Why should I audition?
The Yale Glee Club is Yale’s principal undergraduate mixed chorus and oldest musical organization, having just finished our 161st season.
Originally a group of 13 men from the class of 1863, today we are an 90-voice all-gender chorus. Throughout our history, the Glee Club has not only been a place for great music, but for friendships which last a lifetime.
Directed by School of Music professor Jeffrey Douma, the Glee Club’s diverse repertoire includes Renaissance motets, major choral orchestral works, music from folk traditions throughout the world, traditional Yale songs, and more, and we premiere new works by leading and emerging composers every season. We’ve sung for audiences on six continents and tour most every year.
Plans for the 2022-23 season are still taking shape, but we look forward to the return of more of the traditions we cherish and to singing together as a full ensemble throughout the year. We’ll perform a wealth of wonderful music together, and will sing the world premieres of works by some of the most exciting young composers of our time, including Joel Thompson and Ayanna Woods.
We look forward to collaborations with the Harvard and Princeton Glee Clubs and the Yale Symphony Orchestra, as well as renowned professional ensembles Chanticleer and Kaleidoscope Vocal Ensemble, and to singing under the baton of guest conductor Craig Hella Johnson. We are also making tentative plans for both domestic and international tour experiences later in the year.
Join generations of Yale singers who have found their musical home at Yale in the Glee Club!
Learn more about the Yale Glee Club, listen, or watch
How does the audition process work this year?
The Yale Glee Club will hold in-person auditions this year from Aug. 31 to Sep. 4.
The first step is to fill out an audition form and sign up for an audition time.
Your in-person audition will take place in Hendrie Hall (165 Elm St), Room 201. One of our student officers will be there to greet you. Please plan to arrive before your scheduled audition time. Masks are optional during your audition.
At your audition, you’ll be asked first to sing a short, one-minute excerpt of a solo of your own choosing. This can be any song you enjoy that shows the natural sound of your voice. Art songs, arias, folk songs, hymns, and musical theater selections are all good choices. If you bring along a piano accompaniment we can play for you, but it’s also perfectly fine to sing a cappella.
Our Director will then lead you through some vocalises, some ear training exercises, and a little bit of sight-reading. (If sight-reading is not your strong point, don’t panic! It’s only one part of the audition.)
Following your singing audition, you will have the opportunity to chat for about 10 minutes with a few of our student officers.
We may hold callback auditions on Sunday, Sep. 4, but because callbacks may not be necessary for every section, please don’t worry if you are not called back – it doesn’t mean you’re out of the running.
To learn more about who we are and what we do, you are invited to attend our Introductory Meeting, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 5:30-6:30pm (also in Hendrie Hall Room 201). The Introductory Meeting will tell you more about our plans for the coming year and will give you a chance to ask questions and to meet our Director and returning members of the ensemble.
Lastly, you can email our Director at jeffrey.douma@yale.edu, our current student President at peter.sykes@yale.edu, or our current student Manager at shreya.pathak@yale.edu with any questions you might have.
Our roster will be finalized by Monday, Sep. 5, when we will also hold our first rehearsal.