Auditions

Vocal placements for our 2025–26 season will be held in early September 2025. Sign up to our mailing list to get notified of upcoming audition dates. Singing members must be at least 18 years of age.

Audition process

Each potential singing member of the Pittsburgh Pride Choir has a 5–10 minute voice placement with the Artistic Director. The placement consists of:

1. Vocal range assessment (vocal warm-up).
2. The potential member will be asked to sing back a short series of notes played on the piano.
3. The potential member will be asked to sing a short song, or a short section of a song. This can be a song of their choosing, or it can be something as simple as “Happy Birthday.”

Please know that professional training or experience is not required. We promise that this will not be as terrifying as it may sound!

While you may be asked to sing with a particular section based on your placement, please know that we are very flexible with adjusting to where your voice is most comfortable. Please speak with our director if you are finding you may be more comfortable singing a different part for individual songs.

Placements will be held at East Liberty Presbyterian Church; virtual appointments can also be arranged. If you need any accommodations to complete a voice placement or participate in the choir, please contact our Accessibility Coordinator.

Returning members of the choir are welcome to participate in this process at the beginning of any season if they have questions regarding their voice part.

Rehearsals

Singers are expected to attend rehearsals each week. Rehearsals for all voice parts take place Tuesdays at 6:45–8:45 p.m. in the Social Hall at East Liberty Presbyterian Church (map).

As performances approach, there may be additional rehearsals. You should also expect to spend some extra time outside of rehearsal learning your music. As we normally only rehearse once a week, extra time in between rehearsals is essential to learning the music and presenting a quality performance. Part recordings are provided to assist with learning outside of rehearsal.

Please bring a black binder or a tablet in a black cover to each rehearsal, as well as a pencil (with an eraser) to make notations in your music. You may also bring water, but please do not bring any other beverages.

Performances

Singers are expected to perform at our primary concerts. The choir produces three major concerts each year — a Holiday Concert in December, a Cabaret in March or April, and a Pride Concert in June. If you would like to attend rehearsals but are unable to participate in the upcoming concert, please let our director know as soon as possible.

There are also additional, optional performances that are scheduled each season within the community and at charity events. We will do our best to communicate these as early as possible. We encourage members to participate in as many of these as their schedules will allow; they are a very important part of our choir mission.

Financial expectations

Singers are asked to contribute dues within the first few weeks of rehearsal. Dues are $150 for the full calendar year and $75 per season. Members may apply for a payment plan, as well as partial or full scholarships (fall or spring). No one will be turned away due to lack of funds.

Please also be aware that you are generally expected to provide your own concert attire. We will do our best to ensure that these are basic items most people will already have. However, please know that we never want cost to be an impediment for singers to participate fully in the choir.

The choir also holds several fundraisers during the year that you may choose to support financially. Singers are not required to participate in these fundraisers.