Canterbury Choral Society set auditions for new members

Canterbury Choral Society, an adult choir that performs at Civic Center Music Hall, will open auditions for 20 to 30 new members on Friday and Saturday.

The choir, which is in its 48th year, usually has between 125 and 140 adult singers, making it the largest of its kind in the state.

“The wonderful uniqueness is that it still retains that grassroots spirit from its beginning,” Executive Director Kay Holt said. “All of our singers are still volunteers; there are no paid singers. That spirit permeates the whole organization.”

Prospective chorus members can audition 6-8 p.m. Friday at Oklahoma City University, 2501 N. Blackwelder Ave., or 8:30-9:30 a.m. Saturday at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 2717 W. Hefner Road.

Those wishing to audition should prepare an a capella or piano-accompanied piece of music to sing for the chorus conductor. The audition piece can be a folk tune, hymn, art song or aria. Holt recommended singers audition with a song they’re comfortable with and one that shows off their range.

Singers rehearse 7-9:15 p.m. each Monday to prepare for three performances at Civic Center Music Hall.

“To be a part of something in our city at this time that has called forth some greatness in all of us — our city has changed so much and is changing continuously — by contributing and being a strong arts organization, we want that for our citizens,” Holt said. “We want that for people moving into our city, and especially young professionals, I have found, are looking for things to do downtown.”

Returning members and new members join together for a retreat at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church.

“That’s where everybody gets together and begins to start anew,” Holt said. “But it’s also a chance to socialize and to get to know one another and make the new people feel welcome.”

While the choir members are mainly from the metro area, they also drive from places such as Ada, Stroud, Chickasha and Enid.

“They’re brought together by this great love of singing and the passion they share to perform,” Holt said.

Canterbury’s first performance is Belshazzar’s Feast at 8 p.m. Oct. 2 at Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave.

Visit canterburyokc.com or call 232-7464 to schedule an audition. If singers cannot make the set audition times, they can schedule one for another time.

Print headline: Grassroots choir, Canterbury Choral Society is holding auditions for its 48th year of making music in the city.

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