AUDITIONS ARE NOW CLOSED! Thanks for your interest. Feel free to continue reading to learn about us and our audition policies. We are not accepting any more applications. If you’d like to know when our next round of auditions will be, please sign up for our e-list, accessed on the home page. Thank you!
The ANNA Crusis Feminist Choir is excited to audition and welcome new members. The chorus is open to all who sing in the SSAA (Soprano/Alto) range; women (cis and trans), non-binary singers, and trans men irrespective of gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.
Auditions September 10 & 11, 2022
Center City, Philadelphia
Auditions will be held at Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, 2110 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. Please note that Lutheran is used for auditions only. Our rehearsals begin on September 12 at 7:00 PM. New members accepted into the chorus will need to attend New Member Orientation on September 12 at 5:45 PM, prior to the start of rehearsal at The Friends Center, 1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia.
Audition times:
Saturday, September 10, 2022, from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday, September 11, 2002, from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
You will be notified of your audition results at the end of the weekend. Because of COVID restrictions please arrive no more than 10 minutes before your audition time. Someone will meet you at the door.
What about COVID?
Given the world we live in, we want you to know the following things as you consider auditioning. Our primary concern is keeping our community and audiences safe and healthy.
- All singers and staff will be required to provide proof of an FDA-approved Primary vaccine series and Booster vaccine if eligible and must sign a waiver.
- Singers and staff must always wear approved masks (KN95 or KF94) while in the building. This could change depending on local guidelines, our rehearsal space, and the comfort level of our singers.
- Singers will be distanced.
- If you feel sick, even with a cold, we will ask you to stay home. It will not count as an absence.
These safety protocols are fluid and will be adjusted as needed.
What will the COVID-19 protocol be for rehearsals and performances?
Our COVID-19 protocol is periodically reviewed by our staff, board, and public health officials, to be in accordance with guidance provided by local, state, and CDC guidelines. In addition to our vaccine requirement, our policy includes the exclusion of any symptomatic individuals, a mask requirement when recommended, and required reporting of COVID status by all members.
We will continue to stay on top of COVID-19 protocols and remain compliant with local, state & CDC guidelines. We do understand that this may seem like a lot, but the safety of you and our entire singing community comes first.
Can you tell me more about ANNA?
ANNA’s repertoire is wide and varied. The combination of quality content and high musical and artistic standards makes singing in ANNA a rich experience for singers and a rewarding one for audiences. You can hear us sing on ANNA’s YouTube channel. Our community is diverse in age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender expression, race and culture. We create space for conversation and opinion and work together to create an environment where all voices are heard.
ANNA’s mission statement: ANNA Crusis Feminist Choir inspires social change and builds community through the power of music.
ANNA’s vision statement: Rooted in intersectional feminist values, ANNA Crusis Feminist Choir fosters a community of women, transgender, and non-binary singers who strive for musical excellence, celebrate diversity, and support audiences, neighbors, and one another in their struggles for justice and equity.
How long will my audition be?
Your total audition time will be approximately 20 minutes. You’ll spend the first half meeting with a few representatives from the choir who will greet you, talk with you about ANNA, and allow you to tell us a little bit about yourself. If you have questions, you’ll be able to ask them here. The second part of your audition will be the musical portion. You’ll sing for us, and we’ll take you through some exercises depending upon your ability.
How should I prepare?
Prepare a song that you know well, are comfortable with, and that you can present confidently. While the song can be presented as a cappella, we suggest you choose a song with an accompaniment. You can accompany yourself, you can use an instrumental track, or we can play it for you. If we are playing it for you, please provide an extra copy of the music for our accompanist.
Can you tell me more about the audition?
In a typical year, we would send you sheet music and an MP3 file for a short song that we’d like you to learn. We would sing this together to start. This would allow us to see how you learn music on your own and how well you can blend. This year, you will just prepare a song to sing for us. We might then talk about your strengths and assess your sight-reading, rhythm, and listening skills, depending on your abilities. This may include singing scales or doing a few warm-ups to determine your range and your voice quality, listening to and repeating simple melodic patterns which will tell us your ability to hear and recognize pitches, and if you read music, sight-read a few measures of a piece, or rhythmic exercise to determine your reading level.
What is ANNA looking for?
We are looking for people with good musical skills and voices that are used to singing. Previous choral experience or group singing is preferred. You have to be able to match pitch, blend with other voices, and have critical listening skills. Being able to read music is a definite advantage, but it is not a requirement. If you don’t read music, you must have the aural skills and work ethic to learn music by rote in rehearsal or with practice files. You need to be able to learn lyrics in other languages and memorize music for performances in a timely fashion. We are looking for people who are willing to commit to coming to rehearsals regularly and on time, who will put in the time necessary to learn their music, and who want to spend a lot of time with some really fabulous people dedicated to making a better world singing about social justice!
How many people are you looking to accept?
New members are accepted based on current needs to maintain balance among four sections: Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Alto 1, and Alto 2.
What is the time commitment?
ANNA rehearses every Monday night, 7:00 PM – 9:45 PM, from September through December and January through June. We give several concerts yearly and perform at community events as they arise. If accepted, singers are expected to commit for the entire upcoming season. Sectionals are held once a month; while they are not mandatory, attending is strongly recommended. We also have two all-day retreats a year, in fall and spring. At the first rehearsal, you’ll receive a schedule of rehearsals and confirmed events for the upcoming season.
Is there an absentee policy?
Yes! Singers cannot miss more than three rehearsals during the Fall semester and four rehearsals during the Spring semester. There are also monthly sectionals, while optional, strongly suggested for learning music and camaraderie.
Where and when are rehearsals?
Rehearsals are held on Monday nights at the Friends Center, 1501 Cherry St. in Center City. An extra tech rehearsal is scheduled for the week of a concert weekend. Additional rehearsals are scheduled as needed.
What are the costs of joining?
Dues help to pay for the work of the choir. They can be paid all at once, per semester, or monthly and are based on a sliding scale. There are other minimal costs for costuming, parking, etc. More information about dues will be available at your audition.
What happens if I am not accepted?
Please do not be discouraged! While we would love to accept everyone, it is obviously not possible. You are always welcome to audition again in the future. Members have auditioned more than once before joining ANNA. You may also consider joining ANNA as a non-singing volunteer. We are a volunteer-driven organization and always welcome new members who wish to contribute time to our organization. Our Member Committee will be happy to put you in touch with the appropriate people depending on your particular interests.
Anything else?
Unfortunately, there will not be a space for you to warm up your voice. Please do this before attending your audition.
We are beyond excited to meet you! Good luck, and see you in September!
Audition Application