Young people auditioning for Concert Choir or In Harmony should be excellent singers with strong music reading abilities. They should prepare one or two pieces that properly showcase their voice such as a piece from the art song repertoire (examples: “Sebben crudele,” Samuel Barber’s “Sure on this shining night,” or “Caro mio ben”) from musical theatre (examples: The Sound of Music, West Side Story, My Fair Lady), or from the Western folk tradition (examples: “Shenandoah,” “Wayfarin’ Stranger”).

Young people auditioning for Concert Choir or In Harmony do not need to have their pieces memorized and may sing with an accompanist or a cappella. If they wish to audition with piano accompaniment, please have them provide their own sheet music. It is not necessary to memorize their music, though they are expected to prepare as if for a major performance.

Young people auditioning for Intermezzo and Allegro should be prepared to sing one piece of their choosing. They should prepare on piece such as “America the Beautiful,” “Do-Re-Mi” from The Sound of Music, or “Simple Gifts.” Children do not need to have their pieces memorized. They can perform their songs a cappella or with piano accompaniment. If they wish to audition with piano accompaniment, please have them provide their own sheet music.

Children auditioning for Minuet and Prelude should be prepared to sing one piece of their choosing. Younger, elementary-aged choristers may choose a simple song such as “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” or a nusery rhyme. Children auditioning do not need to have their pieces memorized. They can perform their songs a cappella or with piano accompaniment. If they wish to audition with piano accompaniment, please have them provide there own sheet music.

Auditions are scheduled in 15-minute increments.

Auditions take place throughout the months of April and May for the season beginning in September. If our ensembles do not reach capacity, auditions can be scheduled by appointment beginning in June. Auditions are held at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church at 921 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10021.

Yes, you are welcome to be in the room as your child auditions or you can wait in the lobby where a staff member will be on hand to answer any questions about the program.

Yes, there is an audition fee of $30. This can be paid via credit card or Zelle via the audition form. If you are experiencing financial hardship and are unable to pay the $30 audition fee, please email Helen Karloski to set up an audition.

We welcome children ages 5 through 18 to audition for the New York City Children’s Chorus. First-time auditions in high school must have musical experience to be considered for admission to our advanced ensemble, In Harmony.

Rising Kindergarten through 12th graders audition in the spring to begin in September. Rising kindergarteners auditioning in the spring that are 4 must turn 5 years old by December 31.

Acknowledging that NYC schools (public, independent, religious, and homeschool) begin kindergarten at nuanced ages, please keep in mind that we are not able to accommodate auditions for children that will be in preschool in September.