Want to sing with OperaQ? OPERA AT JIMBOUR TOOWOOMBA COMMUNITY CHORUS WHAT IS OPERA AT JIMBOUR: FLEDERMAUS? Opera at Jimbour is now one of Queensland’s truly iconic music events – and rightly so. Jimbour is the only place in the world where you can picnic with a magnificent sandstone mansion in the background and spend the afternoon listening to opera! This year, Queensland Music Festival and OperaQ will turn the paddock into the World’s Biggest Ballroom with a special treat – a semi-staged concert of Johann Strauss’ champagne operetta, Fledermaus (aka The Bat) – a risqué tale of hidden identity, deception, and revenge. Jason Barry-Smith plays a philandering husband caught in the act at Prince Orlovsky’s masked ball – as is Emily Burke, his equally adventurous wife! Their night of illicit pleasure unravels in jail the next morning, as the masks come off and true identities are revealed. A fabulous cast of Queensland’s favourite singers includes Shaun Brown, Virgilio Marino and Hayley Sugars as the cross-dressing Russian ‘Prince’ Orlovsky. Fledermaus is a semi-staged concert directed by OperaQ’s Artistic Director Lindy Hume. The performance will be led by conductor Andrew Mogrelia and feature orchestral players from The Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra. The performance is presented by Queensland Music Festival, Western Downs Regional Council, Opera Queensland and Russell Pastoral. For more information see www.operaq2015.com.au/whatson/fledermaus/ or www.qmf.org.au/opera-at-jimbour-2015/ AUDITION INFO Please contact the Toowoomba Community Chorus Coordinator, Jeanette Wedmaier, to arrange audition scheduling. Auditions will be conducted by Chorus Master Arthur Johnston with OperaQ’s Jason Barry-Smith in the Empire Theatre Studio on Friday 12 June from 5.00pm-9.30pm and Saturday 13 June from 10am – 1.00pm. All auditionees must be 16+ PROPOSED REHEARSAL SCHEDULE (Rehearsals are subject to change) Wed 24 June Wed 1 July Thurs 9 July Wed 15 July Sat 18 July Wed 22 July 6:30pm-9:30pm 6:30pm-9:30pm 6:30pm-9:30pm 6:30pm-9:30pm 3:00pm-5:00pm 7:30pm-10:00pm Toowoomba – Arthur Johnson Toowoomba – Arthur Johnson Toowoomba – Arthur Johnson Toowoomba – Arthur Johnson Toowoomba – Andrew Mogrelia Old Museum, Brisbane (with BPO, Andrew Mogrelia) PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE Sat 25 July 7:30am-9:30am 10:00am-1:00pm 2:00pm 4:30pm-6:15pm Chorus travel to Jimbour Station (115km, 1h45min) Rehearsal including Sound Check Performance Chorus travel to Toowoomba FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AUDITION FAQs Can anyone get involved, even if you’ve never sung before? Prior solo or choral experience or training is an advantage but not obligatory. So if you’re a great bathroom baritone or shower soprano and want to try singing in a chorus, you’re very welcome to come along and give it a go in front of our friendly audition panel. How many people will make it through auditions to be part of the final chorus? 46 adults Can I audition in a group? Yes you can. Please contact Jeanette Wedmaier if you wish to audition as a group. What do I have to prepare for the audition? Bring and perform one song in English Will a pianist be available at my audition? Yes. Please bring a copy of your chosen audition piece which should be marked up with any cuts, repeats, pauses or breaths and in the key you will be singing. For this audition, transposing on the day is not possible. If your music has more than two or three pages, loose sheets are not acceptable - please glue into a scrapbook or place in a folder. You will have the opportunity to show the pianist your music and briefly discuss tempo, repeats etc before your audition. Can we use a backing track? Certainly, whatever you’re most comfortable with. Please bring your backing track on a USB, CD or smart phone with an appropriate lead (to connect with a laptop). Can I sing unaccompanied at the audition? Can I accompany myself on guitar (etc)? Yes, you certainly can. What happens if I’m away or can’t audition on the dates shown? I would really like to be considered. Let us know and we’ll get you to send us a recording instead. REGISTRATION FAQs I nominated an audition song on the form but I need to change it - what should I do? Email the co-ordinator if you wish, or you can just let the panel (and pianist if you are singing with accompaniment) know when you arrive for your audition. I’m not sure which piece I’m going to sing yet. You can leave it blank and announce your choice on the day. If you are just deciding between two options, feel free to say “Song A or Song B to be confirmed”. I’m not sure what voice type I am. Do I have to fill in the box? Feel free to write “Soprano or Alto” or “Tenor, happy to sing high bass parts”, or simply “not sure”. REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE FAQs If I’m selected, what language will I be singing? English Do you have to pay to take part in the Opera at Jimbour Toowoomba Community Chorus? No Will chorus members be paid? No Will there be transport available? Yes. A bus will be provided to transport Toowoomba Community Chorus members to Brisbane and back for a rehearsal with the orchestra. A bus will also be provided for transport to and from Jimbour on the day of the performance. I only have a simple folk song - is that suitable for an opera audition? Yes, sing whatever makes you most comfortable, including folk songs, ballads, oratorio and art songs. Very contemporary styles such as “belting” or musicals, rock or songs that sound best with a microphone, may not be as useful as a more classical style. If you can’t think of anything you know, try a song such as “Amazing Grace”, “Danny Boy” or even “Advance Australia Fair” - they are all perfectly fine choices. Do my friends and family have to pay to attend the performance? No – this is a free, outdoor event. For more information see www.qmf.org.au/opera-atjimbour-2015/ Can I hold the words or sheet music while I audition? Yes, certainly. For further enquiries please contact the Toowoomba Community Chorus Coordinator, Jeanette Wedmaier on 0417 743 821 or at [email protected] What else might happen at the audition? If the panel need to know more about your upper or lower range they may ask you to sing along a scale with the piano. How long will the performance be? Approximately 2 hours with a 20 minute interval.
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