Who are we?
We are a group of singers, mostly recent graduates from Indiana University who love sight-reading and spending time learning and performing music we love. Founded by jazz-singer Sarra McCartney while she was in the school of music, our group has been singing together for many years. As life goes on, however, some people moved away, and so we are now ready to welcome YOU to our group.
Our Repertoire?
We like to sing madrigals, world music, early music, pop music, vocal jazz arrangements, and anything fun and a cappella that we can get our hands on. Each of us bring some music they want to perform, and this way we get lots of different styles, and try things we don’t know. We perform occasionally, and try to be available to perform 3-6 times a year, including Christmas Caroling in December.
Rehearsals?
We are currently rehearsing on Thursday or Sunday evenings in Bloomington, but could consider changing or adding a different day to our weekly rehearsals.
We focus on having fun and making awesome music.
Listen!
Here are some samples of repertoire we sang recently, and some we’ve been looking through at the moment:
– Billy Joel: And So It Goes (3 voice-only version in rehearsal)
– Beatles: Blackbird (excerpt)
– Standard: Autumn Leaves (last concert, in the backyard!)
– Josquin Des Prez: El Grillo (last concert, in the backyard)
– Jean Belmont (with lyrics by Christopher Marlowe): Passionate Shepherd (excerpt)
– Turtles: Happy Together (arranged by Sarra McCartney and Eric Nichols)
– Monteverdi: Sì ch’io vorrei morire (we need more people!)
– John Krumm: some gorgeous rounds: Onawa’s Waltz, Summer, Fall
– Villa-Lobos: Ave Maria
– Chico Buarque: Roda Viva (arr. Xavier Bartaburu) – we have a Brazilian in the group!
If you are interested in singing with us, please contact us!
We are looking for a person with a fun spirit, love for music, and ability to commit!
FAQs:
Q. How long are your rehearsals?
A. Usually we sing for about an hour and a half once a week, but sometimes we go longer if we’re all enjoying ourselves and have the time!
Q. Do I need to be there every rehearsal?
A. We ask that singers be prepared to make the commitment to be there every rehearsal, but that said, we understand illness and some previous commitments will necessitate some absences.
Q. Do I need to be able to read music?
A. Our group learns at a very quick pace, sight-reading most of our repertoire and then going back over parts we had trouble with. To maintain this pacing, we don’t have time to teach each voice part separately, so we prefer singers with good reading skills.
Q. I’ve never sung in a madrigal or a cappella group before- can I still try out?
A. Of course! We are looking for someone who can blend with our voices and with our personalities, so all musical backgrounds are welcome!
Q. If I were to audition, do I have to have something prepared?
A. You don’t need to go to any extremes to prepare for an audition with us. We want to sing with you, and maybe hear you sing a line or two of your favorite song so we can hear your solo voice, but there is no need to prepare an Aria!
Q. Do I need to be able to write/arrange music to be in the group?
A. Not at all, but if you can or want to try, we’d be happy to sing what you bring!