Who should audition for Camerata?...
... any UMBC student with significant choral experience, music reading skills, a commitment to expressive singing, and a creative imagination.

When are Auditions?
Fall auditions will be held on:
Monday, August 27, 6:30-9:30pm
Tuesday, August 28, 9:30am-12:30pm, 6:30-9:30pm
Wednesday, August 29, [first day of classes] 9:30-11:30am, 1-5pm

Audition slots for new and returning singers are scheduled in advance by e-mailing Camerata conductor, Dr. Stephen Caracciolo. Last minute auditions are welcome by placing your name on the audition time sign-up sheet posted outside of Fine Arts 021 during the first week of school.

What do you prepare for the audition?
During the audition time, your instrument will be checked for range, vocal color, and flexibility. In addition you will be asked some rudimentary score reading questions and do some sight singing.

The excerpt to prepare for the audition is drawn from Handel's exuberant Coronation Anthem No 4, Let They Hand Be Strengthened. Camerata will perform this anthem in the Fall. Everything you need to be successful at the audition is provided below. Listen to the video then learn your part using the printed music and the MIDI tracks to help you.

LISTEN TO A YOUTUBE: This anthem begins with an extended orchestral introduction. For the audition you will only prepare the first 20 measures of the choral parts as provided in the score below. Click here

PRINT OUT THE MUSICAL SCORE: This score is only the first 20 measures of the choral parts to Handel's Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened following an extended orchestral introduction. The score is S, A1, A2, T, B. Prepare the part that seems to make the most sense for you for the audition. [In our performance, the A1 part will be sung by Second Sopranos.] click here

LISTEN TO THE PART MIDIs: Listen to the part MIDIs for the first movement of Anthem No. 4 on this website: click here

Where are Camerata auditions?
Auditions are held in Fine Arts 021. Come with your voice already warmed up, practice rooms are located in the building. Come early to your time; you will be greeted by a Camerata Board member, asked to fill out a form, sit for an informal picture for our records, and type some information into our database.

When is the first Camerata rehearsal?
The first rehearsal will be Thursday, August 30 at 1pm in the Fine Arts Recital Hall, FA118. Auditions are completed the evening before and notification is sent to all students informing them, (1) who is seated in the ensemble for the semester, and (2) which singers have been accepted into the Music Performance Fellowship program. Seated students purchase music in the bookstore hours before the Thursday 1pm start time so as not to be late for rehearsal.

How to apply to be a Music Performance Fellow?
The Music Performance Fellowship program is sponsored by the UMBC Department of Admissions to support select First-Year students in their desire to sing in Camerata and take voice lessons. Four First-Years will be chosen for the program on the basis of their Camerata audition (any voicing). Students invited to accept the fellowship sing in Camerata for the entire year and receive one-hour voice lessons with a UMBC professor free of charge. Fellows register concurrently for Camerata (MUSC303) and Performance Studies (MUSC190).

For a fellowship application, contact Connie Bailey.

How is registration for Camerata carried out?
On the basis of student auditions, names will be entered into the system giving them permission to register for Camerata (MUSC303). Once the permissions are entered, each individual will log into the system to add the course to their schedule. Camerata is a two credit course.

Will singing in Camerata satisfy an Arts and Humanities General Education Program (GEP) requirement?
Yes, if for one semester you register for Music in Performance (MUSC358) instead of Camerata (MUSC303). Music in Performance consists of your ensemble rehearsal times plus a one-hour, once-a-week lecture course that introduces students to important topics in music performance and criticism.

MUSC358, therefore, is a combined class and grade between Camerata and your work in the lecture portion of the course. All First-Year students who are seated in a Department of Music ensemble, including majors in music, are strongly encouraged to register for MUSC358.

What are the additional things for which students are responsible?
Ladies are required to purchase a Music Department black performance dress. The cost is approximately $68. Information on the dress will be supplied the first week of the semester. Men are required to own a black suit, a solid black silk necktie, a dress white shirt, a black belt, and black dress shoes. In addition, students are required to purchase scores from the UMBC bookstore in time for the first rehearsal. Semester packets are typically no more than $25 or so.