Choral Society auditions Saturday

Community

The North East Texas Choral Society will be holding auditions for their upcoming Christmas concert 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Aug. 10 in the choir room at the First United Methodist Church, 301 Church St.in Sulphur Springs.

Attendees can expect to hear traditional Christmas favorites sung by soloists, like a rendition of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” from Marlon Chisom, duets and “one standout quartet that is not to be missed, singing a song from ‘Toy Story,’” said NETCS Executive Director Carol Allen.

This year’s Christmas concert will be “Hearts Come Home for Christmas,” and performance dates are Dec. 7-8. Anyone interested in auditioning should enter the door at the back of the church building and go to the choir room on the second floor.

The audition process, which should take about 10 minutes, is very relaxed, and it’s not necessary to prepare a piece of music.

“We try to take the scare out of the process,” Allen said. “We don’t audition in a group — it’s one-on-one with me. I sit at the piano and sing with every person auditioning. The most important thing is to be able to match pitch accurately. The ability to read music is a plus, not a requirement. And every voice is open — soprano, alto, tenor and bass.”

This marks NETCS’s 22nd performance year.

“We love what we do,” Allen said. “I guess we’d do it if nobody came, but we want everyone there. Performing with 100 voices is one of life’s unique experiences.”

For more information about the North East Texas Choral Society, please visit www.singerscount.org.