Interested in joining the Bella Voce Women's Chorus of Vermont?  Occasionally openings become available so we encourage singers with significant choral experience to read the information below and consider auditioning.   When openings are available auditions are usually held in June or July, but can be arranged at other times of the year. There are currently openings for sopranos. Please read the following information prior to contacting contacting Bella Voce's Artistic Director, Dr. Dawn Willis at bellavocevt@aol.com to request an audition appointment.
 

Bella Voce Missions Statement
The purpose of the Bella Voce Women’s Chorus of Vermont is to promote choral music of quality through performances of high artistic value; provide members with the opportunity to enhance their musical knowledge and skills; enrich the quality of life of members and audience; serve as role models to women singers of all ages; and promote the value of singing as a life-long avocation.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director, Dr. Dawn Willis, Bella Voce strives to provide inspiring performances of outstanding choral literature written for women's voices throughout Vermont, the Northeast and beyond. 

 

Before You Audition
If you feel you are a good fit with Bella Voce's type of music (check out our recordings on this site), send an email outlining your choral experience and any private vocal or instrumental study you have had to bellavocevt@aol.com.   All singers selected for an audition will be sent the choir’s schedule in advance, and are asked to check for potential conflicts for the upcoming year.  Joining Bella Voce involves a significant (and rewarding) commitment.

At the Audition
The Audition components are listed below. Auditions generally last 20 minutes.

Audition components include:
1) singing the National Anthem without piano accompaniment - in whatever key the singer prefers (music with the words will be provided)
2) a solo (sung without piano accompaniment for the audition).  Note that Bella Voce is a classical choir, so the solo song should demonstrate your classical vocal technique.
3) some scales to check range
4) a short sight-reading example

 

Classical choral experience required
Bella Voce generally performs challenging classical choral repertoire and auditions are limited to singers with significant choral experience. A number of Bella Voce members currently sing in 2-3 ensembles. Over 50% of the chorus currently study voice privately. Women requesting audition appointments will be asked to list their previous choral experience.

If You Are Accepted
Successful candidates will be invited to join Bella Voce for a probationary period which may last for four to six months, at which time the Artistic Director will inform the singer of her status. When accepted into Bella Voce, singers will be asked to agree to the terms of the singer’s manual. Any singer who has been on leave for more than one season will be asked to re-audition prior to rejoining the choir.

Bella Voce performs two major annual concerts (two performances of each) as well as several other special events. 

 

Bella Voce rehearses on Monday nights from 7:00-9:30, and will be rehearsing in the choral room at Essex High School this year. Following the summer break, rehearsals will resume in late August and continue through mid-May.