FAQ

Spirito Singers is an ensemble that centers and celebrates the female identity. We welcome girls and nonbinary treble singers in grades 5-12 to our Ragazze and Bravura ensembles. We also welcome men with changed voices ages 18+ to our Men of Spirito ensemble.

Yes! We have an open-door policy regarding Spirito rehearsals – singers are welcome to visit the appropriate rehearsal for their age group (5th-8th graders – Ragazze, 9th-12th graders – Bravura, men 18+ - Men of Spirito) at any point during the semester until 2 weeks before the final concerts. We ask that you let the ensemble director know in advance of your visit, so that we can welcome you and prepare any music you might like to have for the rehearsal. Bravura and Ragazze – cfitzsimmons@spiritosingers.org Men of Spirito – douglaspetersbaritone@gmail.com

All new singers are required to sing an audition prior to enrollment. Please visit our Auditions Page to register for an audition. Spirito offers both private and group auditions. Private auditions may be sung via Zoom or in person at our office. Group auditions are scheduled at the beginning of each semester. Spirito auditions are relaxed and low-stress, and singers do not need to prepare anything for their audition. Singers should be prepared to vocalize to determine range, sing a simple song without accompaniment, play some ear-training and rhythm games, and sight-read (Bravura only). Auditions will last between 10 and 15 minutes, and parents/guardians must accompany their children to auditions.

Spirito rehearsals and elective classes are fast-paced, engaging, and full of new material each week. Thus, it’s extremely important that singers do their best to be present and punctual for every rehearsal. However, we understand that things come up, and occasional absences are necessary. Singers are allowed up to 4 absences per semester, which can be taken for any reason. No makeup rehearsals will be available. An excess of 4 absences might result in a singer being excused from an upcoming concert or tour. Whenever possible, singers should report their absences to their ensemble director and elective class teacher ahead of time so as to find out what they’ll miss and keep up with the class. If singers miss a rehearsal, they should reach out to their section leader to find out what pieces were covered and get any notes or special instructions from that week. If a singer is marked tardy to rehearsal or elective three times, it will count as one absence. Singers who arrive at rehearsal after warmups begin are marked tardy. All singers must attend the mandatory dress rehearsal the week of the concert. Any singer who is absent from the mandatory rehearsal will not be permitted to sing the concert. All singers must be on-time for their concert call. Any singer who arrives late to the concert call might not be permitted to perform.

Service activities are an integral part of our mission, and allow our singers to share their gifts with our communities. Past service activities have included providing music in worship services, singing at nursing homes and assisted living centers, performing at community events, and volunteering at homeless shelters and food pantries. Service activities are considered mandatory performances and participation is required for all singers within the ensemble(s) serving at that event. Conflicts with service dates should be communicated IMMEDIATELY to the ensemble director.