Final Call for Auditions: Join Our Oakland A Cappella Choir for "Ring Dem Bells"
With rehearsals starting Monday, October 26, AfterGlow Chorus is issuing a final call for singer auditions for "Ring Dem Bells," our upcoming December holiday concert series in Oakland. Section rosters are being finalized this week, and limited openings remain across all voice parts for singers looking to join an outstanding local choir.
If you are an experienced singer seeking a choir that combines musical rigor with a welcoming community, we would love to hear you. Many of our members are former college choir or a cappella singers living in the East Bay and San Francisco who wanted to return to singing dynamic, high-level a cappella literature.
We invite experienced sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses from across Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, Alameda, Emeryville, San Leandro, Castro Valley, Hayward, and Richmond to apply before section rosters close.
High-Level A Cappella Near Lake Merritt
AfterGlow Chorus rehearses and performs at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Oakland (114 Montecito Ave, located in the Adams Point neighborhood right by Lake Merritt). Our central East Bay location makes our choir easily accessible for commuters via 19th St BART and Freeways 880, 580, and 24.
Why singers choose AfterGlow for their choir home:
An Incredible Choral Sound: Singers join AfterGlow for the experience of making a truly stunning, rich a cappella sound—where warm vocal presence, deep harmonies, and seamless blend come together in every rehearsal.
Pure Unaccompanied Repertoire: We perform challenging, rewarding a cappella literature where every voice part plays a vital role in shaping the music.
Respect for Your Time: Our condensed rehearsal schedule delivers maximum artistic fulfillment through clear, efficient, and well-structured rehearsals.
Music Sent Early: Sheet music and practice materials are distributed well in advance so rehearsals focus immediately on musicality, phrasing, and color rather than note-learning.
A Dedicated Community: Sing alongside passionate, skilled musicians in an East Bay choir drawing members from across Oakland, San Francisco, and the broader Bay Area.
Watch: "Signs of the Judgment" Live in Oakland
To experience our sound and commitment to rhythmic drive and dynamic precision, watch our live performance of Mark Butler's arrangement of "Signs of the Judgment", recorded at our "Purple Reign" concert series in April 2026:
Mark Butler’s arrangement of "Signs of the Judgment" is a tour de force of modern spiritual choral writing—and a perfect window into the energy and artistic rigor of an AfterGlow rehearsal and performance:
Propulsive Rhythmic Energy: The piece builds from an intense, low-register groove into an unstoppable, syncopated motor that demands absolute rhythmic clarity from every section.
Intricate Vocal Layering: Butler weaves relentless call-and-response motifs between voice parts, layering rhythmic declarations that lock together to create an intoxicating, momentum-driven texture.
Explosive Dynamic Contrast: From whisper-quiet, suspenseful verses to thunderous, full-throated climaxes, the arrangement stretches our dynamic range to its limits, requiring total vocal control and passionate expression.
Soulful Artistry: It highlights AfterGlow’s core strength: bringing deep musical discipline, vibrant tone, and genuine emotional investment to high-energy spiritual literature.
Repertoire Highlights for "Ring Dem Bells"
Our holiday program spans sacred masterworks, classic carols, traditional spirituals, uplifting gospel, and modern choral settings:
Sacred Masterworks & Modern Gems: "O magnum mysterium" (Victoria), "Bogoroditse Devo" (Rachmaninoff), "Es ist ein Rose entsprungen" (Praetorius), and "O Nata Lux" (composed by AfterGlow's own Eric Gilbert).
Classic Carols, Holiday Favorites & Smooth Soul: "Light of a Clear Blue Morning" (Dolly Parton, arr. Craig Hella Johnson), "Silent Night" (arr. The Temptations), and "I'll Be Home for Christmas" (arr. Mac Huff).
Fiery & Soulful Spirituals: "Little Innocent Lamb" (arr. Stacey V. Gibbs), "Peter, Go Ring Them Bells" (arr. Roderick Williams), "Ain't That a Rockin'" (arr. Stacey V. Gibbs), and "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" (arr. Robert Fountain).
Uplifting Gospel: "Go Tell It on the Mountain" (arr. The Myra Walker Singers).
What to Expect at Your Audition
Auditions for our Oakland choir are friendly, private, and designed to help you succeed. The audition consists of three simple parts:
A short, prepared a cappella song of your choice (any genre that shows off your voice).
Brief vocalizing to check your vocal range.
A short sight-singing and ear-testing exercise.
Oakland Rehearsal & Audition Details
Rehearsal Location: St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave, Oakland, CA 94610 (Adams Point / Lake Merritt)
Rehearsals Begin: Monday, October 26, 2026
Concert Dates: Sunday, December 6 & Saturday, December 12, 2026
Rosters are filling quickly. Submit your audition request today to secure your spot in our choir for the holiday season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are AfterGlow Chorus rehearsals and auditions held in Oakland?
Rehearsals and auditions are held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, located at 114 Montecito Ave, Oakland, CA 94610 in Adams Point near Lake Merritt. The church is convenient to 19th St BART and Freeways 880, 580, and 24.
What is the audition process for AfterGlow Chorus in Oakland?
Auditions for our choir consist of three parts:
A short, prepared a cappella song of your choice (any genre).
Brief vocalizing to check your range.
A short sight-singing and ear-testing exercise.
When do rehearsals start for the December holiday concerts?
Rehearsals begin on Monday, October 26, 2026, leading up to concerts on Sunday, December 6 and Saturday, December 12, 2026.
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