If you are auditioning students for the first time, the information for auditions can be really overwhelming.  Here are some of the most common questions directors ask about auditioning for the festival.  If you have any questions about the audition process please contact the event coordinators Pam Crockett: pcrockett@npsdnj.org and Kaitlyn Reiser: kreiser@spfk12.org

  • What are the age ranges for each choir?
    • Elementary are grades 4-6
    • Junior High are grades 7-9
  • What is the time commitment for the students?
    • Students accepted must attend the entirety of rehearsal date and festival date to participate.  There are no conflict exceptions.
    • Students must prepare music with their sponsoring director in advance of the rehearsal date.
  • What is the time commitment for the sponsoring directors?
    • Directors are asked to attend two of the three dates.  This timing may reduced to one date if there are enough directors involved to cover the needed roles to oversee the kids.
    • Directors will receive professional development hours for dates attended.
  • Who can audition?
    • Students of sponsoring directors that are members NJMEA or ACDA.
  • What is the cost of auditioning?
    • $8.00 per student
    • If accepted there is a $25 fee.
  • Is there a live audition?
    • No. Students create an mp3 with their directors using the script given on the auditions page.
  • Why an mp3?
    • The website will not allow you to upload other audio file types.  Please use an online file converter to create an mp3.
  • What are reasons my student’s recording would get disqualified? 
    • Playing starting pitch with singer, or overlapping of starting pitch and singer.  There should be a one second gap between given pitch and singer.  Teachers should not be heard on the recording at all.
    • Use of audio enhancement effects such as reverb or auto-tune.  
    • Missing pieces of audition requirements.
    • Incorrect age group for ensemble.
    • Empty audio file.
    • Audition fee not received
  • Do I need to do the entire audition in one take?
    • No.  Each section of the audition may be recorded separately and combined into a single track on a software program such as Garageband.
    • However, an individual section must be recorded in a single take (For example: The first vocalise cannot have an edited portion within the singing segment.  However, vocalise 1 and vocalise 2 can be recorded separately.)  Evidence of splicing or audio enhancement effects in the middle of a single singing section will result in disqualification.
  • Why do I need to submit the check form after filling out online forms?
    • For the audition managers to make sure your check is associated with your students.
  • Following the judging date, when will you find out if your student got in to the ensemble?
    • Within 2 weeks of the judging date.