Hear a sample of some of our music

Join Us - Con Brio Women's Choir, a singing oasis

Con Brio (founded by Steve Stevens in 1989) is part of the family of international award-winning choirs called the Columbia Choirs of Metropolitan Seattle (Children's Choir, Youth Ensemble and Columbia Men's Choir). 

Why join Con Brio? Because you are busy and you deserve to do something just for yourself! Con Brio is that exhilarating activity that you can look forward to every week. Imagine rehearsals sprinkled with laughter and serious fun as you rehearse and perform music from around the world at a high quality, international level of singing. Con Brio is for women busy with career and family life, and for all who are looking for something fun and educational to recharge those emotional batteries. It is an enjoyable oasis in the middle of a busy week. There are close friendships and beautiful music to be made. Join us!

Repertoire: This community-based women's choir, sings music that is enjoyably challenging and varied; from classical religious, timeless artsongs and gorgeous folksongs from around the world to the occasional upbeat showtunes with choreography. The choir regularly sings in various languages (including French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Latin, Spanish).

Travel: Every season the choir takes weekend trips to perform and experience other parts of the United States and Canada; once we even went to Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic! Most recently we've taken weekend trips to Santa Fe, Tucson, Portland (Oregon) and Salt Lake City.

Con Brio seeks to intermittently compare ourselves with other choirs around the world to reconfirm the international quality of our work together.  We believe international quality standards of training and performances will draw other high quality singers to Con Brio.  We believe setting high standards and helping our membership to meet those high musical standards make Con Brio more exciting and fun.  Rehearsals are in Redmond on Tuesdays, 7:30-9pm.

CON BRIO...

• is recognized and respected for its exceptionally beautiful choral sound and its creative programming.
• is committed to the improvement of its members and provides them with the tools, leadership and opportunities to improve their musical and singing skills
• is fun and provides a forum for the social and musical interaction of its members
• commissions new works and performs a variety of the best in treble literature
• performs in different venues selected specifically to enhance its choral sound
• seeks collaboration with other community and professional musical organizations in the region, nationally and world-wide.
• encourages all other musical groups with which it comes in contact around the world.

Prospective Member Interviews are intended to screen candidates for membership, ensuring that new members will enhance Con Brio’s musical progress.

New Member Requirements:

• Singing experience in High School or above within the last 15 years
• Ability to read music or access to resources to help them learn music between rehearsal
• Commitment to faithfully attend section rehearsals, regular rehearsals and performances

Interview Process:

• Participate in a rehearsal: the candidate is invited to sing in rehearsal; to experience what it will be like as a member...to demonstrate ability to blend with others around you and to demonstrate ability to catch on quickly to choral concepts and the repertoire.
• Interview after the rehearsal (that night): The candidate will not be asked/required to interview in front of the membership. Following the sample rehearsal there will be a friendly interview session with one of our section leaders and our conductor. The candidate will be asked to sing a song of her choice;demonstrating ability to carry a tune, using a pure tone, good intonation, and showing ability to control vibrato. The candidate will be asked to demonstrate ability to read music (or learn it very quickly), match pitches, echo clap, sing a scale, sing your voice part while another melody is being sung. When those qualifications are met.
• Probation: One month. Each new member will be evaluated by the conductor and the section leader based on attendance, attitude and vocal contribution to the group (blend, vocal tone and learning the music) during the first month. The conductor, assisted by the section leader, will determine future membership status at that time.

Membership Standards: The leadership of Con Brio knows there will be varying levels of singing and musical experience (and ability) within the choir and believes this is a good thing. We are determined to offer our members the guidance and tools they need to personally raise standards of performance. We know as the standards outlined are met Con Brio will be of increasingly high quality.

Membership Requirements:

• A firm commitment to membership for the entire choir season (September through June).
• Faithful attendance at all rehearsals (7:00-9pm Tuesdays), concert series (3 per season) and performances (scheduled with as much advance notice as possible).
• Accept the leadership of the conductor and leadership team of section leader and accompanist
• Learn music by the time designated. Take advantage of the tools we offer to ensure success. Request extra help if you need it.
• Be part of the solution to any problems seen within the choir. Mention possible solutions when bringing up problems. Try to get help solving problems/frustrations long before problems become critical.

• lead by example; learn music quickly so as to provide inspirational leadership to the section
• gauge the section’s progress on each piece of music and, if necessary, designate certain singers for individual help on vocal production.
• Inform and consult with the conductor on the above,
• plan and lead the weekly section rehearsals and any extra sessions necessary to ensure the section’s success.
• Repertoire Passing will be done in double trios/quartets to gauge progress on learning the repertoire and to inspire confidence in our singers. The stronger and more confident the small ensembles within the choir, the stronger Con Brio will be in performance.

Repertoire Passing Requirements:

• Timeline for repertoire passing. We will provide written notice of deadlines by which you are required to demonstrate how well you know a song using your music.
• Study tapes/CDs will be made for those who request them. It is expected that members will rehearse between rehearsals to prepare for the repertoire passing deadlines.
• Section rehearsals on Tuesdays 7-7:30pm every week lead by section leaders.
• Repertoire Passing will be done in double trios (two people per part). Each double trio will sing the assigned song for Con Brio within the regular rehearsals on designated dates (published in advance). Music may be used. No criticism or other comments will be made publicly (in front of the membership). Each section leader will make note of how their section did in this process to plan future section rehearsals.

ACT NOW! Contact our conductor Mr. Steve Stevens by phone at 425-486-1987 or by e-mail at auditions@columbiachoirs.com to schedule a visit or to audition.

Location: 

Redmond High School
17272 N.E. 104th Street
Redmond, Washington    98052

Driving directions:

From I-5 (either direction) - Take Exit 168(A/B) - Highway 520 East. Go east on Hwy 520  past Redmond Fall City Road, Hwy 520 becomes Avondale Road. Continue north to N.E. 104th Street.; turn left onto N.E. 104th Street, go west to the 172nd block.  School is on north side of street.  Choirs practice in the choir room.

From I-405 (either direction) - take Exit 14 - Highway 520 East. Go east on Hwy 520  past Redmond Fall City Road, Hwy 520 becomes Avondale Road. Continue north to N.E. 104th Street.; turn left onto N.E. 104th Street, go west to the 172nd block.  School is on north side of street.  Choirs practice in the choir room.

Auditions/Interviews Con Brio is open to women college age and above who have experience singing in a choir. If you have been in band or orchestra, have always wanted to sing in a choir and know you can carry a tune; you should contact us, too! Although a solo quality singing voice is highly prized, you don't need to have a solo quality singing voice to be in Con Brio. Interviews are held by appointment.  Intereviews are held by appointment in March, June, September, November through early December each year. New members will start in September/early October, January and April. Contact our conductor Mr. Steve Stevens by phone at 425-486-1987 or by e-mail at auditions@columbiachoirs.com to schedule a visit or to audition.

Rehearsals:

Tuesdays, 7:30-9:00pm  (sectionals held from 7:00-7:30pm)

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