Show Choir FAQs

Auditions and Scholarship

How do I get more information regarding auditions?
Our entire audition process is detailed under the Auditions tab. If you are a student looking to audition, please make sure you complete our Interest Form.

If I complete the Interest Form, am I committing to the college?
No. By completing the Interest Form, you are only requesting more information on the college and Show Choir.

What types of performers are you looking for?
Singer/dancers and instrumentalists (trumpet, saxophone, trombone, piano, synthesizer, electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, and auxiliary percussion).

What is the scholarship amount?
If offered a Show Choir scholarship, the amount is $1,000 yearly. This scholarship is in addition to any academic scholarships and/or financial aid that the student may receive.

Is band eligible for the scholarship?
Yes. All students auditioning for the Show Choir program are eligible to receive the scholarship.

Can juniors in high school audition for the program?
No. Graduating high school seniors and college transfers are eligible to audition.

Do you have to attend Randolph-Macon College to be in the Show Choir and to receive the scholarship?
Yes. The scholarship is only applicable to Randolph-Macon College students.

Do I have to be admitted to the college before auditioning?
No. We ask that all those auditioning, have applied to the college prior to their audition date, but they need not have been accepted.

Program Logistics

When does the Show Choir and Show Band rehearse?
The Show Choir rehearses twice a week, for 3 hours a day. The Show Band rehearses once a week for 3 hours.

Is there an additional cost associated for the performers?
Yes. Although the costuming, traveling, and performances are included in your tuition package, there are certain items that the students must cover at their own expense. These items are generally not able to be shared, including (but are not limited to): body briefs/spanx, shoes, make-up, hair pieces, etc. Based on data from earlier years, the average out of pocket cost for a new singer is $350 for that year and then about $150 per year as a returning singer. The average cost for a new show band member is around $200 the first year, and about $75 per year as a returning band member.

Are costumes provided?
Yes, all major costume apparel is provided for each show.

Is your program like GLEE?
No! We perform at the same caliber as a highly-competitive high school show choir program. We utilize many different styles of show choir programs from across the nation to build our shows.

Will you have more than one show choir?
As the program continues to grow and develop, the option to have more than one show choir is a definite possibility.

Does participation in Show Choir count as a course credit?
Yes. Students who participate in the Show Choir (not Show Band) are able to register their participation as their Physical Education credit requirements.

Performance and Travel

How often do you perform?
We will put on 2 major shows per year: a holiday show and a spring show. Outside of the yearly shows, smaller venue performances will be added to the schedule as time permits.

Does the group compete?
As there are no collegiate level show choir competitions, we are unable to compete at this time.

Will the group travel?
In lieu of competitions, the show choir plans to travel on one large trip every other summer, as a voluntary trip, which is paid for by each student. On the off summer, the show choir will plan a smaller trip focused on team-bonding, that is heavily encouraged, which is also paid for by each student. Throughout the high school competition season, we plan to serve as ambassadors to the college and volunteer our services at the local competitions.

What kind of music do you perform?
We use music from every genre and generation, including original music if the show requires it.

Do you typically have themed shows?
We will create shows ranging from strongly themed character shows to more traditional (non-themed) shows.

Requirements

Does the show choir move in early?
Yes. We have a mandatory move-in for all the students in show choir for the Fall and Spring semesters where the students will learn their music and choreography.

Is there a minimum GPA requirement to remain in the program?
Yes. All students must not fall below the minimum cumulative GPA according to their attempted credit hours.

Do your students re-audition every year?
Yes. All students will re-audition at the end of the Spring semester.

Do you have to know how to read music?
No. Due to the fact that every high school prepares their students differently, we do not include sight-reading as part of the audition, nor do we expect it when rehearsals begin. Instead, we expect our students to enhance abilities, such as sight-reading, throughout their experience with the Randolph-Macon College Show Choir.

Can a Show Choir member participate in a travel J-Term or J-Term internship?
Yes. As long as the student is able to participate in the early move-in process, which will allow them to learn their music and choreography.