Fall 2026 Choral Audition Information

Information for auditions for The Madison Singers, Treble Chamber Choir, & assignments to the University Soprano/Alto & Tenor/Bass Ensembles is coming soon.

All JMU Undergraduate Vocal Area personnel who are registered for voice lessons in the fall 2026 semester are required to audition, regardless of prior or projected ensemble participation (including opera roles and castings).

Auditions will be held on:

• Tuesday, August 25: 4:00-9:00pm
• Wednesday, August 26: throughout the day and evening, as indicated on audition schedule
• Thursday, August 27: morning only, as indicated on audition schedule

Please sign up for your audition via our online scheduling software: https://jmu.jury-system.com. The signup window is open as of July 1, 2026.

• User accounts are created automatically by clicking the "Login" link in the main menu and logging in through the JMU portal and Okta two-factor authentication system. Enter your JMU credentials.
• Once logged in, proceed to the Booking Tab.
• Follow the listed instructions and sign up for an audition time.
• Please note the audition room listed on the sign-up form.

Remember that Wednesday, August 26, is our first full day of regularly scheduled classes, so please check your class schedule. Choral ensemble auditions are not excused absences from classes. 

If you need to change your audition time, please follow the jury system's instructions accordingly. You will receive a cancellation code when you register, just in case.

Audition results notifications will be sent out via Canvas and will be posted on the bulletin board outside Dr. V's office (room 338) on or before noon on Thursday, August 27.

In order to be respectful of rehearsal time and curricular needs, rehearsals for non-auditioned ensembles will begin on Wednesday, August 26, even if auditions are not fully completed. Personnel shifts due to auditions will be credited with full attendance in their assigned ensemble(s).

Choral Audition Procedures:

• Please note that this semester there will be no required aria for choral auditions.
• Required work: Rosephanye Powell: Ring the Bells*, entire piece with repeats.
• Performance information:
  • solfège is E major and F major as indicated.
  • Tempo is dotted quarter note = 63-70bpm (slightly faster than indicated on the score).
• Click here to listed to the required piece.

Audition Instructions:

1. Please present your own voice part on solfège or text as you prefer (the entire piece).
2. mm 27-43: choose a different part and present it on solfège only (this should be a contrasting part from your own).
3. Prepare to sight read a short excerpt.

Helpful Hints for Preparation:

• Listening to this piece is a must for a successful audition. This piece has several repeats and you cannot present it stylistically without first listening to it several times. 
• Please note that there will be no accompaniment at this audition, so you must know the piece well in order to present it. You will get starting pitches either from your tuning fork or playing a note on the piano.
• Bring your own tuning fork if you have one.

The Day of Your Audition:

• Please arrive 15-20 minutes early to your audition to allow for intake paperwork, the audition itself, the sightreading portion of the audition, and schedule shifts.
• Bring your tuning fork, if you have one.
• Dress up; an audition is always a practice for the next concert, solo, or audition. 
• Fill out a Student Information Form* and give it to your door monitor when completed.
• Present the required audition materials following the instructions as indicated above. 
• Sightread from material provided in the audition.

*Please note: Word documents, PDFs, or sheet music may not be fully accessible to all users. If you need assistance or would like to request an accessible version, please contact the necessary applied faculty on our "People" webpage. We are happy to help ensure you have access to the materials you need.

The Madison Singers (MUAP 341/541/641): The Madison Singers is the JMU advanced auditioned choral chamber ensemble. The Madison Singers perform a wide variety of musical genres from the Renaissance to the present, and maintains an active and demanding concert schedule, both on and off campus. This ensemble focuses extensively on advanced techniques of singing, as well as choral and harmonic skills. We explore, prepare and present advanced repertoire that is expressive of the diversity of the human spirit throughout both music history and world cultures. We rehearse to build a high caliber ensemble which functions as a team, empowers its members, brings joy to its audiences and reaches out in service to the wider community. For additional information, please contact Dr. van der Vat-Chromy at vanderjx@jmu.edu.

Meeting Times:

Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 11:30am-12:35pm

Music Building Room 142

The Madison Singers Fall Concert Dates*:

• October 21, 7:30pm with Treble Chamber Choir | Forbes Concert Hall
• December 12, 7:30pm (Holidayfest) | Forbes Concert Hall
• December 13, 2:00pm (Holidayfest) | Forbes Concert Hall

The Treble Chamber Choir (MUAP 235/535): The Treble Chamber Choir (TCC) is the select auditioned soprano and alto ensemble. Consisting of predominantly freshman and sophomore vocal music majors, this ensemble is designed to provide a platform for the discovery and presentation of often untapped advanced treble repertoire. For additional information, please contact Dr. Hayes at hayeswb@jmu.edu.

Meeting Times:

Tuesday/Thursday, 3:55-5:10pm

Music Building Room B71

Treble Chamber Choir Fall Concert Dates*:

• October 21, 7:30pm with The Madison Singers | Forbes Concert Hall
• December 12, 7:30pm (Holidayfest) | Forbes Concert Hall
• December 13, 2:00pm (Holidayfest) | Forbes Concert Hall

University Chorus: Soprano/Alto Ensemble (UCSA) (MUAP 236): The James Madison University Chorus: Soprano/Alto Ensemble (UCSA) is the non-auditioned ensemble component of the JMU University Chorus for soprano and alto voices. Numbering from 60 - 85 voices, the UCSA performs music of various styles and genres as appropriate to the needs and levels of the group, and is appropriate for the beginning to intermediate collegiate singer who desires voice building and musical training. This ensemble performs both on and off campus. For additional information, please contact Dr. van der Vat-Chromy at vanderjx@jmu.edu.

Meeting Times:

Monday/Wednesday, 4:10-5:25pm

Music Building Room 142

University Chorus: Tenor/Bass Ensemble (UCTB) (MUAP 234): The James Madison University Chorus: Tenor/Bass Ensemble is a non-auditioned ensemble open to all tenor and bass voices at JMU. It is offered especially to non-music majors and music majors alike, focusing on vocal pedagogy, musical training, and high-quality singing, while tapping into Tenor/Bass literature. Modeled after the Harvard and Yale Glee Club tradition, this 30-40-voice ensemble performs both on and off-campus, presenting concerts at churches and schools throughout the local area. For more information, please contact Dr. Hayes at hayeswb@jmu.edu.

Meeting Times:

Monday/Wednesday, 4:10-5:25pm

Music Building Room B71

University Choruses (UCSA & UCTB) Fall Concert Dates*:

• October 19, 7:30pm | Forbes Concert Hall
• December 12, 7:30pm (Holidayfest) | Forbes Concert Hall
• Deember 13, 2:00pm (Holidayfest) | Forbes Concert Hall