Becoming a member of Glória LGBT+ Choir
Hello from the Glória LGBT+ Choir Committee – thank you for your interest and we do hope you’ll get in touch if you’re ready to audition for the choir. Everything you need to know should be covered below, but please get in touch if you have further questions.
Auditions
We audition for new members in early September and then January if there are vacancies. The auditions will take place in Dublin. Please register your interest at info@gloria.ie and we will respond at the earliest opportunity.
What kind of music does the choir perform?
We perform a diverse range of music which includes everything from madrigals to musicals, classical to camp.
Do I have to audition? What will that entail?
Yes. We will hold auditions in the evening, you will be given plenty of notice. The audition comprises of a number of parts. You will be asked to sing some basic scales to ascertain which section the Musical Director thinks would best suit you. You will then be asked to sing a few lines from a song of your choosing . Finally, we go through the time commitments and expectations we will have of you if you are successful in your audition. It is a very informal and friendly audition in the presence of our Musical director and a member of the choir.
Who can join the choir?
Anyone who has can sing in tune with the choir and whose voice will compliment the others in the section is welcome to join. Although we are an LGBT choir, we are open to anyone irrespective of their sexuality, background or gender identity. We are an adult choir, so you must be over 18.
How will I know if I have been successful?
You will be contacted shortly after your audition and we will let you know whether or not you have been successful. We do not maintain lists following the completion of an audition process, so if you do not turn up, cannot take up an offer or are not successful you will need to apply again via this process. If you were previously in the choir and have passed your agreed sabbatical you will need to re-audition. It is your responsibility to make sure you sign up using the procedure outlined. We do not accept applications made directly to the committee, to other members or the Musical Director.
Are there always spaces available?
The number of spaces that are available each season varies and depends on how many current members decide to either leave or take a break.
When and where do you rehearse?
We rehearse every Tuesday from 7:00pm – 9:00pm in the city centre and members are expected to attend all rehearsals. We also have a weekend away usually in November for current members to rehearse and hone our technique. We have occasional workshops on a Saturday.
How much of a commitment is it being in the choir?
At certain times of the year it can get very busy preparing and rehearsing for key performances. You will also need to spend some of your own time rehearsing and learning the repertoire as you will need to memorise for all performances and competitions. Although we are an amateur choir, we strive to achieve a high performance standard.
Do I have to pay anything?
Yes. There is an annual membership fee which covers the cost of music, room hire, insurance etc.
Do I need to provide my own performance outfit(s)?
Yes. For our main concerts we generally wear a smart formal outfit which we ask you to provide. The choir usually subsidies the cost of accessories to compliment your outfit. Our uniform may change from season to season and is customised for each event. For our community events and informal gigs, we usually wear Glória t-shirts which will be provided for you at a subsidised rate.
Where does the choir perform?
Glória is a very popular choir and we get lots of amazing invitations to sing at various Dublin city locations. But we also travel, predominantly around Ireland for competitions and outreach opportunities. With careful planning and consideration we sing in other countries too, but don’t worry you’d get plenty of notice to plan for those bigger adventures.
We can’t accept all the invitations we receive but we do try, and those events can range from singing at small community fundraisers to the grandness of St. Patrick’s Cathedral for our epic Christmas concert. Occasionally we are invited further afield, and this varies from year-to-year. In recent years we have been entering a number of national choral competitions and many of them are outside of Dublin. Our performances are usually recorded for our own use and choir promotional purposes such as our YouTube channel or other social media including Facebook , Instagram and Blue Sky. Other times, we are asked by TV companies to perform on their shows/programmes. In joining the choir we assume that most people wouldn’t have an issue with that, however it shouldn’t be a barrier to joining either.
New member contact: meet and greet
It can be daunting joining a new group, but you’ll be most welcome! Be sure to look out for Rosy who sings in the soprano section and will be helping with the co-ordination of the auditions and welcoming new members as you settle into Ireland’s first LGBT+ Choir.
Is there a social element to the choir?
Yes! We are also a very sociable group. The Tuesday rehearsal is often followed by drinks at a pub nearby and in addition to this there are many events organised throughout the year either by the committee or other choir members to cater for all tastes. We also have an annual residential weekend away and every couple of years we travel overseas to take part in LGBT+ choral festivals.
So what are you waiting for? If you think you are interested in joining the choir or have any other questions about becoming a choir member that are not answered below please feel free to drop us a line at info@gloria.ie, we would love to hear from you.
