Frequently Asked Questions

1. What will the audition be like?

2. What is The St. Cecilia Chorus?

3. Who are the members?

4. Who is the conductor?

5. What are you singing this year?

6. What are the dues?

7. When and where are rehearsals?

8. What can I expect at rehearsals?

9. Am I required to sell a certain number of tickets?

10. How do I obtain the music?

11. What do we wear at concerts?

1. What will the audition be like?

Relax! We want you, or we wouldn't be holding auditions. You'll be asked to sing – at sight – some passages from the standard choral literature, to determine your sight-reading ability, the quality and range of your voice, and your ability to follow the conductor. The auditioners are completely sympathetic, and they understand that you might be nervous. So don't worry if you make mistakes; you'll be given several chances.

2. What is The St. Cecilia Chorus?

The St. Cecilia Chorus is a completely secular organization with no religious affiliation and no connection with any church or other organization. (When the chorus was founded in 1906, it was named after the patron saint of music.) We are an autonomous, not-for-profit organization, supported by dues, ticket sales, and contributions. The entire Board of Directors and all the Officers are elected from the singing membership of the chorus.

3. Who are the members?

We have a diverse membership numbering approximately 160 mixed voices and are open to anyone who qualifies musically. Many times, new members have told us that this is the friendliest group they've ever joined. We work hard and seriously on the music, but we also enjoy our rehearsals and each other's company enormously.

4. Who is the conductor?

David Randolph. We are pleased to say that he has been our conductor since 1965. Well known in the world of classical music, he appears in Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in America, Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians, The International Who's Who in Music, and The Dictionary of International Biography. His book, This Is Music, was designated one of the "Best of the Year" by The New York Times. It was re-published in the spring of 1998. He was also the conductor of the original Masterwork Chorus, from its founding in 1955 until 1993.

For more information, please see our conductor's page.

5. What are you singing this year?

Please see our performance schedule for a description of our current season's program. You can also review our repertoire since 1966.

6. What are the dues?

$150 per year, payable by the first rehearsal in November. (No qualified person has ever been refused membership because of an inability to pay dues. A brief, fully confidential conversation with our President will take care of any special needs.)

7. When and where are rehearsals?

We rehearse every week, from the first Monday after Labor Day in September, to the last Monday before Memorial Day in May (except Christmas and New Year's Day), from 7:30 to 10:00 PM, at the Turtle Bay Music School, 244 East 52nd St., just west of 2nd Ave., in Manhattan.

8. What can I expect at rehearsals?

Our rehearsals are devoted mainly to interpretation. As almost all works are sung in the original languages, you will be coached in the languages at rehearsals. Assignments are made each week, and singers are expected to learn the notes by themselves. Of course, we do go over the notes of very difficult or tricky passages. Any member who misses more than three rehearsals in preparation for any concert must confer with the Music Director and may be required to re-audition to insure that the required music and interpretation have been learned.

9. Am I required to sell a certain number of tickets?

All members who plan to sing in a Carnegie Hall concert are expected to sell 4 tickets to that concert. Your enthusiasm for the music will probably help you do that.

10. How do I obtain the music?

Each singer purchases his or her own music, which is available for sale at rehearsals.

11. What do we wear at concerts?

Women: Long (ankle-length) black skirt or dress slacks; black, long-sleeved blouse; black shoes (small black purse is optional).
Men: Tuxedo or black suit, white shirt, black shoes, black socks, and black bow tie.