The Big Apple Chorus

Thinking About Joining Us?

Are you a man who loves to sing? Well – here’s a chance to perfect your skills and have a blast learning, competing, and performing great music with other talented men in the Big Apple Chorus.

As you’ve browsed through our web site – you’ve read a little about Who We Are and

What You Can Expect when you Visit Us. Most of all – you know that our door is always open to you and other men who love to sing a cappella music.

For those who wish to Join Us – we offer a few simple steps – which we hope you’ll find both thoughtful and enjoyable.

First – Before you audition for membership in the Big Apple Chorus – we ask that you attend three (ideally consecutive) rehearsals. After all – it’s one thing to read about us – and it’s another to visit us “on the risers” as we learn new music or rehearse some current repertoire. This way, you’ll get to meet your future BACbrothers -- experience first hand what our rehearsals are like -- and if you’re lucky -- be with us on a night when one of truly professional external coaches is present to enhance our performance skills.

During these three visits – one of our Music Team leaders will spend a few minutes with you to determine your vocal range and help you select a voice part ( Tenor, Lead, Baritone or Bass) that you’ll enjoy. He’ll also place you on the risers next to others singing your voice part. A guest book with sheet music for our arrangements will be handed to you and you’ll be expected to return it when the rehearsal ends.

At the conclusion of your 3rd visit – you may audition for membership. While many of our members can read music -- this is not a Big Apple Chorus requirement. The chorus provides many learning tools for its members, including learning CDs with specific tracks for each voice part.

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The Audition Process --

You’ll be meeting with members of our Music Team twice.

During your first meeting you’ll be guided through a series of vocal and rhythm exercises, designed to determine your musical abilities.  At this point we’ve probably already determined that you can carry tune and have a good ear for our style of harmony and singing. Still this is an important step as it gives you the opportunity to learn a little more about what is required – and us the opportunity to assess your skills and improvement opportunities. 

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Next, you will be given the sheet music and a Learning CD for one of our current repertoire songs. You’ll be asked to learn a relatively small segment of that music, such as the Introduction, a chorus or the tag. When you’re ready, you’ll complete a live audition with our Music Team by singing your part in a quartet. You don’t have to memorize your part but, you must be able to sing all of the words and notes correctly with a tone and quality that will blend well with the chorus.

 Our Audition Process guideline is very flexible --

 We want you to do whatever you enjoy the most. As you would guess – some guys do everything from start to finish in just a few weeks while others move at a pace that better balances all of their family, work and other priorities. The BAC simply wants you to have a good time – to enjoy your new found BACbrothers and the fun we have on Monday nights. If a prospective member seems able to complete the audition process, the Music Team may suggest other possibilities that will offer you the opportunity to learn the skills of our craft.

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Congratulations! Once you’ve successfully completed your audition - you will be given a membership application which you’ll need to fill out and return along with a check for your dues. You will then be welcomed by all of your new BACbrothers as the newest member of the Big Apple Chorus and Manhattan Chapter of the SPEBSQSA!

Now you have a few songs to learn – like 12 to 15 – plus another 15 or so Holiday pieces to perform with us on the South Street Seaport Singing Chorus Tree. While no one is expected to learn all of this music overnight, the more you know the more fun you’re going have. 

 You’ll also need to learn some choreography – since we don’t always stand still when we sing.

Our Staging & Choreography Team will help you learn the movements that go with the song, along with helping you to allow your face and body to show the joy your feeling when you sing the great music the Big Apple performs. Here again, you’ll learn most of this as a natural byproduct of our rehearsals.

Like all of your new BACbrothers – you’ll be on your honor to learn the remaining chorus repertoire before your first performance. Thankfully this isn’t nearly as hard as it sounds since our BAC frequently appears two or three time on any given show, therefore – if best – you can decide to perform only those “sets” you’ve mastered. Over time we’ve found that this self assessment works very well—as most guys are frequently more demanding of themselves then we otherwise might be.

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Our Music Team will do all that it can to be helpful to you. For example -- as they conduct Section Rehearsals and listen while on the risers -- they’re more then capable at recognizing a voice that’s missing a few words or notes – as well as those that may be singing in a manner that isn’t fully blended into our ensemble sound. When this occurs they’ll let you know and give you some helpful tips on what to give some added attention. This “feedback” is always constructively offered and is a reminder that we are dedicated to offering the highest quality and most professionally presented music in all of our performances.

We look forward to you becoming a true BACbrother and a proud performing member of the one and only—Big Apple Chorus.