Becoming a member of Glória DLGC
Hello from the Glória DLGC Committee – thank you for 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 usually audition for new members in early September and January of each year if there are vacancies. This year (2019/2020) we are only auditioning people with tenor and bass range voices. The auditions will take place in Dublin on Sunday 1st September. You will need to fill out the sign-up form below and get it back to us on or before the deadline which is Friday 16th August. We have detailed below a few frequently asked questions about becoming a member and hope you find them useful.
When does the next season start?
We have two seasons a year starting in January and September. Usually each season starts with some auditions if there is space within the choir.
What kind of music does the choir perform?
We perform a diverse range of music which includes everything from classical to pop, musicals to madrigals etc.
Do I have to audition? What will that entail?
Yes. We will hold auditions on one day only. 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 or one suggested in advance by the Musical Director. 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 a nice voice basically and whose voice will compliment the others in the section. 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 sometime during the following week 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 in the choir years ago, you will need to audition along with everyone else. It is your responsibility to make sure you sign up using the procedure outlined. Please do not assume that you are on our list if you do not follow the procedure outlined. We do not accept applications made to the committee, 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. Next term we will need a few more tenor and bass voices.
When and where do you rehearse?
We rehearse every Tuesday from 7:30pm – 9:30pm in the city centre and members are ideally expected to attend all rehearsals. We also have a weekend away usually in November for current members to rehearse and hone our technique. Once a month we have Sunday workshops/sectionals from 1:30pm – 5pm in Rathmines.
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 songs and choreography 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 and weekly subscription fee to pay which covers the cost of music and room hire 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 Gloria 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. And 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 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 it 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 Facebook pages. 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 Masterson 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?
Oh 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 me a line, I would love to hear from you. Feel free to browse the rest of the site and read the more about us to get even more of an insight and see how much fun we have.
Reminder: Sign-up deadline is Friday 16th August 2019 and auditions will take place on Sunday 1st September 2019.
Thanks and best wishes
