New choristers wishing to join Jubilate Singers have the option to audition to sing with the main choir or have an initial voice assessment which will place them in the choral development (CD) program. The CD program has been geared to assist choristers to develop more confidence in their musical skills and prepare them to sing with the rest of the choir.

Initial Voice Assessment

• Applicants will be accepted if they (1) can sing in pitch (2) are open to learning experiences and (3) are willing to practise regularly

• Applicants will be given realistic feedback and may also be given suggestions for familiarization with and training in choral music

Training Sessions

Choral Development Singers will be able to…

• participate in two types of pre-rehearsal training sessions on Tuesdays (up to 3-4 weeks before each concert):
  ◦          weeks 1 & 3: bi-sectional rehearsals for review of CD Program repertoire
  ◦          weeks 2 & 4: sight-singing and ear-training

• stay during announcements and break

• feel welcome to sit in on Jubilate rehearsals and sing Jubilate’s repertoire in rehearsal

• sing 3-4 songs in each concert with the full choir

• give and receive feedback at the end of the first season, through a phone call with an in-reach committee member or through a voice/musical assessment with the conductor or both.

• have the possibility of joining a massed symphonic choir every two years

Sample schedule for most of the trimester

(except 4 weeks before concerts, when the whole choir will start at 7:00:

·       7:00 CD Program training sessions (run by Music Section Leaders and Assistants)
·       7:30 Warm-up and rehearsal 1: focus on CD Program songs
·       8:15 Announcements and break
·       8:30 Rehearsal 2: focus on Jubilate’s songs
·       9:45 End

All in all, we believe this new model will promote greater ease and confidence in choristers of all musical levels.