Select your audition type
Audition Overview
Audition for the 2025 Midwinter Revels Adult Chorus
Adult Chorus auditions for the 2025 Midwinter Revels will be held May 31 – June 2, 2025.
Audition Schedule:
Saturday, May 31: 3 – 7 PM
Sunday, June 1: 5 – 8 PM
Monday, June 2: 7 – 9 PM
Auditions will take place at 80 Mt Auburn Street Watertown, MA 02472
Sign-ups available soon!
Revels uses the title “Midwinter Revels” to more accurately describe our diverse seasonal celebrations. Although in the past we have invited and included performers and material of all faith backgrounds under the banner of The Christmas Revels, we are taking the opportunity going forward to be more inclusive in emphasizing the secular aspects of our popular seasonal event. We hope that you will join us in joyfully widening our circle of friends and community. Read more here.
Great joy to the new!
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Criteria
Revels cast members are people who love to sing, who sing vigorously and accurately with a good sense of rhythm, and who can hold their own part in a choral context. Some are experienced choral singers, some are not. Sight-reading is not necessary, but a good ear and the ability to memorize music and text are. We also look for a variety of ages, sizes, and personalities to create a realistic “village” on stage. BIPOC singers are highly encouraged to audition.
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Audition Preparation
For your audition for Midwinter Revels, please be prepared to sing two unaccompanied songs.
For your first selection, please sing one of the songs listed below. For your second selection, you may sing a song of your choice.
- Deck the Hall
- The Holly and the Ivy
- The Boar’s Head Carol
- Or another similar carol
During the hour-long session, each auditionee will have a ~5-minute solo slot with Elijah, the Music Director, and Debra, the Artistic Director to sing the two songs they have prepared and read lines. While waiting for the other seven people in their time slot, they will be taught a short dance to see how they move (if they are interested in dancing in the show) and have time to practice the group singing portion, before returning to the directors as a full group to sing. If you are interested in dancing in the show, please come dressed to move, with no flip-flops or open-toed shoes.Everyone will be asked to sing a group piece. You will be taught this at the audition, but if you want to look over the music beforehand you may. This piece will serve as an opportunity to hear how you can blend with other voices.Music for the group selection will be posted soon. -
Rehearsal Commitment
Performing in Revels is a big commitment. Throughout October and November, we generally hold 1-2 weeknight rehearsals a week, with three “all-day” Saturday rehearsals.
PLEASE NOTE: Most rehearsals will be held on Mondays this fall, not Tuesdays. This change is a result of having to change rehearsal locations.
The 2025 rehearsal schedule will be announced soon.
Rehearsal locations will be announced soon.
ADULT WEEKDAY REHEARSALS: 7 – 9:30 PM
*Dance rehearsals will be held from 6:00 – 6:45 PM, prior to evening rehearsals, likely starting with a dance audition in September, for all who are interested.
SATURDAY REHEARSALS: 9 – 5 PM
All-day rehearsal dates will be announced soon.
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Tech Week and Performance Schedule
TECH WEEK: December 8 – 10, 6 PM – 11 PM
DRESS REHEARSAL: December 11, 5:30 PM call
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE (Subject to Change):
December 12 – 28
Show schedule will be announced soon!
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About This Year's Production
Show information will be announced soon!
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Our Diversity Statement
Diversity is a fundamental element in Revels’ musical and theatrical productions. Through music, dance, and storytelling, we celebrate the seasonal and cultural traditions of our world, honoring and upholding the differences that make individuals and cultures truly unique and reminding us of the universal values that connect us all. This principle guides our organizational approach with events, educational programs, performers, audience, volunteers, partners, and staff. We offer an open, creative space that welcomes every person to help shape and take part in our distinctive community experiences.
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Opportunity Fund
Revels commits to diversifying all aspects of our productions. To achieve this, we have created the Revels Opportunity Fund to make it possible for any interested person to participate in our volunteer auditioned chorus for The Midwinter Revels. The Opportunity Fund will help to cover the costs of transportation, childcare, and other expenses that might make it difficult to participate in our annual flagship production. We welcome every person to help shape and take part in our distinctive community experiences. More details on the Revels Opportunity Fund will be available in June.
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Youth Protection
The Revels Youth Protection Policy was adopted by the board in June 2016. If you are eighteen or older and accepted into the Midwinter Revels Adult Chorus please note your acceptance will be pending a CORI check. If you have any questions contact Administrative Service Manager Jen Sur at jsur@revels.org.
Review Revels Youth Protection Policies here.
Review CORI Procedures here.
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Revels Health and Safety
The safety and well-being of all our participants is an ongoing priority. The Revels Health and Safety Committee meets regularly to monitor public health data, trends and best practices, and strongly recommends that Midwinter Revels chorus members are up to date on flu and COVID boosters in the fall and RSV vaccination if applicable. Masking is currently optional, although Revels retains the right to institute protocols including testing and masking if indicated.
Audition Requirements
What to Expect at Your Audition
What songs should I prepare?
For your first selection, please sing one of the songs listed below. For your second selection, you may sing a song of your choice.
- Deck the Hall
- The Holly and the Ivy
- The Boar’s Head Carol
- Or another similar carol
Group Singing
Movement
Adult Chorus Audition Dates
Auditions will be held Saturday – Monday, May 31 – June 2. Auditioners will sign up for one hour-long slot.
Audition Schedule:
Saturday, May 31: 3 – 7 PM
Sunday, June 1: 5 – 8 PM
Monday, June 2: 7 – 9 PM
Audition sign-ups will be open soon!
Auditions will be held at 80 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472
Saturday, May 31st — 3 PM - 7 PM
Sunday, June 1st — 5 PM - 8 PM
Monday, June 2nd — 7 PM - 9 PM
Rehearsal Schedule
Adult Chorus Rehearsal Commitments
PLEASE NOTE: Most rehearsals will be held on Mondays this fall, not Tuesdays. This change is a result of having to change rehearsal locations.
All weekday rehearsals will take place at the First Parish of Watertown, 35 Church Street, Watertown, MA 02472. The location of Saturday rehearsals will be announced soon.
This year’s rehearsal schedule for the adult chorus is as follows:
Rehearsal locations and schedule will be confirmed soon. Weekday ehearsals will be held on Mondays.
ADULT CHORUS WEEKDAY REHEARSALS: 7 – 9:30 PM
SATURDAY REHEARSALS: 9 – 5 PM
All-day rehearsal schedules and locations will be confirmed soon. There will be 3 all-day rehearsals during the rehearsal process.
TECH WEEK:
December 8, 5 – 9:30 PM
December 9, 5 – 9:30 PM
December 10, 5 – 10:30 PM
DRESS REHEARSAL: December 11, 5:30 PM call
PERFORMANCES: December 12 – 28, 2025
Performance schedule will be confirmed soon.
Weekday Rehearsal Location TBD
Performance Location
Sanders Theatre
45 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138
Performance Schedule - To Be Announced Soon!
NOTICE: The adult chorus is called one and a half hours before all performances
Audition Overview
Audition for the 2025 Midwinter Revels Children's Chorus
Children’s Chorus auditions for the 2025 Midwinter Revels will be held May 31 – June 2, 2025.
Audition Schedule:
Saturday, May 31: 11 AM – 1 PM
Sunday, June 1: 2 – 4 PM
Monday, June 2: 3 – 5 PM
Auditions will take place at 80 Mt Auburn Street Watertown, MA 02472
Sign-ups available soon!
Revels uses the title “Midwinter Revels” to more accurately describe our diverse seasonal celebrations. Although in the past we have invited and included performers and material of all faith backgrounds under the banner of The Christmas Revels, we are taking the opportunity going forward to be more inclusive in emphasizing the secular aspects of our popular seasonal event. We hope that you will join us in joyfully widening our circle of friends and community. Read more here.
Great joy to the new!
Great joy to the new!
-
Criteria
Revels Children’s Chorus members are kids who love to sing and dance, love to be on stage, and are excited to work with their fellow cast members to put on a great show! Some kids have prior choral experience, and some do not. Sight-reading is not necessary, but a good ear and the ability to memorize music and text are.
The age range for the children’s chorus is generally 7 through 12. We try to get a range of ages, heights, personalities, races, and ethnicities, just as we do in the adult chorus.
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Audition Preparation
The audition process will take a half hour and consist of the following steps:
- Auditioners will play a name game with artistic staff to get to know each other.
- Each child will sing Happy Birthday or Feliz Cumpleaños acapella.
- Each child will sing a prepared solo of their choice acapella.
- All children will learn Row, Row Row Your Boat and sing it in small groups as a round.
- Auditioners will play a movement game that will emphasize group play and imagination.
* Each child should prepare a short unaccompanied song to sing; this should be something simple that they are comfortable with and enjoy singing (something from school or camp, a carol, folk song, etc — no pop songs, please). If you’re unsure about what to choose, feel free to email James Templeton (Jtempleton@revels.org) to brainstorm an appropriate song.
-
Rehearsal Commitment
Performing in Revels is a big commitment. Throughout October and November, we generally hold 1-2 weeknight rehearsals a week, with three “all-day” Saturday rehearsals.
PLEASE NOTE: Most rehearsals will be held on Mondays this fall, not Tuesdays. This change is a result of having to change rehearsal locations.
The 2025 rehearsal schedule will be announced soon.
Rehearsal locations will be announced soon.
CHILDREN’S WEEKDAY REHEARSALS: 4 – 5:30 PM
SATURDAY REHEARSALS: 9 – 5 PM
All-day rehearsal dates will be announced soon.
-
Tech Week and Performance Schedule
TECH WEEK:
December 8, 5 – 9:30 PM
December 9, 5 – 9:30 PM
December 10, 5 – 10:30 PMDRESS REHEARSAL: December 11, 5:30 PM call
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE (Subject to Change):
December 12 – 28
Show schedule will be announced soon!
-
About This Year's Production
Show information will be announced soon!
-
Our Diversity Statement
Diversity is a fundamental element in Revels’ musical and theatrical productions. Through music, dance, and storytelling, we celebrate the seasonal and cultural traditions of our world, honoring and upholding the differences that make individuals and cultures truly unique and reminding us of the universal values that connect us all. This principle guides our organizational approach with events, educational programs, performers, audience, volunteers, partners, and staff. We offer an open, creative space that welcomes every person to help shape and take part in our distinctive community experiences.
-
Opportunity Fund
Revels commits to diversifying all aspects of our productions. To achieve this, we have created the Revels Opportunity Fund to make it possible for any interested person to participate in our volunteer auditioned chorus for The Midwinter Revels. The Opportunity Fund will help to cover the costs of transportation, childcare, and other expenses that might make it difficult to participate in our annual flagship production. We welcome every person to help shape and take part in our distinctive community experiences. More details on the Revels Opportunity Fund will be available later this summer.
-
Youth Protection
The Revels Youth Protection Policy was adopted by the board in June 2016. All Midwinter Revels cast members eighteen and older will be required to pass a CORI check in order to be a member of the cast. If you have any questions contact Administrative Service Manager Jen Sur at jsur@revels.org.
Review Revels Youth Protection Policies here.
Review CORI Procedures here.
-
Revels Health and Safety
The safety and well-being of all our participants is an ongoing priority. The Revels Health and Safety Committee meets regularly to monitor public health data, trends and best practices, and strongly recommends that Midwinter Revels chorus members are up to date on flu and COVID boosters in the fall and RSV vaccination if applicable. Masking is currently optional, although Revels retains the right to institute protocols including testing and masking if indicated.
Audition Requirements
How to Prepare for your Children's Chorus Audition
The audition process will take a half hour and consist of the following steps:
- Auditioners will play a name game with artistic staff to get to know each other.
- Each child will sing Happy Birthday or Feliz Cumpleaños acapella.
- Each child will sing a prepared solo of their choice acapella.
- All children will learn Row, Row, Row Your Boat and sing it in small groups as a round.
- Auditioners will play a movement game that will emphasize group play and imagination.
* Each child should prepare a short unaccompanied song to sing; this should be something simple that they are comfortable with and enjoy singing (something from school or camp, a carol, folk song, etc — no pop songs, please). If you’re unsure about what to choose, feel free to email James Templeton (Jtempleton@revels.org) to brainstorm an appropriate song.
Children's Chorus Audition Schedule
Auditions will be held Saturday – Monday, May 31 – June 2. Auditioners will sign up for one half hour-long slot.
Audition Schedule:
Saturday, May 31: 11 AM – 1 PM
Sunday, June 1: 2 – 4 PM
Monday, June 2: 3 – 5 PM
Audition sign-ups will be open soon!
Auditions will be held at 80 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472
Saturday, May 31st — 11 AM - 1 PM
Saturday, June 1st — 2 PM - 4 PM
Monday, June 2nd — 3 PM - 5 PM
Rehearsal Schedule
Children's Chorus Rehearsal Commitments
Rehearsal locations and schedule will be confirmed soon. Rehearsals will be held on Mondays.
CHILDREN’S WEEKDAY REHEARSALS: 4 – 5:30 PM
SATURDAY REHEARSALS: 9 – 5 PM
All-day rehearsal schedules and locations will be confirmed soon. There will be 3 all-day rehearsals during the rehearsal process.
TECH WEEK:
December 8, 5 – 9:30 PM
December 9, 5 – 9:30 PM
December 10, 5 – 10:30 PM
DRESS REHEARSAL: December 11, 5:30 PM call
PERFORMANCES: December 12 – 28, 2025
Performance schedule will be confirmed soon.
Rehearsal Locations – TBD
Performance Location
Sanders Theatre
45 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138
Performance Schedule - To Be Announced Soon!
NOTICE: The children’s chorus is called two hours before all performances.
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