Children’s Chorus Auditions

AUDITIONS ❊ AUGUST 23, 2026

Calling all children who love to sing, dance and perform!

California Revels warmly invites you to audition for our 2026 production -

Midwinter Revels: American Crossroads

Evenings and matinees, December 11-13 and 18-20, 2026, at Hayward’s Douglas Morrisson Theatre

If you’ve ever seen our theatrical productions, you know that at the heart of every Revels show are our community adults', teens' and children’s choruses, who bring traditional music to life through singing, dancing and revelry.  These volunteer performers rehearse throughout the fall, immersing themselves in traditional music and folk dance.  Then, at Winter Solstice time, they take the stage in colorful period costume, giving their all to create a performance to remember. 

We aim to recruit a cast whose diversity reflects the richness of the San Francisco Bay Area. BIPOC folks are especially encouraged to audition. If you have any specific questions about diversity, equity and inclusion as it affects the children's chorus, please reach out to our Children's Chorus Director, Noe Venable: ​noe.venable@californiarevels.org

Saturday, August 23, 2026 ❊ 10 AM - noon
First Congregational Church of Oakland
2501 Harrison Street, Oakland
- Park in back of church
- Enter through GREEN door

JOIN US! ‍ ‍

HERE'S HOW ↓

Sign up Child Audition
Sign up Child Audition

WHAT WE SEEK

California Revels Children’s Chorus seeks children ages 7 - 12 who love to dance, sing and perform, and who are eager to put on a great show.  Revels children’s chorus members are team players who love musical learning and can focus for the duration of a ninety minute rehearsal on musical learning that is fun, rigorous, and embodied.  Some children who join us have prior choral or performance experience.  Others do not.  Experience is less important than natural musicality, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn.

Children’s chorus ​members need to have the following capacities:

  • A good ear (ability to match pitch and rhythmic phrasing)

  • Ability to focus and take direction

  • Ability to memorize music & lyrics

  • Ability to follow simple dance steps in a group

  • Enthusiasm to participate

  • Resilience & flexibility (since putting on a big production like this has a lot of moving parts!)​ 

WHAT WE PROVIDE

Revels children’s chorus ​members receive:

  • World class instruction in singing, folk dance and theatrical performance (for free!)

  • Participation in a vibrant, intergenerational community of traditional music lovers

  • A galvanizing cultural experience that will call to the very best in your child

  • Memories to last a lifetime! 

Here are some of the personal qualities we help cultivate in our young singers:

  • Self-confidence

  • Focus

  • Musicianship 

  • Diligence

  • Personal responsibility

  • Healthy vocal technique

  • Stage presence

  • Knowledge of traditional music

  • Fun, imagination and playfulness

ABOUT THE AUDITION

We care about kids, and prioritize creating a rehearsal experience that feels fun, nurturing, and supportive.  Please come prepared to stay for the entire two hours. 

The audition will consist of the following steps:

  • Auditioners will play a name game to get to know each other.

  • All children will learn a simple song by ear together, which they will sing in small groups in a round.

  • Each child will sing solo and accompanied, either “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” or “Happy Birthday”.  

  • Auditioners will play an improv theater game, emphasizing fun, play and collaboration.​

Up to ten children will be chosen for the children's chorus.

TIME COMMITMENT

California Revels requires a substantial time commitment.  In general, we meet on Saturdays, with additional days listed in the final schedule.
Participating children commit to missing no more than one rehearsal, except in case of illness or injury.  

Participation in the Revels necessitates substantial involvement on the part of parents.  Parental roles include taking turns chaperoning rehearsals and performances, and providing healthy snacks for the group to help kids stay energized.  Parents are also asked to supervise home practice of songs and choreography. The expectation is that the children will practice songs, dances, and vocal warmups daily between meetings, for the same number of minutes as their age.

SCHEDULE

Music, dance and staging rehearsal details available on this full schedule.

  • Auditions are at First Congregational Church, Oakland on August 23, 2026.

  • Rehearsals will be in the Berkeley/Oakland area, before moving to the theater in Hayward later in December.

  • The all-cast retreat is September 13 from 10 am - 2 pm at Canyon School, located between Oakland and Moraga.

  • Adult Chorus rehearsals are generally Tuesdays from 7:00 - 9:30 pm, starting October 6.

  • Children's Chorus rehearsals are generally 2 or 3 hours long on Saturdays, from 12:00 - 2:00 pm or 12:00 - 3:00 pm, starting October 3. Sunday call times consist of staging and dance. Children are not called every Sunday.

CONTACT

For questions, please reach out to our Children's Chorus Director, Noe Venable: ​noe.venable@californiarevels.org