Auditions
Nova is always looking for new singers!
Nova has two levels of membership: singing member and section leader.
Singing Members
Singing members are volunteer singers. At an audition, singing members should be able to demonstrate:
-Superb tonal memory
-Ability to sight-sing tonal and modal melodies with some chromaticism
-Prior choral music experience in an avocational choral setting (church choir, community choir, symphonic choir, festival chorus, chamber choir, college choir, a cappella group)
Singing members are required to attend at least half of Nova’s rehearsals prior to a concert with the expectation that they will do some score study at home. Inability to demonstrate familiarity with the material might prevent a singing member from performing at a concert.
Section Leader
Section leaders are professional singers who have multiple years of singing experience in a variety of musical settings. Section leaders must be able to demonstrate the following at an audition:
-Excellent pitch memory
-Proficiency in sight-reading tonal, modal, and chromatic melodies. Ability to sight-read atonal melodies a plus!
-A flexible vocal mechanism that can adapt to varying singing styles
-Current or previous activity as a vocal or choral music professional
-Formal vocal training in a college, conservatory, or private studio setting
-A degree in music or a music-related field (preferred though not necessarily required if other criteria are met)
Section leaders compose the vast majority of Nova’s singing roster. They receive a stipend of $60 per season concert and 0 to $100 per additional performance depending on the nature of such performance (Christmas caroling, wedding, funeral, festival, flash mob, convention, recording, etc.).
Dues
There is currently no level of membership in Nova that requires a singer to pay membership dues.
Why Nova?
The singers of Nova represent a broad spectrum of talent from all over Los Angeles. We have emerging and successful music professionals as well as non-career singers who love choral music, and they all come together on select Sundays to explore the wonders of living choral music and share that music with the world.
Our singers have received graduate and undergraduate music degrees from Berklee School of Music, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, University of Oregon School of Music, Boston Conservatory, California State University Long Beach Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, California Institute of the Arts Herb Alpert School of Music, Loyola Marymount University, University of Miami Frost School of Music, University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, and University of North Texas School of Music.
They have performed for groups such as Vox Femina, the Caroling Company, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Pacific Opera Company, Celestial Opera, Center Stage Opera, Long Beach Opera, Pacific Chorale, and as staff singers for churches and temples all over Los Angeles.
But beyond any credentials lies an unwavering dedication to the art combined with an enthusiasm for presenting the art to the world. Really, that’s what Nova is all about: making music by living composers come alive in a vibrant, warm community that strives for excellence.
Audition Requirements
Auditions will consist of range testing, the performance of a familiar song of the singer’s choice (Happy Birthday or a patriotic song such as My Country Tis of Thee are popular choices) without accompaniment, and sight-reading of a piece from Nova’s repertory at the time of audition. Auditions usually last 10 to 15 minutes.
All singers who wish to audition must send a vocal music resume to novavocalensemble@gmail.com before their audition. References and voice samples, while appreciated, are not required.