a limited rehearsal schedule. The Choir arrives to weekly rehearsals ready to rehearse and refine concert repertoire.
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As an oratorio society, the Bach Festival Choir’s primary repertoire is built on choral masterworks, but the Choir is also known for its performance of contemporary works, and rarely heard compositions: Mozart’s Requiem, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, J.S. Bach’s “Passions”, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Antonio Estévez’s Cantata Criolla, and Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna. The Choir is also committed to performing new works, and collaborating with other organizations.
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The Bach Choir attracts singers from across 9 counties to rehearse and perform. Our diversity and dedication make the Choir a rewarding place to make music together, connect with audiences, and for each choir member to achieve personal growth.
Auditions
The Bach Festival Choir holds auditions for new choir members each summer for the following season, and occasionally throughout the season as needed. Candidates will be asked to sing scales, match pitch, and do a sight-reading exercise. In addition, choir hopefuls must prepare one song that is classical in nature—it can be a hymn—and bring an extra copy of the music for the accompanist. The Bach Festival Society’s Artistic Director and Conductor, Dr. John V. Sinclair, hears all auditions.
To schedule an audition, please fill out the following Choir Interest form and submit. Also, please send a small digital photo with light background to choir@BachFestivalFlorida.org.
Please email choir@BachFestivalFlorida.org or call Regunia Griggs at 407.691.1228 or Sherry Orr at 407.646.1527 if you have questions.
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Fill out the audition form below. You will be contacted by our choir liaison to schedule your audition time.
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There are no dues for members of the Bach Festival Choir. Choir members are asked to purchase the music performed during the season, which is theirs to keep. Singers are also asked to purchase a large-format black choral folder, which is theirs to keep.
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The choir rehearses weekly on Monday nights from 7:00pm to 9:00 pm on the Rollins College campus. Additional sectional rehearsals and workshops are held throughout the performance season. The choir schedules several additional rehearsals with the Bach Festival Orchestra during the week prior to each performance and at other times as needed. Choir members are expected to commit to attend all rehearsals.
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Choir members are expected to wear specific performance attire. Ladies: Black dress and jacket (purchased through the Bach Festival Society Office) 30″ simulated white pearl necklace (purchased through the Bach Festival Society Office), and black shoes with heel strap. Men: Black tuxedo, black bowtie, cummerbund, white tuxedo shirt, black socks, and shoes.
Register here to audition.
Please complete this form, and we will contact you to schedule an audition. Auditions are held during the summer months, and as needed throughout the year.
“Singing with the choir brings joy to my life through the beautiful music we sing, the feelings of accomplishment in tackling and mastering challenging compositions, the audience’s’ response to us, and most of all, from sharing this incredible experience with great people.”