Female soloists needed for ASC world premiere

Four female soloists, two sopranos and two altos ages 11-18, are needed for the performance of the 1963 commemorative work “A More Convenient Season.”

UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center (ASC) is searching for four young female soloists to perform in this fall’s orchestral work, “A More Convenient Season (AMCS).”

ASC_convenient-season_auditions_sThe ASC, along with philanthropist Tom Blount, has commissioned internationally known composer Yotam Haber to create the world premiere of “AMCS” to commemorate the events of 1963 and the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. “AMCS” will take place at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013. It is a 75-minute piece that features a choir, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and multimedia elements that include oral histories from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

This symphonic work will feature four female soloists, ages 11-18, two sopranos and two altos. All should have confident, clear voices, without a lot of vibrato, be comfortable with new music and have the ability to read music. Soloists must commit to attending rehearsals the week of September 15, to the performance on Sept. 21, and occasional rehearsals that will be scheduled throughout the year until the performance. 

Interested individuals may submit an audition video online, which is preferred. Alternately, a limited number of auditions will be held by appointment only from 3-5:30 p.m. on April 8 and 9. For questions, to request a copy of the score or to make an audition appointment, email or call mkatrina@uab.edu or 205-975-5662.

Interested performers may create an audition video that can be submitted online. The audition video must include the singer’s name, age, voice type and school, if applicable. In the video, the singer should be able to perform: a scale on “la” going from her lowest to highest range; a minimum of 10 measures of Haber’s work; and a classical piece of music of her choice from the 20th or 21st century. Please upload the video to an online channel such as YouTube or Vimeo, then email the link to the video to mkatrina@uab.edu by April 5. 

Alternately, interested individuals can make an audition appointment from 3-5:30 p.m. on April 8 and 9, in the Reynolds-Kirschbaum Recital Hall at the ASC, 1200 10th Ave. South. For questions, to request a copy of the score or to make an audition appointment, email or call mkatrina@uab.edu or 205-975-5662.