Choir Auditions and Scholarships

More than 100 Alma College students receive choir scholarships each year. Scholarship recipients sing in either the Women’s Glee Club, the College Chorale or the Alma Choir. Choral scholarships--of up to $1000 per year--can help make an Alma College education possible.

Please do call, or e-mail, Dr. Nichols to discuss and arrange a choral scholarship audition.
Phone # (989) 463-7221 / email nichols@alma.edu  

If you are interested in a choir scholarship, please read the information below:

What is expected of me at an audition?

You should prepare two solo songs that allow you to demonstrate the quality of your voice and the level of your musicianship. It is important that you audition with solo songs and not simply your part of a choir song.

You should feel free to pick any types of music that you like to sing. Students have successfully auditioned with classical songs, Broadway hits, pop songs, etc.                                                                                  

If you are not sure what to sing, please give Dr. Nichols a phone call at (989) 463-7221 or send him an email at nichols@alma.edu

How does the audition work?

High school seniors usually arrange with Dr. Nichols to join a rehearsal of the choirs on the day they plan to audition:

College Chorale / M, W, F from 12:30 – 1:20
Women’s Glee Club / M, W, F from 1:30 – 2:20
Alma Choir / M-Th from 5:00 – 6:15, and most Fridays at 4:00 pm

You can sing with us for an hour to warm up your voice and to get a feel for how the Alma Choirs work and interact. After the rehearsal you will have a moment to go through your audition pieces with the Choir accompanist, Mr. Anthony Patterson, before singing for Dr. Nichols. The audition only takes about 15 minutes.

Who should audition for a choral scholarship?

Anyone who loves to sing and would like to sing with the Alma College Choirs. Students who have participated in high school or church choir are especially encouraged to audition.

Do you have to be a great soloist to get a scholarship?

No! Dr. Nichols is looking for people who enjoy singing and who will be valuable/reliable members of the choirs. A solo voice is not a requirement.    The potential to be a good choir member, and a positive personal attitude, are requirements.

Do I have to be a music major to get a choir scholarship?

No! The majority of choir scholarship recipients are not music majors -- they just happen to love to sing. Of course, students planning to major in music should audition for a scholarship.

Is the audition serious?

Of course it’s serious, you are auditioning for a $1000 award! Everyone is nervous before auditioning (that’s the way it should be), but it is hardly ever fatal!

What about a pianist?

Mr. Anthony Patterson is available to accompany auditions on weekdays after any choir rehearsal. He can play absolutely anything! Any type of music, and style, and speed, any key. Bring a copy of your music for Mr. Patterson and he will make it easy for you.

Taped accompaniments are not acceptable without prior approval from Dr. Nichols.

 What mistakes do students make in the audition process?

Generally, students who don't earn choir scholarships make one of the following mistakes: 1) they don't audition!!!
2)  they come to audition without preparing their audition pieces.

Is there a deadline for scholarship auditions?

Yes! Please plan to complete your audition by March 1, 2009. 

 
IF YOU"VE READ THIS FAR, YOU MUST BE SERIOUS ABOUT SINGING, AND ABOUT AUDITIONING -- SO

Who do I contact to arrange and audition?

Dr. Will Nichols at (989) 463-7221 or nichols@alma.edu  /
or the Admissions Office at (800) 321-ALMA