Singer Auditions
AfterGlow Chorus is always looking for talented, experienced singers interested in performing in a premier, chamber choir. AfterGlow has already impressed audiences with its high level of excellence and musicianship.
Many of the choir's singers have studied music or sung in choirs in college, while others have significant singing experience via collegiate a cappella groups. Some of our singers include music teachers, college & graduate school students, educators, lawyers, medical professionals, tech engineers, scientists, as well as many others. All are committed to a high standard of musical excellence while also having fun in the process.
Our singers are drawn not only from Oakland, but throughout the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. Most of our singers live or work in and around Oakland (e.g., Alameda, San Leandro, Castro Valley, Richmond, Berkeley, Hayward, Emeryville, Orinda Lafayette, Walnut Creek, and San Francisco).
The Fall Concert program is a special program called "Stand Up: Support Ukraine & Fight Antisemitism." We will be singing a wide range of music on these dual, overlapping themes as we are fortunate to have singers from both of these communities.
Here are just some of the powerful, dramatic pieces that we will be singing:
"Even When He Is Silent" by Kim André Arnesan
"Oi u luzi chervona kalyna" (Ukrainian folk song)
"Bless the Lord, Oh my Soul" by Kyrylo Stetsenko
"A Quiet Night - Tyhoyi Nochi" by Ukrainian composer Natalia Tsupryk (Bay Area Premier)
"1944" by Jamala (Eurovision Song contest winner)
"War" by Edwin Starr
"Eli, Eli" written by Hannah Szenes in 1942 and set to music by David Zehavi in 1945 (original AfterGlow arrangement)
"Glitter in the Air" by Pink
"Lullabye" by Billy Joel
"Don't Lose Sight" by Lawrence
"Bridge Over Troubled Water: by Paul Simon
Here is a YouTube playlist of the concert music: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeLtdDKoF3VQ1tGoRs0Sww17o1aSI6D9k
We are honored to perform one of of these special concerts at the wonderful Temple Beth Abraham in Oakland.
Unlike most other choirs, AfterGlow rehearses in intensive, 4-week periods right before each concert. Prior to the first rehearsal, singers learn, study, and practice their parts on their own.
Rehearsals are very fast-paced due to the compressed schedule and high-caliber of singers. Rehearsals are held at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland in the popular Uptown neighborhood in Oakland. The rehearsal location is very easily accessible by mass transit (e.g., BART). Many singers also carpool with each other. Free parking is also readily available.
Here is the accelerated rehearsal schedule (ALL DATES ARE MANDATORY):
Tuesday 9/26 from 7 pm - 9:30 pm
Thursday 9/28 from 7 pm - 9:30 pm
Tuesday 10/3 from 7 pm - 9:30 pm
Thursday 10/5 from 7 pm - 9:30 pm
Tuesday 10/10 from 7 pm - 9:30 pm
Thursday 10/12 from 7 pm - 9:30 pm
Tuesday 10/17 from 7 pm - 9:30 pm
Thursday 10/19 from 7 pm - 9:30 pm
Saturday 10/21 from 1 pm - 4 pm (DRESS REHEARSAL)
Sunday, 10/22: Concert #1 (Call Time 1:30 pm for 4 pm concert @ First Presbyterian Church of Oakland)
Thursday, 11/2 from 7 pm - 9:30 pm) - REFRESH REHEARSAL
Sunday, 11/5: Concert #2 (Call Time 1 pm for 3 pm concert @ Temple Beth Abraham of Oakland)
The audition itself is simple and straightforward. You will be asked to sing any a cappella song of your choosing that you have prepared. There will also be some vocalizing and sight singing.
Unlike many other choirs, there are no fees or tuition to sing in the chorus.
