For the 2021-22 season, we are planning to offer two ensembles—NOVA Chorale (60 singers) and NOVA VOCE (16 singers), both SATB ensembles. Membership in these ensembles is by audition only—all singers must audition/re-audition for consideration of placement. Audition information is below. NOVA Chorale will present a fall concert on Sunday 10/24 and a winter concert on Sunday 12/19. NOVA VOCE will present a concert on Friday 12/3. Full schedule information is below.

AUDITIONS

All singers are required to audition in person for consideration of placement in one or both ensembles. All members of NOVA VOCE must be members of NOVA Chorale. Auditions will take place in person by appointment with Dr. Frazier. Appointments will be set based on singer answers to the audition request form below. Singers should prepare their preferred voice part for Thomas Tallis’ “If ye love me,” via the button at the bottom of this page, and will sing their part a cappella and alone. Singer rosters and marked scores for preparation/performance will be released on August 10; first rehearsals are August 15.

Auditions will begin on August 1 and will run through August 7 by appointment. To start the audition scheduling process, please fill out the Google form via the button below. Singers who cannot attend any of the scheduled audition appointments should email Meg directly to set up an audition appointment that fits their schedule. If you have trouble accessing the form, please make sure you’re using the Chrome browser; you may have to log into your Google account before accessing the form.

WHERE
Auditions will take place at Loyola University's choir room (corner of St. Charles and Calhoun, 2nd floor of the music building, room 230).

ATTENDANCE/PREPARATION REQUIRED

Singers accepted into an ensemble are required to attend all rehearsals in preparation for concerts. We have limited preparation time to get to excellence. Exceptions for serious illness/family emergency are permitted but should be rare. Singers who miss the final rehearsal prior to a performance may not perform that concert. Singers are expected to prepare pitches/rhythms ON THEIR OWN prior to the next rehearsal; singers who regularly come unprepared to rehearsal will be removed from the ensemble. Singers are encouraged to sing both Chorale performances; however, if there is a schedule conflict, singers ARE able to specify one or the other of the Chorale performances on the audition form below.

SCHEDULE for FALL 2021

Sun 8/1-Sat 8/7 Auditions via individual schedule

CHORALE rehearses every Sunday from 5:30-7:30 EXCEPT 9/5 and 10/31; no rehearsals after 12/19 performance. All rehearsals will take place at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church.

VOCE rehearses every Sunday from 4:00-5:30 EXCEPT 9/5, 10/24, 10/31, and 11/7; no rehearsals after 12/3 performance. All rehearsals will take place at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church.

PERFORMANCES

CHORALE: Sunday October 24 7:30

VOCE: Friday December 3 7:30

CHORALE: Sunday 12/19 7:30

DONATED FEES

NOVA’s Board of Trustees has approved a donated fee of $25 per singer per concert for singers participating in the NOVA Chorale. Singers with financial hardship may email Dr. Frazier for a waiver; singers who wish to donate for another singer, named or general, are welcomed to do so with our thanks. We are in the process of setting up digital payment options for donated fees and will alert all singers when those are operational.

VACCINE REQUIRED

We are aware that the health situation in New Orleans is greatly improved and continues to improve—this is great news for choral musicians! Because singing has been proven to be an enhanced transmission activity for COVID, we are requiring proof of vaccination for participation in any NOVA activity, including auditions. Singers should have completed their full vaccine (2nd dose, if Moderna or Pfizer) at least two full weeks prior to auditions.