San Diego Queer Youth Chorus

New SDQYC performers should have:

• Some choral, show choir or musical theater experience, whether from having sung in a church, school or community group.
• The ability to sight-read and/or sing back immediately what is heard.
• The ability to learn text in other languages and memorize music for performances.
• The ability to move rhythmically.
• The desire to perform a wide variety of music and have fun.

SDQYC Pride Season III begins October 3, 2021 and runs to the end of July 2022 with weekly rehearsals and two major concert productions. Singers are expected to commit to our rehearsal and performance schedule for a minimum of one year. Attendance at rehearsals and performances is mandatory.

Regular SDQYC rehearsals are held Sundays 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm in accord with SD County Health Department guidelines. Our regular rehearsal space is at University Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 3900 Cleveland Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

Major SDQYC concert productions during the 2019-20 Season 1 included performances with Jason Mraz with TranscenDANCE, Banding Together, Malashock Dance Company, Pan Ensemble and more, for two sold-out performances at the Spreckels Theater February 15 and 16, 2020.

Fulfilling SDQYC’s mission and vision, community performances are scheduled for Transgender Day of Empowerment and other LGBTQIA2+ community events. The SDQYC may also have opportunities to perform with the other two LGBTQ+ choruses in the region, the San Diego Women’s Chorus and the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus. A detailed schedule of all confirmed dates for the upcoming season are provided at audition time.

There are no fees to participate in the SDQYC. Members can expect to provide their own travel to and from rehearsals and performances, retreats and social events. Social events are optional and scholarships will be available for touring. Members will need to provide some concert attire; bottoms, pants and skirts, etc.

Performers are expected to fulfill SDQYC’s mission, vision and core values and strive for excellence in performance. Therefore, the ability to rehearse and learn your music in a timely manner is really important. Punctuality and preparation are expected. SDQYC requires that each singer provide their own dress concert attire. For many performances, this will be a classy, elegant, all-black outfit with black shoes. Costumes will be required for the stage shows and help will be given to provide them.

As performers, you may be asked to volunteer your talents, skills, additional time or resources for organizational events and fundraisers. While participation is voluntary, it is always welcomed and greatly appreciated. Performers will have the opportunity to perform at special events. SDQYC’s special appearances this past season included:

• San Diego Queer Youth Chorus virtual performance ‘Fresh & Original’ March 2021
• San Diego Pride 2020 Virtual Light Up the Cathedral
• San Diego Pride 2020 Virtual Pride Festival

SDQYC’s special appearances this coming season include:

• San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus
• San Diego Women’s Chorus

SDQYC has Fall and Winter membership retreats and takes advantage of other outside activities for a chance to get away from our usual rehearsal space and to get to know each other better.

The audition consists of two parts: a musical audition and an interview. The entire process takes approximately 15 minutes. During the musical audition, the Artistic Director will ask you to:

• Sing scales and warm-ups to determine tonal quality and range
• Repeat simple melodic patterns to ascertain tonal memory and pitch recognition
• Perform a short a cappella piece of your choice in any style to showcase your musicality

During the interview, you may be asked questions such as:

• What brought you to SDQYC?
• What – if any – are your expectations of the organization?
• How do you feel you can contribute toward the mission and vision of SDQYC?

Also during this process, we will give you a schedule for the entire season and review responsibilities of membership with you. This will be the perfect time for you to ask any questions.