Calling all children who love to sing, dance and perform!
California Revels warmly invites you to audition for our 2024 production:
Midwinter Revels - A Celtic Celebration of the Solstice.
California Revels warmly invites you to audition for our 2024 production:
Midwinter Revels - A Celtic Celebration of the Solstice.
If you’ve ever seen our theatrical production, you know that at the heart of every Revels production are our community adult’s and children’s choruses, who bring traditional music to life through singing, dancing and revelry. These volunteer singers rehearse throughout the fall, immersing in traditional music and folk dance. (This year’s theme is Celtic music, culture, and holiday traditions.) Then, at Solstice time, they take the stage in colorful period costume, giving their all to create a performance to remember.
BIPOC singers are especially encouraged to audition. You can view our complete statement on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity Action (IDEA) here.
BIPOC singers are especially encouraged to audition. You can view our complete statement on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity Action (IDEA) here.
what we seek
California Revels Children’s Chorus seeks children ages 7 - 12 who love to dance, sing and perform, and who are eager to put on a great show. Revels children’s chorus members are team players who love musical learning and can focus for the duration of a ninety minute rehearsal on musical learning that is fun, rigorous, and embodied. Some children who join us have prior choral or performance experience. Others do not. Experience is less important than natural musicality, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn.
Children’s chorus members need to have the following capacities:
Children’s chorus members need to have the following capacities:
- A good ear (ability to match pitch and rhythmic phrasing)
- Ability to focus and take direction
- Ability to memorize music & lyrics
- Ability to follow simple dance steps in a group
- Enthusiasm to participate
- Resilience & flexibility (since putting on a big production like this has a lot of moving parts!)
WHAT WE PROVIDE
Revels children’s chorus members receive:
Here are some of the personal qualities we help cultivate in our young singers:
- World class instruction in singing, folk dance and theatrical performance (for free!)
- Participation in a vibrant, intergenerational community of traditional music lovers
- A galvanizing cultural experience that will call to the very best in your child
- Memories to last a lifetime!
Here are some of the personal qualities we help cultivate in our young singers:
- Self-confidence
- Focus
- Musicianship
- Diligence
- Personal responsibility
- Healthy vocal technique
- Stage presence
- Knowledge of traditional music
- Fun, imagination and playfulness
ABOUT THE AUDITION
We care about kids, and prioritize creating a rehearsal experience that feels fun, nurturing, and supportive. Please come prepared to stay for the entire two hours.
The audition will consist of the following steps:
The audition will consist of the following steps:
- Auditioners will play a name game to get to know each other.
- All children will learn a simple song by ear together, which they will sing in small groups in a round.
- Each child will sing solo and accompanied, either “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” or “Happy Birthday”.
- Auditioners will play an improv theater game, emphasizing fun, play and collaboration.
TIME COMMITMENT
Californa Revels requires a substantial time commitment. In general, we meet Sunday afternoons, with additional days listed below. Participating children commit to missing no more than one rehearsal, except in case of illness or injury.
Your child’s participation requires parent involvement as well. Chorus parents support the group by rotating to volunteer to be present for rehearsal, and through supervising home practice. The expectation is that the children will practice songs, dances, and vocal warmups daily between meetings, for the same number of minutes as their age.
Your child’s participation requires parent involvement as well. Chorus parents support the group by rotating to volunteer to be present for rehearsal, and through supervising home practice. The expectation is that the children will practice songs, dances, and vocal warmups daily between meetings, for the same number of minutes as their age.
CHILDREN’S chorus call schedule
HOW MANY CHILDREN in the chorus?
Twelve children will be chosen for the children’s chorus.
For any children not chosen for the chorus, we will provide a list of alternate local singing opportunities for your child. No matter what, we want to help your child keep singing.
Any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Children's Chorus Director, Noe Venable:
[email protected]
For any children not chosen for the chorus, we will provide a list of alternate local singing opportunities for your child. No matter what, we want to help your child keep singing.
Any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Children's Chorus Director, Noe Venable:
[email protected]