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Student singing solo in Black Music Ensemble

Black Music Ensemble

Music and Performing Arts Professions Ensembles

Black Music Ensemble is a chorus of treble voices -- sopranos and altos -- that performs music of the African & African-American sacred and secular traditions. B.M.E. exclusively performs music by Black and Brown composers, is LGBTQIA+ affirming, and gender inclusive of all singers. Conducted by Eric Williamson

Who Can Register

Sopranos and altos from all corners of the NYU community (students, faculty, and staff) by audition. Choral Ensembles are courses taken for credit; students must register for them. Please refer to the course catalog for more information regarding registration for these courses: MPAVP-UE 1181.006 and MPAVP-GE 2181.006.

Audition Information

Auditions for the Fall 2024 semester will be held on Tuesday, January 21; Wednesday, January 22; and Thursday, January 23 from 7:00-10:00 pm.

To request an audition, please fill out this FORM no later than Monday, January 20, 2025.

The audition will consist of:

  1. A vocal solo, chosen by you. Please limit it to no more than 2 minutes in length. (See below for important considerations regarding song selection.)
  2. Sight singing.
  3. Pitch matching and vocal range exercises.

The only thing you need to bring to your audition is a score for the pianist.

When choosing an audition song, consider the following:

  • Select a song that allows you to demonstrate solid, vibrant, and healthy vocalism.
  • Select a song that emphasizes your vocal gifts and your ability to communicate through singing.
  • The song can be in any style or genre.
  • The song can be in any language.
  • The song is expected to be performed with piano accompaniment; a pianist is provided for the audition.
  • Please bring a score for the pianist -- a photocopy is fine.
  • While not required, it is recommended you sing your 2-minute song excerpt from memory.
  • It is best not to confuse the adjudicator with your song choice. For example, it can be confusing if you indicate that you normally sing Soprano 1 in choir but then perform a song in a range, style, and/or vocalism that doesn’t reflect that.

Course Meeting Time

Weekly rehearsals are scheduled for 7:10-9:10 pm on Wednesdays beginning on January 29, 2025.  

Performances 

NYU Chorale will perform in a Choral Arts concert in May 2025.

Contact Information

Eric Williamson, Conductor of Black Music Ensemble.