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How to Audition for the Adult Choruses

The below instructions were applicable for the Spring/Summer 2026 Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and Blossom Festival Chorus auditions. They are also typical of the expectations for any round of auditions. If you are thinking about auditioning in the future, you can anticipate the same requirements with a different required excerpt.

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Not ready to audition just yet? If you wish to be notified of future audition opportunities, please sign up via the button below.

STEP 1

Complete the online application

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Each auditionee must complete the ONLINE AUDITION APPLICATION. (The application is a Google survey.) 

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Be prepared to tell us some specifics about your music background and your previous choral experiences. The application should be completed no later than 4 days prior to the scheduled audition.

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STEP 2

Prepare your chosen solo(s)

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  • The spring/summer 2026 audition process for the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus requires one chosen solo piece in English, French, Italian, or German. If only auditioning for the Blossom Festival Chorus, one solo is also required, but may be in any language.​

 

  • Repertoire may be art song, aria, or Broadway.

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  • Solos do not need to be memorized, but must have piano accompaniment (no a cappella singing). An accompanist will be provided.

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Need some ideas for your solo? Tired of dusting off the same old tune? We've got some suggestions to share.

 

STEP 3

Prepare the required excerpt(s)*

​*Note that the required excerpt changes with each audition series.

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Whether auditioning for the Blossom Festival Chorus OR the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus or both, you will need to prepare the provided audition excerpt(s). For spring/summer 2026 auditions, there will be three COC excerpts and one BFC excerpt. If auditioning for both, you should follow the COC requirements.

 

Note that there will be a variety of learning aids available to you in the form of foreign language diction, music study tracks, and a separate accompaniment-only track for the excerpts. These are the same materials provided to the COC for rehearsing at home.  You can find everything you need on the AUDITION EXCERPT page.

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STEP 4

Schedule an audition appointment

Visit our Scheduling Page to select an audition date and time. Be prepared to provide your chosen solo repertoire (composers and titles of your audition pieces) at the time of your booking.

 

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What to Expect at Your Audition

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  • Make sure that you have enough copies of your solo. You will hand one to the director and one to the pianist, and have one for yourself (unless you have them memorized, which is NOT a requirement).

  • Bring your copy of the required excerpt. We will provide copies for the director and pianist, and have an extra for you if needed, but you may prefer to use your own copy with your personal notes.

  • Be sure to warm up in advance. Our audition venues do not typically allow for separate warm-up spaces.

  • The director may assess your ability to sight-read as part of the audition.

  • In addition to hearing your solo and the excerpts, the directors will want to hear more about your singing background and why you are interested in our choruses. They may also guide you through some simple vocal exercises so they can hear your range.

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If you have trouble completing any part of the online audition process, please do not hesitate to contact the Chorus Office at chorus@clevelandorchestra.com.

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