3rd Quarter Voice Hearings & Curricular Choir Auditions
Throughout the year there are few moments when we get to hear you sing individually. We value you as a member our of choir program and want to make sure you are growing as a student and musician. 3rd Quarter Voice Hearings allow us to hear your individual voice, provide constructive feedback, and make sure you are getting the most out of your choral experience here at WVHS. This page will go over the components of the 3rd Quarter Voice Hearing, as well as the additional steps needed in order to audition for Treble Choir, Varsity Singers and Varsity Chamber.
3rd Quarter Voice Hearings
All current curricular choir students will perform an individual 3rd Quarter Voice Hearing during their choir class at an assigned time beginning the week of January 27th. This voice hearing will consist of:
1. Sight-Singing
2. Performing all four types of triads (major, minor, diminished, augmented)
3. Perform a major scale and the three forms of minor scales (natural, harmonic, melodic)
Curricular Choir Auditions
In addition to the 3rd Quarter Voice Hearing, students interested in enrollment in the 2025-2026 auditioned curricular choirs (Treble Choir, Varsity Singers, Varsity Chamber) can complete the remaining audition components. Students who wish to continue in choir without an audition can enroll in Concert Choir or Green Bass for next school year.
Students will be asked to perform the following during their audition:
1. Sight Singing (slightly more advanced than the exercises during class)
2. Perform the Star Spangled Banner
3. Perform a prepared excerpt from How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place
3rd Quarter Voice Hearings
All current curricular choir students will perform an individual 3rd Quarter Voice Hearing during their choir class at an assigned time beginning the week of January 27th. This voice hearing will consist of:
1. Sight-Singing
2. Performing all four types of triads (major, minor, diminished, augmented)
3. Perform a major scale and the three forms of minor scales (natural, harmonic, melodic)
Curricular Choir Auditions
In addition to the 3rd Quarter Voice Hearing, students interested in enrollment in the 2025-2026 auditioned curricular choirs (Treble Choir, Varsity Singers, Varsity Chamber) can complete the remaining audition components. Students who wish to continue in choir without an audition can enroll in Concert Choir or Green Bass for next school year.
Students will be asked to perform the following during their audition:
1. Sight Singing (slightly more advanced than the exercises during class)
2. Perform the Star Spangled Banner
3. Perform a prepared excerpt from How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place
3rd Quarter Voice Hearing
Below you will find the criteria for the 3rd Quarter Voice Hearing. Along with descriptions of each component, you will find music as well as tonal guides.
1. Sight Reading
A 4-measure sight-singing excerpt. The student will be provided the tonality, the starting pitch, and 40 seconds to practice the excerpt out loud before performing. Students will be awarded 1 point for accurate rhythms and 1 point for accurate pitches for each half measure (4 points/measure). Each exercise is worth 16 points.
The sight-singing excerpt will be provided in both treble and bass clef. Students are expected to evaluate the score, and determine “do” on their own. Students are encouraged to use solfege syllables.
Here is an example of a typical sight-reading excerpt:
1. Sight Reading
A 4-measure sight-singing excerpt. The student will be provided the tonality, the starting pitch, and 40 seconds to practice the excerpt out loud before performing. Students will be awarded 1 point for accurate rhythms and 1 point for accurate pitches for each half measure (4 points/measure). Each exercise is worth 16 points.
The sight-singing excerpt will be provided in both treble and bass clef. Students are expected to evaluate the score, and determine “do” on their own. Students are encouraged to use solfege syllables.
Here is an example of a typical sight-reading excerpt:
Sight Reading Practice
You may also want to visit sightreadingfactory.com. Though we do not have student accounts this year, you can get 20 free demo practices. Choose Choir-Unison, Random Major Key Signatures and Level 3 is a good starting point. Make sure to change the exercise to 4 measures long.
You may also want to visit sightreadingfactory.com. Though we do not have student accounts this year, you can get 20 free demo practices. Choose Choir-Unison, Random Major Key Signatures and Level 3 is a good starting point. Make sure to change the exercise to 4 measures long.
2. Triads
Each student will sing all four triads (major, minor, diminished, and augmented). The teacher will randomly select and provide pitches D, E, or F as the starting note.
Different starting notes may be given for each triad. Sheet music for each triad can be found here.
Recording of Triads in D
Recording of Triads in E
Recording of Triads in F
3. Scales
Each student will sing one major scale and the three forms of minor scales. Sopranos/Tenors will sing an F Major and D Minor scale(s). Altos/Basses will sing D♭ Major and B♭ minor scale(s). The minor scales will be the natural, harmonic and melodic forms. The scales must be performed on solfege. The scales will be sung one octave up and down with the top note sung only once. Please choose to perform in the voice part that you currently sing in choir
Sheet Music
Soprano Scale Recordings
Tenor Scale Recordings
Alto Scale Recordings
Bass Scale Recordings
Each student will sing all four triads (major, minor, diminished, and augmented). The teacher will randomly select and provide pitches D, E, or F as the starting note.
Different starting notes may be given for each triad. Sheet music for each triad can be found here.
Recording of Triads in D
Recording of Triads in E
Recording of Triads in F
3. Scales
Each student will sing one major scale and the three forms of minor scales. Sopranos/Tenors will sing an F Major and D Minor scale(s). Altos/Basses will sing D♭ Major and B♭ minor scale(s). The minor scales will be the natural, harmonic and melodic forms. The scales must be performed on solfege. The scales will be sung one octave up and down with the top note sung only once. Please choose to perform in the voice part that you currently sing in choir
Sheet Music
Soprano Scale Recordings
Tenor Scale Recordings
Alto Scale Recordings
Bass Scale Recordings
Curricular Choir Auditions
In addition to the 3rd Quarter Voice Hearing above, students elect to make themselves eligible for the 2024 -2025 auditioned curricular choirs (Treble Choir, Varsity Singers, and Varsity Chamber) by completing the remainder of the audition process. Students interested in auditioning can sign up for a time slot on Monday, January 22nd or Tuesday, January 23rd. Audition sign up can be found on the bulletin board outside of the Choir Room (121). Auditioning students will be asked to perform the following in addition to their National Anthem:
5. Additional Sight Singing
- Slightly more advanced than the exercises used for the 3rd Quarter Voice Hearing
6. Perform a prepared excerpt from Last Words of David
1. Sight Singing
Similar to the 3rd Quarter Voice Hearing, students will perform a 4-measure sight reading excerpt. The student will be provided the tonality and first pitch, as well as 40 sections to practice before performing. Students will be awarded 1 point for accurate rhythms and 1 point for accurate pitches for each half measure (4 points/measure). Each exercise is worth 16 points.
The sight singing will be provided in both treble and bass clef. Students are expected to evaluate the score, determine “do” (or “la” in the case of minor) on their own. Students are encouraged to use solfege syllables. These sight reading excerpts may be in a major or minor tonality. Accidentals (sharps & flats) are eligible to be used in the audition sight-singing excerpt.
2. The National Anthem
Students will have the option to perform The National Anthem in four different key signatures. Click on the Key for tonality and starting pitch.
3. 2024 Prepared Selection - How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place
Each student must prepare the following excerpt from How Lovely is The Dwelling Place by Johannes Brahms. All students should perform their part from measure 4-23. Please see the sheet music linked below. Students should perform the voice part that they currently sing in choir unless otherwise directed.
Student performance will be assessed using the Prepared Selection Performance Rubric. Please note that the audition performance will be done sung against a recording of the other voice parts in the ensemble. For example, an auditioning alto will perform their part against the soprano, tenor, and bass parts.
Sheet Music
Practice Tracks
5. Additional Sight Singing
- Slightly more advanced than the exercises used for the 3rd Quarter Voice Hearing
6. Perform a prepared excerpt from Last Words of David
1. Sight Singing
Similar to the 3rd Quarter Voice Hearing, students will perform a 4-measure sight reading excerpt. The student will be provided the tonality and first pitch, as well as 40 sections to practice before performing. Students will be awarded 1 point for accurate rhythms and 1 point for accurate pitches for each half measure (4 points/measure). Each exercise is worth 16 points.
The sight singing will be provided in both treble and bass clef. Students are expected to evaluate the score, determine “do” (or “la” in the case of minor) on their own. Students are encouraged to use solfege syllables. These sight reading excerpts may be in a major or minor tonality. Accidentals (sharps & flats) are eligible to be used in the audition sight-singing excerpt.
2. The National Anthem
Students will have the option to perform The National Anthem in four different key signatures. Click on the Key for tonality and starting pitch.
- Key of C (Starting pitch is G)
- Key of B (Starting pitch is F#)
- Key of B ♭ (Starting pitch is F)
- Key of A (Starting pitch is E)
3. 2024 Prepared Selection - How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place
Each student must prepare the following excerpt from How Lovely is The Dwelling Place by Johannes Brahms. All students should perform their part from measure 4-23. Please see the sheet music linked below. Students should perform the voice part that they currently sing in choir unless otherwise directed.
Student performance will be assessed using the Prepared Selection Performance Rubric. Please note that the audition performance will be done sung against a recording of the other voice parts in the ensemble. For example, an auditioning alto will perform their part against the soprano, tenor, and bass parts.
Sheet Music
Practice Tracks