The all-volunteer choir of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will hold auditions from June 1 to Aug. 15.
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square has a total of 360 volunteer individuals who use their musical talents to perform 75 scheduled performances each year, including a weekly, 30-minute live broadcast show, Music & the Spoken Word, concerts, tours and recordings. All choir members dedicate between five and 20 hours each week.
It’s a nine-month process to become a member of the Choir. Ages 25 to 55 are eligible to participate. According to The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square website, there are four phases in the Choir’s recruiting process.
The first phase consists of submitting a completed electronic application, which includes a digital photo and a digital voice recording. The Choir requests recommendation from local Church leaders upon submission of the application. The link to the digital application and an application guide is posted online each year on June 1. All applications must be completed and submitted electronically no later than August 15. Applicants who advance to the second phase will be notified by email in early September.
The second phase is a two-and-a-half-hour written and aural assessment that measures musical ability and aptitude. This assessment usually takes place on a Saturday in mid-September. Applicants with acceptable test scores, usually 80% or better, advance to the next phase.
The third phase begins with an interview with the Choir president to be sure the candidate understands the demands of Choir membership. Next is an in-person audition before the Choir’s music director and associate music director, which includes solo singing, vocal range testing and sight reading. The interviews and in-person auditions usually take place in mid-October. The Choir sends audition results via email by mid-November.
The fourth phase consists of participation in Choir School and the Chorale at Temple Square. The 16-week training course takes place each Tuesday and Thursday night, and applicants commit to 100% attendance over the four-month period.
For more information, or to submit an application, check out the Tabernacle Choir’s website.