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Audition Overview
Audition for the 2022 Midwinter Revels Adult Chorus
We are excited to announce that Adult Chorus auditions for our 2023 show, The Midwinter Revels, will take place on the following days:
Friday, June 2
Saturday, June 3
Sunday, June 4
This year we are using 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 this year to be more inclusive in emphasizing the secular aspects of our popular seasonal event. We hope that you will join with 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 2023, please be prepared to sing two unaccompanied songs of contrasting nature (fast/slow, e.g.) with other auditioners in the room. Your selection can be from any era or genre with the exception of “pop” music. Traditional songs, carols, hymns, and early vocal works (Renaissance) are recommended. Often a simple song well sung is more effective than a more complicated one; it helps when you’re sure of the words! Don’t try to impress us with something difficult – just sing something you love and know well. In the interest of time, we will probably stop you after a verse or two rather than hear the whole song.
We will also ask you to sing some scales to get an idea of your vocal range, as well as a few pitch-matching exercises to test your ear. We will then teach a simple round for you to sing with the other auditioners in your group.
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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. This year’s rehearsal schedule for the adult chorus is as follows:
ADULT WEEKDAY REHEARSALS: 7 – 9:30 PM
Tuesday, September 19: Orientation 7 – 9 pm
Tuesday, September 26
Tuesdays, October 2, 10, 17, 24, 31
Tuesdays, November 7, 14, 21, 28
Tuesday, December 5SATURDAY REHEARSALS (TIMES TBA)
Saturday, October 21
Saturday, November 11
Saturday, December 9 -
Tech Week and Performance Schedule
TECH WEEK: December 11 – 13
DRESS REHEARSAL: December 14
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE (Subject to Change):
Dec 15 – 28: 13 performances
Friday, December 15 – 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 16 – 3:00 PM, 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 17 – 1:00 PM, 5:30 PM
Thursday, December 21 – 7:30 PM
Friday, December 22 – 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 23 – 3:00 PM, 7:30 PM
Tuesday, December 26 – 1:00 PM, 5:30 PM
Wednesday, December 27 – 1:00 PM, RESERVED SNOW DAY 5:30 PM
Thursday, December 28 – 1:00 PM -
About This Year's Production
The Midwinter Revels 2023
Directed by Patrick Swanson and Debra Wise; Elijah Botkin, Music DirectorShow information coming 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.
-
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.
Revels Youth Protection Policies here.
CORI Procedures here.
CORI here.
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COVID Policy
COVID Policy for Auditions
- All adult auditioners must be fully vaccinated with at least one booster.
- We are requiring everyone to wear masks while waiting to audition.
- We will have three people auditioning at a time to allow for spacing between people as they audition, and there will be air purifiers running in the audition room.
Audition Requirements
How to Prepare for your Adult Chorus Audition
For your audition for The Midwinter Revels 2022, please be prepared to sing 32 bars of two unaccompanied songs of contrasting nature (fast/slow, e.g.) with other auditioners in the room. Your selection can be from any era or genre with the exception of “pop” music. Traditional songs, carols, hymns, and early vocal works (Renaissance) are recommended. Often a simple song well sung is more effective than a more complicated one; it helps when you’re sure of the words! Don’t try to impress us with something difficult – just sing something you love and know well.
We will also ask you to sing some scales to get an idea of your vocal range, as well as a few pitch-matching exercises to test your ear. We will then teach a simple round for you to sing with the other auditioners in your group.
Adult Chorus Audition Schedule
Friday, June 2
Saturday, June 3
Sunday, June 4
Auditions by appointment only
AUDITION FORM FOR ADULT CHORUS
Please print, complete, and bring this form to your audition.
Friday, June 2
Saturday, June 3
Sunday, June 4
Friday, June 2nd —
Saturday, June 3rd —
Sunday, June 4th —
Rehearsal Schedule
Adult Chorus Rehearsal Commitments
ADULT WEEKDAY REHEARSALS: 7 – 9:30 PM
Tuesday, September 19: Orientation 7 – 9 pm
Tuesday, September 26
Tuesdays, October 2, 10, 17, 24, 31
Tuesdays, November 7, 14, 21, 28
Tuesday, December 5
SATURDAY REHEARSALS (TIMES TBA)
Saturday, October 21
Saturday, November 11
Saturday, December 9
TECH WEEK: December 11 – 13
DRESS REHEARSAL: December 14
Rehearsal Location
???
Rehearsal Parking
???
Performance Location
Sanders Theatre
45 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138
Performance Dates
Friday, December 15th,
Saturday, December 16th,
Sunday, December 17th,
Thursday, December 21st,
Friday, December 22nd,
Saturday, December 23rd,
Tuesday, December 26th,
Wednesday, December 27th,
Thursday, December 28th,
NOTICE: The adult chorus is called one and a half hours before all performances
Audition Overview
Audition for the 2022 Midwinter Revels Children's Chorus
Children’s Chorus auditions for our 2023 show, The Midwinter Revels, will occur in the fall of 2023. Check back here to learn more soon!
This year we are using 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 this year to be more inclusive in emphasizing the secular aspects of our popular seasonal event. We hope that you will join with us in joyfully widening our circle of friends and community. Read more here.
Great joy to the new!
-
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.
-
Audition Preparation
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. We ask children to prepare a short traditional song, or a well-known song with a similar style, with a preference for cultural songs from the traditions we will be featuring (ex. De Colores (Mexican), Oseh Shalom (Jewish), or Molly Malone (Irish)). These need not be sung from memory – we will have word sheets on hand – but memorization is encouraged!
-
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. This year’s rehearsal schedule for the adult chorus is as follows:
CHILDREN’S WEEKDAY REHEARSALS: 4 – 5:30 PM
Tuesday, September 19: Orientation 7 – 9 pm
Tuesday, September 26
Tuesdays, October 2, 10, 17, 24, 31
Tuesdays, November 7, 14, 21, 28
Tuesday, December 5SATURDAY REHEARSALS (TIMES TBA)
Saturday, October 21
Saturday, November 11
Saturday, December 9 -
Tech Week and Performance Schedule
TECH WEEK: December 11 – 13
DRESS REHEARSAL: December 14
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE (Subject to Change):
Dec 15 – 28: 13 performances
Friday, December 15 – 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 16 – 3:00 PM, 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 17 – 1:00 PM, 5:30 PM
Thursday, December 21 – 7:30 PM
Friday, December 22 – 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 23 – 3:00 PM, 7:30 PM
Tuesday, December 26 – 1:00 PM, 5:30 PM
Wednesday, December 27 – 1:00 PM, RESERVED SNOW DAY 5:30 PM
Thursday, December 28 – 1:00 PM -
About This Year's Production
The Midwinter Revels 2023
Directed by Patrick Swanson and Debra Wise; Elijah Botkin, Music DirectorShow information coming 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 in June.
-
Youth Protection
Performing in Revels is a big commitment. For The Midwinter Revels, there are 11 weeks of rehearsals (one rehearsal per week and 3 additional all-day Saturday rehearsals). Tech Week runs four nights in the theater from 6 to 11pm (children from 5 to 9:30pm for two days, from 5 to 10:30pm for two days). The Midwinter Revels has a run of 15 performances, matinees & evenings, spanning a two-week period towards the end of December.
COVID Vaccine Policy
-
COVID Policy
COVID Policy for Auditions
- All child auditioners must be fully vaccinated with at least one booster if it has been at least 5 months since they had their second dose of covid vaccine.
- We are requiring everyone to wear masks while waiting to audition.
- We will have three people auditioning at a time to allow for spacing between people as they audition, and there will be air purifiers running in the audition room.
Audition Requirements
How to Prepare for your Children's Chorus Audition
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. We ask children to prepare a short traditional song, or a well-known song with a similar style, with a preference for cultural songs from the traditions we will be featuring (ex. De Colores (Mexican), Oseh Shalom (Jewish), or Molly Malone (Irish)). These need not be sung from memory – we will have word sheets on hand – but memorization is encouraged!
Returning Children’s Chorus Members: We want as many children as possible to have the experience of being in a Revels production, so children who have never participated in Revels will generally be given priority over those who have. The directors may make exceptions to this guideline as they see fit.
Children's Chorus Audition Schedule
Auditions for the Children’s Chorus will take place in the Fall of 2023.
Auditions by appointment only
AUDITION FORM FOR CHILDREN’S CHORUS (AGES 7-12)
Please print, complete, and bring this form to your audition.
Audition Dates TBA
Rehearsal Schedule
Children's Chorus Rehearsal Commitments
CHILDREN’S WEEKDAY REHEARSALS: 4 – 5:30 PM
Tuesday, September 19: Orientation 7 – 9 pm
Tuesday, September 26
Tuesdays, October 2, 10, 17, 24, 31
Tuesdays, November 7, 14, 21, 28
Tuesday, December 5
SATURDAY REHEARSALS (TIMES TBA)
Saturday, October 21
Saturday, November 11
Saturday, December 9
TECH WEEK: December 11 – 13
DRESS REHEARSAL: December 14
???
Rehearsal Parking
???
Performance Location
Sanders Theatre
45 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138
Performance Dates
Friday, December 15th,
Saturday, December 16th,
Sunday, December 17th,
Thursday, December 21st,
Thursday, December 22nd,
Friday, December 23rd,
Monday, December 26th,
Tuesday, December 27th,
Wednesday, December 28th,
NOTICE: The children’s chorus is called two hours before all performances.
Our generous sponsors make it possible for Revels to produce world-class performances and educational programs for our audiences.
Let us know how we can work together to promote music, dance, and community!