Sing with us

Handel Choir is comprised of professional and volunteer singers of all ages and backgrounds who are dedicated to presenting professional-caliber performances of choral and choral-orchestral repertoire as well as music new to Baltimore audiences.

Community Member Auditions

Auditions are held in late Spring and Summer yearly. Sign up for our mailing list to hear about upcoming audition dates! Mid-season auditions will be heard by appointment only. Please email hello@handelchoir.org to schedule.

Soloist and Pro Chorister Auditions

To be considered for a soloist or pro chorister audition please email hello@handelchoir.org with the title Soloist/Pro Audition Request - (your name), (voice part).

Your email must include:

  • a bio, resume, CV or equivalent with email and phone number

  • audio files attached or links to audio or video (links are preferred).

  • include text identifying (1) the composer and title of featured material and (2) the year the recording was made.

Artistic Director Brian Bartoldus will review your materials and contact you directly if he would like to set up an audition.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Rehearsals for the new season will begin after Labor Day. The season will begin with a Saturday choir retreat. Handel Choir rehearses Monday nights from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m., with four Tuesday night sectional rehearsals per season, and mandatory working and dress rehearsals during the two weeks prior to a subscription concert.

    In each of the subscription concert periods (September-December for Messiah and January through early May) a maximum of two rehearsal absences is permitted. Singers are expected to work on their music individually in between rehearsals, preparing assigned passages and reviewing music that proved challenging during prior rehearsals.

  • Our semi-professional singers have a wide range of musical backgrounds; several are professional musicians. Singers range in age from early 20s to early 70s, and we come from the Baltimore/DC/Pennsylvania and Western Maryland regions. Handel Choir is a friendly group, and we get to know each other as friends as well as musicians.

  • Annual membership dues of $250 are collected at the start of the season or may be paid in two installments in September and the following January. Vocal scores for the season are available to members to purchase at cost. Members are welcome to use scores from their own collection provided the editions are the same. Handel choir is a tablet-friendly choir, and digital editions will be available. Black music folders or tablet covers are required for concerts. Financial aid is available to ensure that all qualified singers are able to participate.

  • Please bring one solo selection of your choosing, whether an aria, art song, folk song, hymn, or patriotic anthem. You will most likely perform only a brief portion of the work. We advise that you not to pick music that tests the limits of your range or vocal technique; rather, bring a work that you can sing confidently and expressively. Please provide two copies of your music; one for the director, and one for the accompanist. You should also be prepared to sing a series of exercises to determine the range and color of your voice, as well as ear training and sight-singing exercises.

  • Singers audition individually with the artistic director. You will be asked to sing vocal exercises as demonstrated, to further assess voice category and color, and you will sight-read a relatively simple melody and rhythm to demonstrate musicianship skills. Prior instrumental and/or vocal solo or ensemble experience is strongly recommended. Your audition will last approximately eight minutes.

  • Towson Unitarian Universalist Church, 1710 Dulaney Valley Rd, Timonium, MD 21093