Musical Requirements

The San Francisco Bach Choir is for people who do not earn a living through their art, but who still want to use their talent and training making music. The technical demands of presenting unfamiliar and often difficult repertoire, as well as the special requirement of learning early-music performance styles, challenge our members to grow musically. Although we are a community-based, volunteer organization, we adhere to high musical standards and ask that people who join us share our commitment to upholding those standards. You do not need to have had formal voice training in order to sing with us (though we do encourage you to develop your vocal skills in private study). However, basic musical ability, a voice that will blend into the texture of the choir, and some facility in sight-reading are essential.

Our ambitious concert schedule means rehearsal time is scarce and precious. All regular rehearsals and dress rehearsals are therefore considered mandatory. More detail can be found on the attendance policy page. The main purpose of our rehearsals is to work on ensemble and interpretation and to blend and shape the music, rather than to simply learn the notes. Note learning is the responsibility of each choir member and must be done outside regular rehearsals.

Prospective members may contact the choir at westland@sfbach.org for more information and audition appointments.