The Audition Process
Over the years, Praise & Harmony has grown and changed. In the beginning, it was primarily an audio ministry meant to help preserve four-part a cappella harmony in churches and provide training materials that utilize easy methods so that everyone, even beginners, can learn to sing. The goal remains the same, but video has become an important element of this ministry. Because of this, we are now only accepting video auditions rather than audio-only auditions. This helps us to evaluate visual expressiveness in addition to pitch, blend, and musical accuracy.
Every individual who hopes to attend must register and audition. No exceptions. Those who are accepted will be expected to upload three assigned songs at each of the three designated check-in times between auditions and the recording. This means that you will upload a total of 9 songs PLUS the audition song. The purpose of these check-ins is to provide accountability and feedback to help you be as prepared as possible before the recording. Those who have sung in at least three (3), in-person, on-location recordings are exempt from the check-in requirement but must still submit an audition.
Audition Tips
- Practice, practice, practice! Take time to learn the music. We recommend that you memorize the audition piece so that you can look at the camera rather than a piece of paper for your audition.
- At the beginning of your audition video, please state your name, voice part, location, and the name of your home church.
- Be sure to sing the entire song and make sure that we can hear your voice clearly with no special effects added.
- No “scooping” (or sliding up to notes) at the beginning of notes or phrases.
- Eliminate vibrato. With a large group of singers, we achieve a cleaner sound without vibrato.
- Be expressive! Your audition video will be evaluated alongside the audio. We’d love to have singers who are expressive with their face and body while singing! If you’re singing about the goodness of our God, we want to see it in your facial expressions while we hear it in your voice!
Expectations For Recording Session Attendees
We expect singers to memorize the music before the recording session. The music (including lyrics) will be projected on a screen to be sure everyone is together. In some cases, people are far from the screen and cannot see the music well. We have also found that singers are more confident and joyful in their singing and we are able to record songs more efficiently if singers have memorized the music ahead of time and are not strictly relying on the projected music.
During the recording session, everyone will be divided into voice part sections (Sopranos, Altos, Tenors, Basses). You must stay in your section in the seat you are assigned. It’s also important to note that there will be no voice part swapping. For example, if you auditioned as a soprano, you need to continue singing soprano and stay in the soprano section throughout the recording session. After the audio recording is complete, we will combine all singers to record videos. Only auditioned, approved singers will be allowed in these closed audio and video recording sessions.
As we near the recording dates, information will be provided about hotels near our recording location. Some meals will be provided during the sessions. Each singer will be responsible for securing their own housing and any meals that aren’t otherwise provided.
Each singer needs to bring an AM/FM radio receiver, earbuds, and a refillable water bottle (no disposables). We will provide more details on these items to those who are approved. As we get closer to the recording date, we will also provide guidelines for what to wear on specific recording days.
Large group singing environments can be prone to spreading sicknesses. If you are concerned about this, we do not recommend that you audition for the “in-person” recording. Remember that singing at this recording session is a volunteer position, and no monetary compensation will be provided. We are incredibly grateful to all who are willing to volunteer their time and talents for this important ministry!
If You Are Not Approved
Because we have limited space, not every singer will be approved. It is likely that many excellent singers will not be able to participate this time. If you are not approved, be sure to stay “in the loop” through our email newsletter and consider auditioning again next time.
If you have any questions about the audition process, please contact us at pandhrecording@acappella.com.
We look forward to seeing your auditions!
Audition Tips
- Practice, practice, practice! Take time to learn the music. We recommend that you memorize the audition piece so that you can look at the camera rather than a piece of paper for your audition.
- At the beginning of your audition video, please state your name, voice part, location, and the name of your home church.
- Be sure to sing the entire song and make sure that we can hear your voice clearly with no special effects added.
- No “scooping” (or sliding up to notes) at the beginning of notes or phrases.
- Eliminate vibrato. With a large group of singers, we achieve a cleaner sound without vibrato.
- Be expressive! Your audition video will be evaluated alongside the audio. We’d love to have singers who are expressive with their face and body while singing! If you’re singing about the goodness of our God, we want to see it in your facial expressions while we hear it in your voice!
Expectations For Recording Session Attendees
We expect singers to memorize the music before the recording session. The music (including lyrics) will be projected on a screen to be sure everyone is together. In some cases, people are far from the screen and cannot see the music well. We have also found that singers are more confident and joyful in their singing and we are able to record songs more efficiently if singers have memorized the music ahead of time and are not strictly relying on the projected music.
During the recording session, everyone will be divided into voice part sections (Sopranos, Altos, Tenors, Basses). You must stay in your section in the seat you are assigned. It’s also important to note that there will be no voice part swapping. For example, if you auditioned as a soprano, you need to continue singing soprano and stay in the soprano section throughout the recording session. After the audio recording is complete, we will combine all singers to record videos. Only auditioned, approved singers will be allowed in these closed audio and video recording sessions.
As we near the recording dates, information will be provided about hotels near our recording location. Some meals will be provided during the sessions. Each singer will be responsible for securing their own housing and any meals that aren’t otherwise provided.
Each singer needs to bring an AM/FM radio receiver, earbuds, and a refillable water bottle (no disposables). We will provide more details on these items to those who are approved. As we get closer to the recording date, we will also provide guidelines for what to wear on specific recording days.
Large group singing environments can be prone to spreading sicknesses. If you are concerned about this, we do not recommend that you audition for the “in-person” recording. Remember that singing at this recording session is a volunteer position, and no monetary compensation will be provided. We are incredibly grateful to all who are willing to volunteer their time and talents for this important ministry!
If You Are Not Approved
Because we have limited space, not every singer will be approved. It is likely that many excellent singers will not be able to participate this time. If you are not approved, be sure to stay “in the loop” through our email newsletter and consider auditioning again next time.
If you have any questions about the audition process, please contact us at pandhrecording@acappella.com.
We look forward to seeing your auditions!
Expectations For Recording Session Attendees
We expect singers to memorize the music before the recording session. The music (including lyrics) will be projected on a screen to be sure everyone is together. In some cases, people are far from the screen and cannot see the music well. We have also found that singers are more confident and joyful in their singing and we are able to record songs more efficiently if singers have memorized the music ahead of time and are not strictly relying on the projected music.
During the recording session, everyone will be divided into voice part sections (Sopranos, Altos, Tenors, Basses). You must stay in your section in the seat you are assigned. It’s also important to note that there will be no voice part swapping. For example, if you auditioned as a soprano, you need to continue singing soprano and stay in the soprano section throughout the recording session. After the audio recording is complete, we will combine all singers to record videos. Only auditioned, approved singers will be allowed in these closed audio and video recording sessions.
As we near the recording dates, information will be provided about hotels near our recording location. Some meals will be provided during the sessions. Each singer will be responsible for securing their own housing and any meals that aren’t otherwise provided.
Each singer needs to bring an AM/FM radio receiver, earbuds, and a refillable water bottle (no disposables). We will provide more details on these items to those who are approved. As we get closer to the recording date, we will also provide guidelines for what to wear on specific recording days.
Large group singing environments can be prone to spreading sicknesses. If you are concerned about this, we do not recommend that you audition for the “in-person” recording. Remember that singing at this recording session is a volunteer position, and no monetary compensation will be provided. We are incredibly grateful to all who are willing to volunteer their time and talents for this important ministry!
If You Are Not Approved
Because we have limited space, not every singer will be approved. It is likely that many excellent singers will not be able to participate this time. If you are not approved, be sure to stay “in the loop” through our email newsletter and consider auditioning again next time.
If you have any questions about the audition process, please contact us at pandhrecording@acappella.com.
We look forward to seeing your auditions!