"Stand up and repeat"

Some of you may have heard about an audition going on and might like to know a bit more. Well then; this is what happened.

Exeter has several student choirs. During welcome week I've attended a rehearsal for one of them, called ChoralSoc, or The Choral Society of the University of Exeter. It is the largest and most accessible of all choirs, and I liked the atmosphere very much: the members are kind and the director possesses the most important of all director's qualities: he is a comedian (that's right F: je zit gebeiteld). Still, this choir did not have my preference, since it is so large (oratorium-size) and the kind of music they consequently perform (baroque and classical masses, requiems...) is not my favourite. Actually I had hoped to benefit from my stay in England by joining a small Renaissance chamber choir, because that is what this country is famous for (both regarding historical composers and present-day singers and choirs). All in all, the "Cantors" seemed perfect for me. (Even more so because they rehearse on mondays, whereas ChoralSoc rehearses on thursdays, when I would have my contemporary dance-classes as well.)

However, for Cantors I would have to audition. And my chances were fairly small: I have hardly any singing experience, let alone a decent training. I hadn't sung for half a year. I was ill. I don't know any of the people in the choir. I am foreign. Et cetera et cetera. And, assuming that they would replace quarter of the singers each year, they would only need four new members, which means one (1!) alto. Maar wie niet waagt die niet wint ("faint heart never won fair lady"?). So I strained my throat for one day to regain something of a decent range and did the audition. Actually it went not too bad, considering (not that I had any expectations). I gave my e-mailaddress and they would contact me.

Time passed on. Nothing happened. Thursday approached, and I decided to go to ChoralSoc anyway. Saturday apporached, on which Cantors were supposed to have a bonding-day, but on which I liked to join an IntSoc trip to Bath as well... nothing happened. I did not buy the Bath-ticket. I did take an option on a (more flexible) trip to the Cornish coast, though. Meanwhile, I felt increasingly little inclined to join this bunch of conceited musical snobs that refused to let a foolish dilettante know she would not be invited. Until finally, friday night, I got the following e-mail from Cantors:

Dear Anna,

Many thanks for auditioning for The Cantors. I'm afraid that I am unable to offer you a place in the choir at the present time.

I would like to assure you that this is in no way a reflection of your ability, but rather owing to the balance of the choir as a whole. After several hours of deliberation only ending today, we have decided to reduce the number in the choir to nine voices for this term. We will review the situation on a termly basis and should a position arise I will be in touch.

I do hope that you will support The Cantors by attending our concerts this year!

Good luck with your future singing.

With very best wishes,

Ben Collingwood
Director of The Cantors

www.thecantors.co.uk

Well ain't that nice? Of course if they speak the truth, I can be reassured of my singing qualities. However, perhaps all applicants were rubbish so they had to reduce the choir? But of course it would be very nice if a position would arise next semester (ahum)... So now you can all visit the Cantors' website and come to their concert, or... you could visit http://societies.ex.ac.uk/~choral/!

And what happened to my (contemporary) Dance Society? I did not become a member, although one of the people closest to me here in Exeter did... instead I might try ballroom dancing. This shocks me just as much as it does you. I still have to find a rational excuse for going there. We'll see.