How Do I Become A Member?

It's not difficult, and we welcome prospective new members. However, it isn't quite as easy as just plunking down your dues and filling out a form. Our membership coordinator will help you along the way.

First, we'd like you to visit a rehearsal or two. To begin with, you can just sit and watch and listen. Or, you can sing with us. When you choose to sing, you'll be asked to sing something like "Happy Birthday" for our director or one of the assistant directors. This gives her an idea of your voice quality and range. She'll ask you some questions about your singing experience and your singing comfort level. Based on that, she'll place you in one of the four sections: lead, tenor, baritone or bass. You'll get a folder of music to use, and you'll get to stand near someone who sings the same part.  If for any reason the first part you try doesn't seem to fit, you'll have the chance to try another part that may work better for you.

If you decide you'd like to become a member, you'll need to audition. (Not really so scary! Ask any chorus member.) You'll audition by singing one of the current contest songs (music we're working on to sing at our next regional competition), and your section leader will help you prepare for the audition. You can sing with a quartet for practice as part of your preparation. When you feel ready to audition, you can choose one of two methods. The recording-on-the-risers method allows you to sing the song with the chorus while holding a recorder close to your mouth, so that the sound of you singing your part is clearly audible. In the week following that rehearsal, your section leader and the director will review your recording. Or, the quartet-plus-one method allows you to sing with a quartet before or after a rehearsal with the director listening to your audition. In either case, we are listening to see how well you can stay on your part and fit into the sound of the ensemble. In the few instances where someone hasn't passed on the first attempt, they have tried again after some more practice. It's rare that a prospective member doesn't pass her audition.

Once you've passed, you'll be given a personal information form to fill out. There is a $90 initial membership fee along with monthly dues. You are now an official member of the Grand Traverse Show Chorus and Sweet Adelines International. Congratulations! You have just made one of the best decisions you will make in your life!

OUR REHEARSAL HOME: 
Former Traverse City Horizon Outlet Mall
3631 C-20 Market Place Circle • US 31 South • Traverse City, MI 49684