Phoenix Symphony Chorus

The Phoenix Symphony Chorus was outstanding—robust and riveting.”

Herbert Paine, BWW Reviews (review of 2014 performance of Carmina burana)

"The Phoenix Symphony Chorus... displays an excellent sense of sustained lines with cohesive power and precision."

Christian Dalzon, ConcertoNet.com (review of 2013 performance of Cantata Criolla by Antonio Estevez)

"The chorus, especially, has become in recent years one of the gems of Phoenix's cultural scene. It is a great chorus."

Richard Nilsen, Arizona Republic

About the Chorus
Founded in 2001, the Chorus serves as a professional-level performing partner for Arizona's only full-time orchestra. The Chorus is comprised of over 140 volunteers and is governed by its own members in partnership with the Chorus Master and The Phoenix Symphony staff. Chorus members collectively donate more than 12,000 hours of service to music and The Phoenix Symphony each year. 

The Chorus joins the Symphony for several concerts each season with performances ranging from audience favorites such as Orff's Carmina Burana and Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 to exciting works rarely performed in the U.S. such as Estevez' Cantata Criolla and Kodaly's Psalmus Hungaricus. The Chorus also regularly participates in the Symphony's pops series as well, helping bring to life music from Broadway, Hollywood, and even video games. Annual highlights for the Chorus include the Symphony's Holiday Pops concert and Handel's Messiah. The Chorus has twice performed with the Symphony in concert with Andrea Bocelli.

The Chorus recently traveled to New York City to participate in a festival chorus performing Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass at Carnegie Hall under the direction of Dr. Thomas Bookhout. The concert also featured Dr. Bookhout and the Phoenix Symphony Chorus performing "Pilgrims' Hymn" by Stephen Paulus and Psalm of Ascension, a newly commissioned piece by composer Dan Forrest.

The Phoenix Symphony Chorus is led by Chorus Master Dr. Thomas Bookhout, and is joined in rehearsals by Larry Loeber, a regular pianist for The Phoenix Symphony. 
 

The Staff

Thomas Bookhout, Chorus Master

Larry Loeber, Collaborative Pianist

The Phoenix Symphony Chorus

Auditions
Audition Dates for The Phoenix Symphony Chorus, 2019-20 (by invitation only; see the following instructions):

Audition Requirements:
New members of the Chorus are selected by audition, as openings in the Chorus allow. At the present time, the Chorus will be auditioning for the following voices for the upcoming season:

• Soprano
• Alto
• Tenor
• Bass 

Experienced singers over the age of 18 who can read music are invited to audition. Singers who are selected for the Chorus are expected to participate in all rehearsals and performances of the season. The audition process is as follows:

1. Indicate your desire to audition for the Chorus by completing the online Prospective Member Information Form and emailing the following to tpsc06@gmail.com. Materials should be received no less than two weeks before a scheduled on-site audition date. TPSC cannot guarantee that materials received after that date can be scheduled for an audition.
   A.) Email a brief note of introduction, highlighting your singing and other musical experience and training. (You will have a chance to provide more detail in the Prospective Member Information Form)
   B.) Attach a brief audio or video sample, or include a YouTube link to a video of yourself singing alone.
   *You may submit a recording in any digital format, no longer than 4 minutes in length, recorded using a video camera, your computer camera, or even your phone's camera. The quality only needs to be of sufficient quality to reasonably represent your voice. Make sure your voice can be heard clearly on the recording.  
   *Perform an art song, aria, folk song, or hymn (not pop, jazz or Broadway songs) in any language, with or without accompaniment.
   *Perform in the vocal range for which you wish to be considered in the Chorus. (e.g. very high for Soprano 1, very low for Bass 2). 
2. The Chorus Master will review the submitted recording and Prospective Member Information Form, and will extend invitations for on-site auditions to qualified singers.
3. During a 10-15 minute on-site audition, the singer will be asked to perform a prepared solo, to sight sing and to demonstrate his/her voice in simple vocalizing exercises. A professional pianist is provided during the audition to play the piano part of any vocal solo.
4. The Chorus Master will re-hear members of the Chorus each  year at his discretion.

Remember to LIKE the Phoenix Symphony Chorus on Facebook or visit our website at phoenixsymphonychorus.org for more information.