Anyone at Waimea College can audition to join Belle a Cappella, our national award-winning chamber choir.

Before you audition, it is important to consider the following:

• It is a full-year commitment
• Bella performs often
• Missing rehearsals is not tolerated
• Weekly voice lessons are mandatory
• Bella usually rehearses 3 hours per week
• Bella will be a priority in your school life

Bella did not become a national award-winning choir easily. Bella members are not only talented and skilled, but dedicated and driven. They want to be the best they can be and they devote every second of rehearsal time to bettering their own sound and the sound of the group.

Still interested?

See Mrs. Sullivan to sign up for an audition time during Week 2 of Term 4. You will audition with Mr. Burcin and a Year 13 Bella member.

You may bring a friend or family member to your audition for support if you wish.

Auditions are usually recorded for future reference (for audition purposes only). Let Mr. Burcin know if prefer NOT to be recorded when you arrive for your audition.

During the audition you will be tested on:

• range (how high or low you can sing)
• agility (how flexible your voice is)
• pitch accuracy
• tone quality (can you change the colour of your singing voice?)
• general musicality (sense of rhythm, style, etc.)
• sight-singing (singing a few lines of music you have never seen before)
• your own piece

For “your own piece”, choose a simple song that you know well. The National Anthem is perfect, or perhaps a folk song. A pop song is usually not appropriate. Talk to Mr. Burcin if you are unsure.

After the first round of auditions, a short list will be announced. Those short-listed must make themselves available on Friday 31st October 12.30-1pm in M1. If all goes well, Bella 2009 will be decided right there and then.

Once Bella 2009 has been announced, a meeting will be called to confirm:

• Bella Camp date (this is often before the school year starts)
• Rehearsal times for 2009– usually Tuesdays 3.30-5.30 and Thursday 7.30-8.25am, but this depends on the availability of the 2009 group
• Repertoire ideas– Bella succeeds because group members have lots of input into the pieces performed. Have some ideas ready!

Please don’t hesitate to contact current Bella members to discuss the commitment required– it is a serious commitment, but the rewards are HUGE!

Generally, auditions occur during Term 4, but Bella occasionally auditions mid-year if the need arises. Talk to Mr. Burcin for more details.