AUDITION FOR THE CHORUS & CHAMBER SINGERS
Chorus & Chamber Singers Auditions
The Gwinnett Symphony Chorus invites singers from throughout metro Atlanta to audition for the 2026–2027 season. Opportunities are available in both the Gwinnett Symphony Chorus and the select Gwinnett Symphony Chamber Singers.
Whether you are an experienced choral musician, music educator, church singer, college student, or passionate community vocalist, we welcome your interest in joining one of the region’s most active volunteer choral programs.
The 2026–2027 season features a diverse range of performances, including Handel’s Messiah, Holiday Pops with acclaimed vocalist and trumpeter Joe Gransden, Morten Lauridsen’s Mid-Winter Songs, and René Clausen’s Memorial. Singers will have opportunities to perform with symphony orchestra, guest artists, and fellow musicians who share a commitment to artistic excellence and musical community.
This page contains information regarding our ensembles, audition opportunities, season performances, rehearsal expectations, membership dues, and important deadlines. Prospective singers are encouraged to review all information carefully before submitting an audition request.
Whether you are an experienced choral musician, music educator, church singer, college student, or passionate community vocalist, we welcome your interest in joining one of the region’s most active volunteer choral programs.
The 2026–2027 season features a diverse range of performances, including Handel’s Messiah, Holiday Pops with acclaimed vocalist and trumpeter Joe Gransden, Morten Lauridsen’s Mid-Winter Songs, and René Clausen’s Memorial. Singers will have opportunities to perform with symphony orchestra, guest artists, and fellow musicians who share a commitment to artistic excellence and musical community.
This page contains information regarding our ensembles, audition opportunities, season performances, rehearsal expectations, membership dues, and important deadlines. Prospective singers are encouraged to review all information carefully before submitting an audition request.
About Gwinnett Symphony Chorus
Founded in 2007 by conductor Rick Smith, the Gwinnett Symphony Chorus has grown into one of the region’s leading volunteer choral ensembles. The Chorus performs a wide variety of repertoire including major choral-orchestral masterworks, holiday favorites, contemporary works, pops concerts, and community collaborations.
Over the years, the ensemble has earned a reputation for artistic excellence while maintaining a welcoming and supportive environment for singers of varying backgrounds and experience levels. Chorus members include music educators, church musicians, college students, retirees, and dedicated community singers from throughout metropolitan Atlanta.
The Chorus has collaborated with distinguished conductors, composers, and performing organizations, including a featured appearance at Lincoln Center in New York City commemorating the tenth anniversary of September 11 through a performance of René Clausen’s Memorial.
While we strive for musical excellence, we also believe that great choral singing is built upon encouragement, preparation, mentorship, and a shared love of music-making.
We encourage all applicants to explore our website, social media channels, concert recordings, and season offerings to learn more about the orchestra’s mission, culture, and artistic activities before submitting an audition.
Over the years, the ensemble has earned a reputation for artistic excellence while maintaining a welcoming and supportive environment for singers of varying backgrounds and experience levels. Chorus members include music educators, church musicians, college students, retirees, and dedicated community singers from throughout metropolitan Atlanta.
The Chorus has collaborated with distinguished conductors, composers, and performing organizations, including a featured appearance at Lincoln Center in New York City commemorating the tenth anniversary of September 11 through a performance of René Clausen’s Memorial.
While we strive for musical excellence, we also believe that great choral singing is built upon encouragement, preparation, mentorship, and a shared love of music-making.
We encourage all applicants to explore our website, social media channels, concert recordings, and season offerings to learn more about the orchestra’s mission, culture, and artistic activities before submitting an audition.
About the Chamber Singers
Founded in 2022, the Gwinnett Symphony Chamber Singers is a select vocal ensemble drawn from members of the Symphony Chorus. Dedicated to chamber repertoire, community performances, and regional appearances, the ensemble provides additional artistic opportunities for singers with strong musicianship and independent vocal skills. Membership in the Chamber Singers is by audition and invitation.
Why Sing With Us?
Members of the Gwinnett Symphony choral program enjoy opportunities to:
• Perform with full symphony orchestra
• Collaborate with guest artists and conductors
• Sing major choral-orchestral masterworks
• Participate in holiday and pops programming
• Perform advanced chamber repertoire
• Build friendships with singers from throughout metro Atlanta
• Grow musically in a supportive and welcoming environment
• Perform with full symphony orchestra
• Collaborate with guest artists and conductors
• Sing major choral-orchestral masterworks
• Participate in holiday and pops programming
• Perform advanced chamber repertoire
• Build friendships with singers from throughout metro Atlanta
• Grow musically in a supportive and welcoming environment
Audition Timeline
Chamber Singers – Fall 2026
First Rehearsal: September 8, 2026
Application Deadline: September 6, 2026
Auditions: September 8, 2026 (6:00–7:00 PM)
Symphony Chorus – Fall 2026
First Rehearsal: October 6, 2026
Application Deadline: October 4, 2026
Auditions: October 6, 2026 (6:00–7:00 PM)
Symphony Chorus – Spring 2027
First Rehearsal: January 19, 2027
Application Deadline: January 17, 2027
Auditions: January 19, 2027 (6:00–7:00 PM)
First Rehearsal: September 8, 2026
Application Deadline: September 6, 2026
Auditions: September 8, 2026 (6:00–7:00 PM)
Symphony Chorus – Fall 2026
First Rehearsal: October 6, 2026
Application Deadline: October 4, 2026
Auditions: October 6, 2026 (6:00–7:00 PM)
Symphony Chorus – Spring 2027
First Rehearsal: January 19, 2027
Application Deadline: January 17, 2027
Auditions: January 19, 2027 (6:00–7:00 PM)
Current Audition Opportunities
The Gwinnett Symphony Chorus welcomes qualified singers in all voice parts:
• Soprano
• Alto
• Tenor
• Bass
While all voice parts are encouraged to apply, additional tenors and basses are especially needed.
• Soprano
• Alto
• Tenor
• Bass
While all voice parts are encouraged to apply, additional tenors and basses are especially needed.
2026–2027 Rehearsals
Rehearsals are held at:
Discovery High School Lawrenceville, Georgia
Tuesdays, 7:00–9:00 PM
Auditions for new members are conducted during the hour immediately preceding the first rehearsal of each concert cycle.
Discovery High School Lawrenceville, Georgia
Tuesdays, 7:00–9:00 PM
Auditions for new members are conducted during the hour immediately preceding the first rehearsal of each concert cycle.
2026–2027 Choral Season
Back-to-Back
Sunday, November 1, 2026 • 7:00 PM Lawrenceville Arts Center – Grand Stage
Featuring the Gwinnett Symphony Chamber Singers
Morten Lauridsen — Mid-Winter Songs
Also featuring: Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra, Brass Choir, and Youth Orchestra
Conductors: Rick Smith, Gregory Pritchard, and Robert Trocina
Messiah Sing-Along
Sunday, November 22, 2026 • 3:00 PM Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church
George Frideric Handel Messiah, Part One
Hallelujah Chorus
Featuring: Gwinnett Symphony Chorus Soloists Rick Smith, Conductor
Holiday Pops with Joe Gransden
Saturday, December 5, 2026 • 7:00 PM
Sunday, December 6, 2026 • 4:00 PM
Lawrenceville Arts Center – Grand Stage
Featuring: Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
Joe Gransden Vocals and Trumpet
Conductors: Rick Smith and Robert Trocina
An American Portrait: Clausen, Copland & Hanson
Sunday, May 2, 2027 • 6:00 PM Lawrenceville Arts Center – Grand Stage
René Clausen — Memorial Aaron Copland — An Outdoor Overture Howard Hanson — Symphony No. 2
Featuring: Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
Conductors: Gregory Pritchard, Rick Smith, and Robert Trocina
The season concludes with René Clausen’s moving Memorial, a work that holds special significance in the history of the Gwinnett Symphony Chorus.
Sunday, November 1, 2026 • 7:00 PM Lawrenceville Arts Center – Grand Stage
Featuring the Gwinnett Symphony Chamber Singers
Morten Lauridsen — Mid-Winter Songs
Also featuring: Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra, Brass Choir, and Youth Orchestra
Conductors: Rick Smith, Gregory Pritchard, and Robert Trocina
Messiah Sing-Along
Sunday, November 22, 2026 • 3:00 PM Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church
George Frideric Handel Messiah, Part One
Hallelujah Chorus
Featuring: Gwinnett Symphony Chorus Soloists Rick Smith, Conductor
Holiday Pops with Joe Gransden
Saturday, December 5, 2026 • 7:00 PM
Sunday, December 6, 2026 • 4:00 PM
Lawrenceville Arts Center – Grand Stage
Featuring: Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
Joe Gransden Vocals and Trumpet
Conductors: Rick Smith and Robert Trocina
An American Portrait: Clausen, Copland & Hanson
Sunday, May 2, 2027 • 6:00 PM Lawrenceville Arts Center – Grand Stage
René Clausen — Memorial Aaron Copland — An Outdoor Overture Howard Hanson — Symphony No. 2
Featuring: Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
Conductors: Gregory Pritchard, Rick Smith, and Robert Trocina
The season concludes with René Clausen’s moving Memorial, a work that holds special significance in the history of the Gwinnett Symphony Chorus.
Attendance Expectations
- Membership in the Gwinnett Symphony Chorus requires a commitment to regular attendance and preparation.
- Singers are expected to attend a minimum of 75% of scheduled rehearsals for each concert cycle.
- Concerts, dress rehearsals, and final rehearsals are considered mandatory.
- Members with excessive absences may be asked to demonstrate adequate preparation of the music before being approved to perform.
- Consistent attendance, preparation, reliability, and professionalism are important factors in maintaining membership and consideration for Chamber Singers participation.
Audition Requirements
New members need audition only once for consideration in either the Symphony Chorus or Chamber Singers. Auditions are intended to help us get to know your voice and place you appropriately within the ensemble. The process is supportive, informal, and designed to help singers feel comfortable while demonstrating their musical abilities.
All applicants should expect:
The sight-reading portion consists of a short line of simple music and is intended only to help us evaluate basic music-reading skills. Singers interested in Chamber Singers placement should also prepare a brief unaccompanied selection that demonstrates vocal ability and musicality
All applicants should expect:
- Vocal range assessment
- Tonal memory and pitch exercises
- A brief sight-reading exercise
The sight-reading portion consists of a short line of simple music and is intended only to help us evaluate basic music-reading skills. Singers interested in Chamber Singers placement should also prepare a brief unaccompanied selection that demonstrates vocal ability and musicality
Membership Dues
Symphony Chorus:
$75 per concert cycle
Chamber Singers:
Additional $25 per concert cycle
Active students through the college level participate free of charge and are exempt from membership dues.
$75 per concert cycle
Chamber Singers:
Additional $25 per concert cycle
Active students through the college level participate free of charge and are exempt from membership dues.
Additional Information
Because rehearsals build progressively throughout each concert cycle, singers are generally expected to begin participation at the start of a cycle. Mid-cycle admissions are uncommon and are granted only under exceptional circumstances. We encourage prospective singers to explore our concerts, recordings, and organizational activities to learn more about the Gwinnett Symphony family before auditioning. We look forward to meeting you and sharing music together during the 2026–2027 season.