So You Want to Try a Solo

Every season, somewhere around week five, the same email goes out to the chorus. It answers the same four questions, because every season there are new people asking them. Here it is, more or less as it appears in your inbox.

Solos? What solos?

In most of the group songs this session — and this includes the kids and the teens too — there will be opportunities for a singer to sing the lead vocal of a song. Sometimes the soloist is backed by just the band, sometimes by the rest of the chorus, and sometimes with another singer as a duet or trio.

This sounds awesome! How do I try out?

Over the coming weeks, Emily and Chris will be asking for volunteers to try various solos during rehearsal. There is always an opportunity to raise your hand, but we recognize things can move very quickly. If there is a solo you would like to try, email Emily beforehand so we can be sure you get your chance. If you'd rather try outside of rehearsal, say so and she or Chris will make themselves available for a few minutes before or after.

Hmmmm... I don't know if I want to do that....

We're a super relaxed and friendly group, and we want this process to be as stress-free as possible for everyone. There will be plenty of opportunities in the coming weeks. If you're not sure which solos would suit your range, Chris can suggest some. Some of the rhythms are tricky, so listen to the pitch-shifted recordings first. And it's also totally fine to mess up when trying a solo. Chris will most likely have you try again, sometimes with a helper singer to keep you on track.

What if my child wants to try?

The kids use exactly the same process. Parents, please explain to your kids that trying out doesn't guarantee they'll sing it in the concert. That's a hard concept for our younger singers, and we don't want them discouraged.

Solos are announced by email a few weeks before the show. Some people get one they never tried out for, because Chris and Emily heard something. Some people try for years. Both are fine. The point was never the solo.

That's all folks!