What kind of choir are we?

Hamilton Civic Choir was founded in 1946 with the original intention of uplifting the spirits of the local community post-WWII. Currently, we are a fully auditioned choir for those aged 18+ years with a passion for making beautiful music. We’re always keen to hear from newcomers who would like to become members. Even though we hold our main auditions at the beginning of every year in late January, we do accept new members throughout the year.

What’s in the audition?

The audition is a closed session (the only people in the room are you, our Musical Director, and a pianist/assistant) and it’s a simple affair that will take about 8 minutes. After saying hello and asking you a few questions about yourself, our MD will ask you to sing a verse of a simple song you know well a cappella, such as a folk song, a Christmas carol, a hymn, or even the national anthem — your choice. She’ll do a range check, possibly some vowel work, and maybe even some sight-reading to gauge your skill level (here is an example of the upper end of difficulty you would encounter).

What’s the commitment?

Regular rehearsals are once a week on Mondays from 7:15pm – 9:30pm, currently in Hillcrest, and this often includes public holiday Mondays. We traditionally have four concerts per year, and each concert term includes at least one weekend workshop on a Saturday or Sunday. In the few days leading up to a concert, there are often additional week-night “dress” rehearsals. After a full year, we take time off for summer holidays in mid-December until the end of the following late January when we audition the majority of new annual members.

Please note: while we expect members to be at every rehearsal possible, we also understand that “life happens” and, as needed, can be flexible with members who are able to demonstrate their performance ability with our Musical Director.

Are there costs involved?

Yes — there is a subscription fee each year (with a lesser amount for students with ID), plus possible costs for additional special events throughout the year (ex. optional weekly upskilling musicianship classes with Dr. Karen Grylls that are held before rehearsals; or most recently, our participation in the 2024 World Choir Games in Auckland). We don’t want money to get in the way of full participation though, so we’re always willing to come to alternative arrangements on an individual basis.

Any other questions?

To apply for an audition or to receive more information on a specific topic, please know that all questions are welcome. You can contact us via the form below, or send an email to secretary@hamiltoncivicchoir.org.nz, and we’ll get back to you.