Experience the power of women and song:
Join the Indianapolis Women's Chorus
IWC AUDITIONS
IWC auditions are held once a year in August. All treble-voice singers (sopranos and altos), including cisgender and transgender women as well as non-binary people, are encouraged to audition.
Our auditions for 2023-2024 are closed at this time. Please feel free to fill out an interest form for 2024-2025 auditions, which will take place in early August 2024.
Our auditions for 2023-2024 are closed at this time. Please feel free to fill out an interest form for 2024-2025 auditions, which will take place in early August 2024.
Auditions are intended to be low-stress. They are really just a chance for us to get to know you and determine if you can match pitch. Also, we want to find the right section (soprano, alto, etc.) for you to sing in.
We will offer some familiar songs for you to choose from, or you’re welcome to bring your own music. You’ll only need to sing one verse. We’ll also do some simple scales and echoing so we can learn about your range and vocal skills. Sight-reading exercises are part of the audition to be in some small ensembles, but are not required for general singer membership.
Your audition should take about 5-10 minutes. Please arrive a few minutes early to fill out an audition form.
If you are unable to attend the upcoming open rehearsal and auditions, but are still interested in auditioning, please indicate that on the form, and we will work to make other arrangements with you.
SOME THINGS YOU MAY WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IWC:
WHO WE ARE. The chorus is a supportive and friendly group of inclusive women — we are young and old (18-70+), of many faiths and backgrounds, with a variety of sexual orientations and genders. We come from all musical backgrounds, from complete beginners, to seasoned amateurs, to music professionals. Indianapolis Women's Chorus sings diverse and powerful music to build an inclusive community, inspire change, and nurture the human spirit. See more about our mission and values HERE.
WHAT WE SING. We sing music that gives voice to the experiences of women and honors women’s lives, as well as music that expresses our common humanity with all people. We continually work to be more inclusive and expansive in our programming, and sing music that demonstrates our values and mission from the perspective of equity, accessibility, inclusion, belonging, and justice. We sing a wide range of music, including: chants (ancient and modern), medieval music, religious music from many traditions, jazz, feminist/women’s movement music, spirituals, music of global vocal traditions, newly composed choral works, and more. Our repertoire has included standards of the classical choral repertoire, and always features music composed by women, from historical composers to those working and innovating today. Music is woven together to create a moving and memorable experience for singers and audience.
HOW WE SING. Singers do not need to have prior choral experience in order to join IWC, and we welcome singers at a variety of skill levels. Music reading is very helpful, but is not required. Some of our repertoire is learned by ear and taught by example. Many of our songs are performed from memory. However, ALL singers (from beginners to professionals) will find something to challenge them in IWC!
WHEN WE SING. We generally rehearse on Sunday evenings from 5:00 - 7:30 pm, August to June at First Mennonite Church (4601 Knollton Rd., Indianapolis). Our first full rehearsal was August 20. We typically meet through the middle of June. Small ensembles may meet at other times. We have occasional additional rehearsals, an annual retreat, and social events such as pitch-ins. During the 2023-2024 season, we have concerts on October 1 and December 9-10, as well as March 8-10 and May 18-19, along with a number of smaller community performances.
MEMBER EXPECTATIONS. Members are expected to be prepared and present at each rehearsal, work toward musical excellence as a contributing member of the group, and perform at season concerts and extra gigs if possible. Volunteering behind the scenes is encouraged for continuing members, and new members are always welcome to jump on board and share their skills. Members are responsible for their own performance attire (more details to come!), and pay an annual membership fee. Financial assistance is available. A Chorus Handbook will be provided to each member through our shared chorus member website. All members are expected to review and comply with the policies outlined in the handbook.
If you have questions about auditions, please email Sherry DuBois at aaa@indianapoliswomenschorus.org.
Last updated: August 29, 2023
