The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University

Auditions for all levels of the Peabody Children's Chorus are held in June for entrance in the following fall semester. Appointment sign-up begins on March 1st. We invite you to e-mail chorus@peabody.jhu.edu or to call (410) 659-8100, ext. 1130 to set up an audition appointment. We offer a friendly audition process and make every effort to ensure that each child's audition is a worthwhile experience.

How can my child prepare for the audition?

• Practice singing "Happy Birthday to You." Sing "Happy birthday dear someone"
• Choose another song to sing, for example, a song learned in school, a holiday song, patriotic song, folk song or lullaby.
• No musical score is needed, and children sing without accompaniment. Here are a few examples of appropriate songs
  • My County 'tis of Thee
    
  • America the Beautiful
  • Jingle Bells
  • Are You Sleeping?
  • London Bridge
  • She'll be Comin' Round the Mountain
  • Hush Little Baby, Don't Say a Word
  • My Favorite Things
  • Do, a Deer

   

• Find a wallet-size photograph to bring to the audition, with name and age printed clearly on the back.

Who is placed in the chorus?

Spaces are limited, and so not everyone is placed. We are looking for singers whose voices sound healthy, who have a good sense of pitch, who are focused and pay attention in their audition, and who are willing to commit wholeheartedly to the group.

When will we receive audition results?

A letter will be mailed to you within two weeks of the audition.

Is prior training necessary?

No prior training is necessary for the Training Choir and Choristers. Most (but not all) Chamber Singers have had some prior singing experience, either in school, in PCC, in another chorus or through voice lessons.

What kind of attendance is expected?

Students are expected to be punctual and to attend rehearsals every week.

Rehearsals

Students attend weekly rehearsals in Towson or Howard County. Rehearsals for the choruses are held from September through April, at the following times:

The Training Choir (Ages 6-10)

Towson, Tuesday, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Howard County, Thursday 5:00-6:00 p.m.

The Choristers (Ages 10-14)

Towson, Tuesday, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Howard County, Thursday, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

The Chamber Singers (Ages 12-18)

Towson, Tuesday, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Howard County, Thursday, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Tuition

Tuition is payable in two installments. A limited number of partial scholarships are available for qualified students. Please enquire about current tuition amounts when you set up your audition appointment.

Thank you for your interest in the Peabody Children's Chorus. We look forward to meeting you in June!