July 8th, 2008

Auditions for our 2010-11 season
Auditions will be held in August, exact dates are TBD. To be placed on the contact list, call 202-399-7993 ext 182 or email Debby McConnell, Admin Director at debby_mcconnell@congressionalchorus.org

Building To Be Bigger And Better
The Congressional Chorus, under the leadership of Dave Simmons, is a 75-voice ensemble with a steadily improving level of musical quality, an outstanding educational-outreach program in the American Youth Chorus and a range of other community services during the coming year. The Chorus has joined the Atlas Performing Arts family of resident companies, giving us a real home on Capitol Hill.

The Chorus succeeds because we have a solid base and a special niche in American music. Blessed with an excellent, committed group of singers, we are continually reaching out for new members through an open auditions process. All rehearsals (and auditions) are held at the Atlas Theater; address and directions are listed below:

Atlas Performing Arts Center
1333 H Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 399-7993 x182

Acceptance into the Chorus is based on a number of factors including but not limited to intonation, technique, sight reading skills, vocal quality and previous choral experience.

Rehearsals
Rehearsals are held every Monday evening from 7:00 – 9:30, September through June. The upcoming season includes a free holiday concert in December and three major concerts in 2010-11.

Dues
Dues for membership in the chorus (which pay for your music and rehearsal expenses) are $250 for the year, with the first half collected at the first rehearsal in September, and the other half at the first rehearsal in January. If a singer cannot afford to pay in full, a very limited number of scholarships are available, based on need. Members requiring financial assistance will be given a variety of volunteer opportunities to complete in lieu of paying dues.

Other expectations
Singers are often asked to help with some of the logistics for a concert, such as helping to set up, distribute fliers, and clean up for concert events, and other tasks. Members are also expected to promote ticket sales and help with fundraising. Our friends and families form an important part of our audience, and we hope that members will be excited to sell tickets to all of our performances.