Chorus auditions for the 2008-2009 Vocal Apprenticeship Program (ages 8-17) will be held for all ensembles on Saturday, September 6 at the Boston Latin School, 78 Avenue Louis Pasteur in Boston, 617 635 8895. Auditions for fall entrance into VAP Soloists were held Saturday, June 21, at New England Conservatory, 241 St. Botolph Street from 10am to 4pm. For more information, please download the PDF of the Education Outreach Program Brochure or contact Robin Baker at 617 262 1815, ext. 126.

Choral options include:

* Singers (preparatory choir, ages 8-11)
* Youth Chorus (ages 10-14, unchanged male voices, music reading skills)
*Young Men's Chorus (ages 12-18, music reading skills desirable)
* Young Women's Chorus (grade 9-12, advanced music reading skills needed)

CLICK HERE to learn more about these ensembles.

Rehearsals and classes for VAP ensembles begin September 13, 2008 at the Boston Latin School. The VAP Soloists schedule follows the New England Conservatory calendar.

Theory classes are held before or after chorus rehearsals.

REQUIREMENTS: Please contact Robin Baker, Director of Education, to arrange an audition time in advance. A written recommendation from a music teacher is encouraged. Applicants will be notified by phone or mail of the results.

Those auditioning for chorus should prepare the first verse of America ("My Country 'Tis of Thee"). In the audition, they will also be asked to sing a few exercises to determine vocal range and musicianship level. Soloists should bring a musical selection of their choice of not more than 3 minutes; an accompanist will be provided. All of this will take only about 10 minutes! Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early so that all auditions will run smoothly.

COST: VAP tuition is $320 per year; full- to partial-scholarship assistance is available. Boston Public/Boston Catholic School students are offered a reduced rate of $100 per year (Project STEP and other schools may qualify) and Boston Latin School students are admitted at no cost. VAP High SChool Soloists pay $100 a year (partial-scholarships are available).

DIRECTIONS:

Boston Latin School: 78 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston. 617-635-8895

By car: Take Huntington AVenue outbound (past MFA, Mass College of Art and Design) to Longwood Avenue (Medical Area). Turn right onto Longwood Avenue, and then take your second right onto Avenue Louis Pasteur. Parking is available in the main school lot, to the right of or behind the main building.

By public transportation: Green "E" line to Longwood Stop, or #39 bus to Longwood Medical stop. Follow Longwood Avenue (towards Children's Hospital), second right onto Avenue Louis Pasteur.

New England Conservatory: 290 Huntington Avenue, Boston. 617 585 1100

NEC is near Symphony Hall (one block going towards the MFA) at the corner of Huntington AVenue and Gainsborough Street. Public transportation includes the Symphony T stop (Green "E" line), Mass Ave T stop (Orange line), or buses 1, 39, or CT1.