The Santa Barbara Choral Society will hold its annual auditions by appointment, Saturday, Aug. 24 at the Music Academy, 1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara.

From the Society: “We need singers! All voice parts and paid section leader positions are available, too.

“Everyone prefers to forget the difficulties of the pandemic, but it had a huge impact on The Choral Society. Many long-time members did not return when we were able to resume rehearsals; we’re still building up our numbers.”

To find out more, and to book your audition, visit https://www.sbchoral.org/meet-the-chorus/sing-with-us/.

JoAnne Wasserman, Santa Barbara Choral Society conductor, holds up her baton as she directs the choir. (Courtesy photo)
Santa Barbara Choral Society Conductor JoAnne Wasserman. (Courtesy photo)

Singing in a chorus or choir is a unique opportunity for the musical laity to perform immortal music.

There’s no extensive process of training and certification, as with orchestral instruments and vocal soloists. There are only the voices we were born with, plus our ability to use them and to meld them with the voices of others. 

Choral singing offers many other pleasures and benefits: an expanded social life, the endorphin-spawning thrill of vocal fusion, the joy of belonging, not just to a group, but to a group with a purpose — and, for those uncomfortable with being the center of attention, relative anonymity. 

But to achieve this safety in numbers, there’s a gamut that must be run: the audition. There, indeed, as the poet Marianne Moore wrote, all are naked, none is safe. Still, by the Choral Society’s own admission (see above), this year’s applicants will have somewhat enhanced bargaining power.

Further announcements from the Choral Society: 

“Last month Dr. Lawrence M. Schecter and Susan Renehan were elected to The Choral Society Board of Directors, with both new members joining the Development Committee. Welcome and thank you to Larry and Susan for stepping up!”

and 

“Our Artistic Director/Conductor JoAnne Wasserman is thrilled to announce that the 2024-2025 season will begin with a new rehearsal and performance accompanist, Miriam Arichea.”

For information about these or other members of the Choral Society team, visit https://www.sbchoral.org/about-us/ and click on “About Us” to find the category containing the person in question.

The Santa Barbara Choral Society’s mailing address is 1330 State St., Ste. 202, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2681.