The Power of Singing
Bring out your Inner Music with the Joy and Power of Singing
Over the past four years, Saratoga Voices has blossomed in audience attendance, in diversifying its repertoire, and in broadening the definition of the choral arts in the greater Capital Region. It is now operating at a higher level of artistic achievement and features guest artists with a national reputation.
You are invited
There are many reasons to sing with Saratoga Voices.
- We are a welcoming and diverse group who actively encourages people of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds to get involved and exercise their power of singing.
- We seek opportunities for collaboration across the arts and culture spectrum, including beyond the accepted choral canon.
- We are committed to finding new ways to further diversity, equity, and inclusion within Saratoga Voices and throughout our larger community.
- We strive to make singing an integral part of our lives and share its many benefits and rewards with others.
- We are building our educational activities to serve a need outside of schools and churches for training, performance opportunities, and singing-related resources.
- Our choristers describe our artistic director’s rehearsals as “vocal master classes.”
- Our choristers enjoy making new and deeper connections with music which, in turn, enriches their own lives and brings history and the human experience to life for others.
- We are respectful of different levels of vocal competence, enjoy learning, and wish to provide opportunities to people who do not readily have them.
- We have fun! Historically, our members host open houses and social receptions outside of rehearsals. We hope in the future and when Covid restrictions lessen, that we will once again gather socially.
Quick Links
Registration Form
FAQ
What special Covid considerations are there for performers at the rehearsal venue and for the concert venue?
- BH-BL Covid Waiver for After School Activities needs to be completed
- Saratoga Voices Covid Waiver needs to be completed
- Masks optional
See above right-hand column in the section entitled “Quick Links” (under the image) for waivers.
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How many performances are there this year? When are the performances and rehearsals?
For the 2022-2023 season, Saratoga Voices has planned three performances. Rehearsals are weekly, with additional rehearsals (typically two or three) the week of the performance.
1) The Fall 2022 concert is on Saturday, November 19 at 4 pm. Rehearsals commence: Tuesday, September 6.
2) The Winter Cabaret Dinner Theater 2023 (the second concert of the 2022-2023 season) will be February 11-12, 2023. Rehearsals commence: November 29.
3) The Spring 2023 concert (the third concert of the 2022-2023 season) will be May 13, 2023. Rehearsals commence: February 14.
Are singers required to sing in all concerts for the performing season?
Ensemble balance is critical in the choral arts. Singers are encouraged to sign up for annual registration, and this is reflected financially in the percentage discount singers receive when signing up for the year. Musically, it not only aids the chorus in having a strong foundation in which we learn to breathe and grow as an ensemble, but it also helps determine what repertoire we may pursue. Â
You may choose to register to sing in any number of concerts, paying “a la carte” (per concert) registration.
When and where does Saratoga Voices rehearse?
Saratoga Voices rehearses Tuesday evenings, 7-9, at the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School, 88 Lakehill Road, Burnt Hills NY 12027. Â
Saratoga Voices follows the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School District emergency closing schedule. The district may delay their announcement of canceling evening activities late in the day. If you wish to sign up for emergency closing notification (email or text) from the school, please visit their website for instructions on how to do so or follow this link [https://asp.schoolmessenger.com/burnthillsballstonlake/subscriber/newsubscriber.php].
Hidden - When and where does Saratoga Voices rehearse?
Saratoga Voices rehearses Tuesday evenings, 7:00 to 9:30, at the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School, 88 Lakehill Road, Burnt Hills NY 12027
Saratoga Voices follows the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School District emergency closing schedule. The district may delay their announcement of canceling evening activities late in the day. If you wish to sign up for emergency closing notification (email or text) from the school, please visit their website for instructions on how to do so or follow this link [https://asp.schoolmessenger.com/burnthillsballstonlake/subscriber/newsubscriber.php].
When is the first rehearsal?
The first rehearsal for the Spring 2023 concert will be Tuesday, February 14, 2023 from 7-9 p.m. at the BH-BL High School Chorus Room.
Directions to the chorus room:
- Entering the high school campus from Lake Hill Road, make a right by the security booth and gate arm into the back parking lot (athletic fields and gym entrance area)
- There is a paved pathway leading to doors and a hallway vestibule (if you see the gym/athletic fields, to the left of them)
- After entering the vestibule, make a left and walk down the hallway
- The chorus room entrance is the first set of open doors across from the restrooms/water fountain
If you have completed a Vocal Placement Interview, you will need to schedule one prior to attending rehearsals and sign a Saratoga Voices Covid Waiver Form. All singers must fill out the registration form and sign a BH-BL Covid Waiver Form.
Is there an audition to sing with Saratoga Voices?
There is no audition, but singers will be asked to participate in a “Voice Placement Interview.” If you can match pitch, your voice and talent will be welcome in Saratoga Voices.
The purpose of the voice placement is for our Artistic Director to get to know you and to recommend a voice part. Are you tenor or baritone? Are you soprano 1 or soprano 2? Our Artistic Director will be able to answer such questions and guide you to sing the music your voice is most suited for.
What can I expect during the Vocal Placement Interview?
The interview will last about 10 minutes. Since this is the only opportunity for the Artistic Director to chat with you one-on-one, s/he will spend about 5 minutes just getting to know you. The singing portion will include some vocal warm-ups, pitch and rhythm matching exercises, and singing a few measures of “America the Beautiful” to determine your vocal comfort range.
The purpose of the Vocal Placement Interview is for our artistic team to get to know you and to recommend a voice part. Are you tenor or baritone? Are you soprano 1 or soprano 2? They will be able to answer such questions and guide you to sing the music your voice is most suited for.
“We want everyone to return” assures our Artistic Director. “My agenda is not to cut people out. My agenda is to move us all forward together.”
We have prepared two sample videos so you will know what to expect. The links will be available when you sign up for an interview.
Hidden (CSS) What are the participation fees? How do I register to sing?
Registration fees are $55 for one concert or $132 for all three concerts, plus the cost of music. The annual fee reflects a 20% discount.
The first step is to sign up for a vocal placement interview. At the interview, you will be provided with a registration form. There are links to forms above on this page in the right-hand column.
Vocal placement interviews are being conducted for new singers who did not sing in the 2021 Fall Concert for the 2022 Spring Concert.
To be informed when vocal placement interviews will be offered for future performances send us an email at this link and request to be added to our singer outreach. You are also encouraged to check the website regularly.
How do I schedule a Vocal Placement Interview? When and where will they be?
Vocal Placement Interviews will be arranged between you and the Artistic Director. To arrange a Vocal Placement Interview, click on the “Request Vocal Placement Interview” checkbox on the registration form, which is listed above in the right-hand column or by contacting Dr. Michael Lister (mclister@albany.edu) for an appointed time and include Doug Davis (boardofdirectors@saratogavoices.org) in your request for the interview.
Dr. Lister will contact you to schedule your vocal placement interview, which will be held at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School, 88 Lake Hill Road, Burnt Hills, NY 12027.
To be informed when vocal placement interviews will be offered for future performances send us an email at this link and request to be added to our singer outreach. You are also encouraged to check the website regularly.
Can I use my own music?
Saratoga Voices provides musical scores that are carefully marked by the Artistic Director. The markings include word pronunciations, phrasing and breathing, counting and cut-offs (such as beat placement of a final “s”), interpretive comments, and other valuable and interesting comments about the music. This practice is adopted to add efficiency to rehearsal time and to ensure consistency of execution and performance. Singers are asked to use the provided marked scores during rehearsals and performances. With all singers “being on the same page” the end result is a successful and artistic performance.
Do you have a dress code for performances?
The dress code varies, depending on the genre performed, but is chosen with the goal that singers need not purchase special concert attire. Most likely, you will find what is needed already in your closet.
Further questions
You can send us an email at this link or call the Saratoga Voices phone @ 518-416-4060.
