Next auditions will be April 23, 2013
Please submit your audition form if you are interested in having us contact you for our next round of auditions.
The Oakland-East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus performs a wide variety of repertoire in 3 seasonal concert series and numerous special performances throughout the year.
We have two performance ensembles: OEBGMC is our main group and On-Q is our auditioned select ensemble. Though we are called Oakland-East Bay, we encompass a broad geographic area. We even have singing members who join us from as far as San Jose and Napa!
Rehearsal Schedule
Weekly rehearsals are Tuesday evenings, from 7:15pm until 9:45pm at Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church in the Grand Lake area of Oakland. We also have four to six Saturday rehearsals throughout a season and sectionals are also scheduled by section leaders as needed. On-Q rehearses on Monday evenings, from 7:15pm until 9:15pm, at the Rose Garden Inn in Berkeley.
Audition Process
If you have participated in any type of audition before you may know what to expect. If you haven’t, let us take a moment to calm your fears. The audition process for OEBGMC is quite simple. The ”Sing With Us” brochure explains a little about the chorus and about the audition process.
Here’s what you need to know:
DO: Take a moment and complete the Auditionee Information Form. This will allow you to introduce yourself to us.
DO: Check out the “Sing With Us!” brochure. It will give you more information about what to expect as well as some financial information.
DO: Be ready to spend about up to two and a half hours with us on audition day.
DON’T: Put together an entire ensemble complete with choreography for your audition. While this would be highly entertaining for our Artistic Director it is not necessary. You will be given all of the information and music you need for your audition.
DON’T: Worry! The audition process is seamless and simple. You do not have to be a prodigy or a Broadway star. We want you to bring your unique talents to the table.
Audition Dates
Auditions are held at Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church (Click here for directions to the audition site). We hold auditions three times per year in January, April/May, and September, following each of our concert performances. We offer an open rehearsal date as well to provide you with an opportunity to observe our rehearsal and hear us preparing for our concerts.
If you think you may be interested in auditioning, please complete the Auditionee Information Form and you will receive more information as audition time approaches.
On audition day, you will arrive early to meet a variety of people that will be instrumental in your introduction to and success in the chorus. You will also sit in on rehearsal with us for an hour and then when the chorus is dismissed auditions will begin. After your audition you will be notified of the results via email. Once complete you will be invited to join us for one month. This gives us an opportunity to evaluate you and gives you an opportunity to evaluate us. (No dues are required during this first month.) After this month is up you will have an opportunity to talk to the Artistic Director and your Section Leader about your continuation in the chorus and may receive a formal invitation to become a full member of the chorus.
Try Before You Buy
Please consider seeing us in action! Our home page has concert information listed and you may purchase tickets through Brown Paper Tickets. We also have a CD available for purchase and our YouTube channel is currently under construction.
Contact us If you have any questions or would like more information on auditions, please email us at membership@oebgmc.org, and our Membership Committee will reply to you as soon as possible.
