Voice Placements
Overview
Anyone who would like to sing in Symphonic Chorus or Cantiamo! in Spring 2026 will complete a voice placement if they haven't already done so during the 2025-2026 season. The voice placement is the same for either ensemble. The voice placement is designed so that choir members can complete the entire placement virtually or in-person in Office 5127. If you prefer face-to-face, would like help recording your vocalise, need any help with this process, you can complete the voice placement by my office 5127 on January 20 (6:30pm-8:30pm) or January 22 (3:00pm-5:00pm).
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.
Note: Students who would like to join Chorale are not required to complete this placement, but are welcome to do so.
Voice placements for the Spring 2026 semester consists of four portions:
When Does This Placement Take Place
The next sight-singing appointments will be January 20 (6:30pm-8:30pm) or January 22 (3:00pm-5:00pm). If you are unavailable at those times, please email Carlin Truong to set up an appointment.
Step 1: Sign up for a Sight-Singing appointment
Sign up here for a sight-singing appointment. It can be completed in-person or via Zoom (the link will redirect you to SignUpGenius).
Anyone who would like to sing in Symphonic Chorus or Cantiamo! in Spring 2026 will complete a voice placement if they haven't already done so during the 2025-2026 season. The voice placement is the same for either ensemble. The voice placement is designed so that choir members can complete the entire placement virtually or in-person in Office 5127. If you prefer face-to-face, would like help recording your vocalise, need any help with this process, you can complete the voice placement by my office 5127 on January 20 (6:30pm-8:30pm) or January 22 (3:00pm-5:00pm).
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.
Note: Students who would like to join Chorale are not required to complete this placement, but are welcome to do so.
Voice placements for the Spring 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 January 20 (6:30pm-8:30pm) or January 22 (3:00pm-5:00pm). If you are unavailable at those times, please email Carlin Truong to set up an appointment.
Step 1: Sign up for a Sight-Singing appointment
Sign up here for a sight-singing appointment. It can be completed in-person or via Zoom (the link will redirect you to SignUpGenius).
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. Everyone starts at Level 1. You can sing on any syllable or vowel, but I prefer solfège. All examples start and end on do/tonic. People completing voice placements for Cantiamo! can expect to complete more than one sight-singing excerpt.
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
Here are examples of the Sight Reading Levels for your reference. Everyone starts at Level 1. You can sing on any syllable or vowel, but I prefer solfège. All examples start and end on do/tonic. People completing voice placements for Cantiamo! can expect to complete more than one sight-singing excerpt.
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)
After the Voice Placement
Following your sight-reading appointment, Carlin will discuss ensemble placement options with you.
Following your sight-reading appointment, Carlin will discuss ensemble placement options with you.
Note: Please contact email Carlin at [email protected] if you have any questions about the voice placements.