Voice Placements
Overview
Anyone who would like to sing in the Cabrillo Choirs (Chorale, Symphonic Chorus, or Cantiamo!) in Fall 2026 will need to complete a voice placement. The voice placement is the same for all ensembles. The voice placement is designed so that choir members can complete the entire placement virtually or in-person in Office 5127.
The purpose of the voice placement is to get to know you, your voice, and your sight-singing skills so Carlin can determine the ensemble that you will be most successful in.
Voice placements for the Fall 2026 semester consists of four portions:
When Does This Placement Take Place
The next sight-singing appointments will be Tuesday, August 18 (5:00pm-8:00pm) and Thursday, August 20 (4:00pm-7:00pm). If you are unavailable at that time, please email Carlin Truong ([email protected]) to set up a separate appointment.
Step 1: Sign up for a Sight-Singing appointment
Sign up here for a sight-singing appointment (the link will redirect you to SignUpGenius). It can be completed in-person or via Zoom .
Anyone who would like to sing in the Cabrillo Choirs (Chorale, Symphonic Chorus, or Cantiamo!) in Fall 2026 will need to complete a voice placement. The voice placement is the same for all ensembles. The voice placement is designed so that choir members can complete the entire placement virtually or in-person in Office 5127.
The purpose of the voice placement is to get to know you, your voice, and your sight-singing skills so Carlin can determine the ensemble that you will be most successful in.
Voice placements for the Fall 2026 semester consists of four portions:
- Sign up sight-singing appointment
- Vocalise Recording
- Google Form
- Prepare for sight-singing appointment
When Does This Placement Take Place
The next sight-singing appointments will be Tuesday, August 18 (5:00pm-8:00pm) and Thursday, August 20 (4:00pm-7:00pm). If you are unavailable at that time, please email Carlin Truong ([email protected]) to set up a separate appointment.
Step 1: Sign up for a Sight-Singing appointment
Sign up here for a sight-singing appointment (the link will redirect you to SignUpGenius). It can be completed in-person or via Zoom .
Step 2: Record Your Vocalise
Record an audio recording of yourself vocalizing with the appropriate voice track below. I recommend playing the track on one device (e.g., your computer) and then recording on another (e.g., your phone). It MUST be an audio file (ex. .mp3, .m4a) and no larger than 10MB. When it gets too low or too high, drop out. We recommend singing on "Na na na" but you can use any vowel or syllable that highlights your voice the best. I am listening for intonation and voice quality.
Record an audio recording of yourself vocalizing with the appropriate voice track below. I recommend playing the track on one device (e.g., your computer) and then recording on another (e.g., your phone). It MUST be an audio file (ex. .mp3, .m4a) and no larger than 10MB. When it gets too low or too high, drop out. We recommend singing on "Na na na" but you can use any vowel or syllable that highlights your voice the best. I am listening for intonation and voice quality.
- If you have an IOS/Apple device, we recommend recording with "Voice Memos.” Here's a YouTube Tutorial for your reference.
- If you have a Android device, we recommend recording with the “Recorder” app. Here's a YouTube Tutorial for your reference.
Soprano/Alto Track:
Tenor/Bass Track:
When you have finished recording, double check your work to make sure you and the vocalization track can be heard. If the sound quality is poor, try adjusting your microphone placement, or recording with a different device.
Step 3: Submit the Google Form
This is where you will submit your vocalise. Fill out the following Google Form prior to your sight-singing appointment so Carlin can get to know you and your voice better. This form is admittedly long, but it will save us time in the future. There are five sections to this form.
This is where you will submit your vocalise. Fill out the following Google Form prior to your sight-singing appointment so Carlin can get to know you and your voice better. This form is admittedly long, but it will save us time in the future. There are five sections to this form.
Step 4: Prepare for Sight-Singing Appointment
Sight-Singing Procedures
Here are examples of the Sight Reading Levels for your reference. You can sing on any syllable or vowel, but I prefer solfège. All examples start and end on do/tonic. Musicians interested in Symphonic Chorus should be able to sing at least Level 2. Musicians interested in Cantiamo! should be able to sing at least Level 3.
Sight Reading Level 1 Example (4/4; C-Major; Quarter and Half Notes; No Skips)
Sight-Singing Procedures
- You will be shown a sight-singing exercise
- You will be given a starting pitch and the tonality
- You will have 30 seconds to practice (it can be silently or aloud)
- You will be given a starting pitch and the tonality again
- Perform the sight-reading excerpt to the best of your ability at any comfortable tempo
Here are examples of the Sight Reading Levels for your reference. You can sing on any syllable or vowel, but I prefer solfège. All examples start and end on do/tonic. Musicians interested in Symphonic Chorus should be able to sing at least Level 2. Musicians interested in Cantiamo! should be able to sing at least Level 3.
Sight Reading Level 1 Example (4/4; C-Major; Quarter and Half Notes; No Skips)
Sight Reading Level 2 Example (4/4; C-Major; Quarter and Half Notes; Quarter Rests; Skips of a Third)
Sight Reading Level 3 Example (4/4, G or D-Major; Eighth, Quarter, and Half Notes; Dotted Notes; Quarter Rests; Skips of a Third)
Sight Reading Level 4 Example (4/4, G or D-Major, Eighth, Quarter, and Half Notes; Dotted Notes; Quarter Rests; Skips)
Please contact email Carlin at [email protected] if you have any questions about the voice placements.