Frequently Asked Questions
What to prepare?
Auditionees should prepare 1 minute of 1 song of any genre. It’s probably better if the genre is pop, jazz, rock, r&b, gospel, folk or blues, though, since that’s the stuff that we typically sing.
When is the audition?
11:00 am, May 8, 2021
Where is the audition?
The Youth in Arts parking lot. 3rd Street in San Rafael, just passed C Street on the right hand side.
Is there parking?
Street parking is available, but there will be no parking available in the lot.
How long will it take?
This one is a hard one to answer, because it’s partially dependent on how many people audition. You should be prepared to be there from 11:00 am – 2:30 pm, knowing that you may be free sooner.
Can I do a private audition on another date?
No.
What is the process like?
Step One: Sing 1 minute of a song (preferably your song snippet a cappella. ‘Til Dawn’s repertoire typically consists of 20+ songs, ranging from doo wop classics to Motown to Maroon 5. The vast majority of our repertoire is in English, and is pop, rock, folk, classic R&B, or jazz-based. 1 minute of anything in one of these genres will be appropriate.
Step Two: Pitch matching.
I play a series of pitches on the keyboard and you sing them back on whatever vowel you want.
Step Three: Sing a background part in a quintet/sextet with ‘Til Dawn.
With the other people who are auditioning for ‘Til Dawn in your voice part, we will teach you a background part to one of our songs. Then, one by one, each auditionee comes in and sings their part with a quintet/sextet of group members to hear how well you’ve learned the part, how well you blend, and to get a feel for the experience of working and learning together.
Do I need to bring anything?
We don’t need a resumé or a head shot. We take a digital photo to remember you by.
Additional Information
‘Til Dawn rehearses five hours a week, roughly forty-eight weeks a year. In addition to the rehearsals, ‘Til Dawn averages about 25 performances a year; these typically include a mix of community events, fairs, festivals, elementary and middle schools, private parties, mental health centers and periodic radio and television appearances.
The group typically goes on three weekend-long retreats a year to strengthen the interpersonal relationships in the group. We are looking for people who want to learn about music, about performing, about listening and about being a part of an ensemble.
Have more questions? Email yia@youthinarts.org.
