Polyhymnia Auditions

Polyhymnia, an a cappella chamber chorus that has charmed Washington area audiences for more than 30 years, will audition all voice parts for our Fall 2024 semester in August and September.
Singers must be technically proficient.
Dues are $100 per semester, which may be waived or reduced upon request for those unable to pay.

Regular weekly rehearsals are Tuesdays 7:45 PM to 10:00 PM. There also are two extra Thursday rehearsals in the two weeks preceding the first concert weekend and an extra Tuesday rehearsal after the first concert weekend.

Our performance dates and venues are shown on the Performance Info page. The Fall 2024 rehearsal and performance schedule is shown at the right.

Singers must commit to missing no more than three rehearsals and none of the performances. There are no obligations to sell tickets or do fundraising.
Auditions occur in the choir room, and rehearsals are held in the Fellowship Hall of:
Bethesda Presbyterian Church
7611 Clarendon Road
Bethesda, MD 20814
Street parking only on Wilson Lane, please (do not use the church’s parking lot).
Enter the Church through the side (Wilson Lane) doors. The choir room is on the second floor. Signs should be posted at the door to direct you.
All auditioners should arrive at 7:15 PM. You need not prepare a song, as all audition music will be provided. Each auditioner will have a brief (10-15 minute) individual audition with the music director, Steve Beck, who will first have you do some simple scales or other exercises to learn about your range and voice quality, and then listen to you read a brief section of choral music. You will get at least two tries at the reading – the interest is not necessarily how well you sight-read the first time, but in how well you learn the music.
After that, all auditioners join with Polyhymnia veterans in their rehearsal. After rehearsing together, we will break the group into quartets that will sing the piece we’ve just rehearsed. Auditioners get multiple quartet trials with differing singers on the other parts. Every effort is made to help the auditioner put his or her best foot forward.
If you are interested in auditioning, please contact:
Steve Beck, Musical Director
Steven.Beck0703@gmail.com

Polyhymnia Fall 2024 Rehearsal and Performance Calendar

AUDITIONS:

Tuesdays:
Aug. 13 & 20, 2024
Sept. 10 & 17, 2024

REHEARSALS:

Tuesday:  9/10/24 – 1/28/25
Thursday: 1/16 & 1/23/25

PERFORMANCES:

Weekends of
January 25-26, 2025
February 1-2, 2025

Directions to

Bethesda Presbyterian Church
7611 Clarendon Road, Bethesda, MD 20814

From the Capital Beltway:
  • Exit Old Georgetown Road southbound, towards Bethesda.
  • Proceed about two miles into downtown Bethesda.
  • Turn right at the stop light at Wilson Lane. The church is on your left about a block and a half down.
  • Park anywhere along Wilson Lane or one of the side streets (do not use the church’s parking lot).
From downtown DC or from East-West Highway:
  • From the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue, East-West Highway, and Old Georgetown Road, proceed north on Old Georgetown Road.
  • Turn left at Wilson Lane, the third stop light.
  • The church is about a block and a half down on the left.
  • Park anywhere along Wilson Lane or one of the side streets (do not use the church’s parking lot).
From the Bethesda Metro station:
  • As you come up the escalator, you will be facing North.
  • Proceed north along Old Georgetown Road.
  • Turn left at Wilson Lane, the third stop light.
  • The church is about a block and a half down on the left.
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