Auditions have now passed for this season. The next opportunity to audition will be late summer 2026 for the 2026-27 Season.
The Choir
The Rodolfus Choir is a leading UK youth choir for talented young singers aged 16-23. Many members of the choir will have attended one of the Rodolfus Choral Courses, but anyone can audition. Singers are then invited to sign up to a number of exciting events across the year for an annual subscription fee of £120 (financial support is available). There is no further cost for participating in each event. Our aim is to offer professional, high quality choral singing opportunities and to share the wonderful choral repertoire with diverse audiences across the UK and beyond.
Auditionees are encouraged to book a face-to-face audition in Central London – dates for summer 2026 will be released in June. For those unable to travel to London, online auditions may be available instead.
To book an audition
Singers should prepare a short extract (around 1-2 mins) of a piece to sing unaccompanied and will also be required to undertake aural and sight-singing tests.
Events in the choir’s calendar always include the annual include Christmas/New Year project with a concert and an evensong (27-31 December), and an Easter project. There are usually other shorter events too. Full details of the Choir’s project schedule will be made available to successful applicants.
Auditions take place every August/September. Bookings will open early Summer.
The Audition
- You will be asked to perform 1-2 mins of a prepared piece of any style which you feel shows off your voice, and which you enjoy singing
- We will demonstrate and ask you to repeat some singing and listening exercises, and check your range
- You will be asked to undertake a short extract of sight-singing
How to prepare
- Choose an audition piece which you feel comfortable performing and which you know well
- If you don’t feel like sight-singing is a strength, there are lots of resources around to help you improve, including our very own course by Ralph Allwood, available here
- Make sure you allow plenty of time to travel to the audition venue
FAQ
Do I have to pay to be a member of the choir?
There is an annual subscription fee of £120, which helps to cover the running costs of organising all of the events for the year. Subsequent projects are almost always free of charge. Financial support is available to those who need it to help with the subscription cost, and our Chris Bennie Fund can make grants to help with the cost of travel to attend choir events. If you’d like to discuss financial assistance, please contact the Choir Manager, Peter Davis, in confidence.
How old do I have to be?
You must be 16 by the 1st September 2025.
Can I sing a non-classical piece in my audition?
We enjoy all styles of music at The Rodolfus Choral Foundation. It is worth considering that we are listening to hear whether your voice will perform well as part of a cohesive group, and you should choose a piece which allows us to hear healthy vocal technique.
Why do you have a sight-singing test?
Sight-singing is a really important skill for any choral singer, especially when you have limited rehearsal time as often occurs on Rodolfus projects.
When and where do the choir rehearse?
The choir meets for short projects (1-5 days) throughout the year, usually in Central London. The timetable is planned to allow for commutes from locations outside London, usually not starting before 10am and finishing by 7pm.
Do you provide accommodation?
We currently aren’t able to provide accommodation for choir events. Members often find places to stay with fellow choir members, and if this is likely to be a barrier to your attending, we will always do our best to help find a solution.
How many events do I need to attend per year?
We expect Rodolfus Choir members to attend as many events as they are able across the academic year to make the most of the opportunity of being in the choir, with a minimum expectation of attendance at at least one event every season. If you have not attended an event by the end of the season, you may need to re-audition to remain a member of the choir.
If you have questions which are not answered above please contact Peter Davis, Choir Manager.