International Choir of Guangzhou (ICGZ)Q&A

What does a typical choir year look like?
We have two seasons in a year. The first one is from about January/February after the Chinese Lunar New Year to June/July. We call it Concert Season which we normally host a core concert at the end of the season. The second one is from September to December which is Christmas season when we normally have more gigs and engagements in one single season. We expect all members to commit to sing in our core concert and make themselves available to participate in as many events as possible (some of these will be selective).

When does the choir rehearse and how often?
We rehearse every Tuesday between 7:00pm and 9:00pm in Tianhe, Guangzhou (TBD). Because we usually rehearse on only one day a week, attendance at rehearsals is important.

What does a typical member look like?
Our members come from a diverse range of backgrounds in terms of both who they are and in their singing experience. If you like to sing, can commit to rehearsals, and have the required singing skills, we want to hear from you.

What skills do members need?
Our members are busy people with full lives outside of ICGZ. This is why we only rehearse once a week – but in order to keep high quality in this relatively small rehearsal schedule, we require members to be able to sight read to a high level, communicate in English since we conduct our rehearsals in English, learn lyrics in new languages quickly.

What kind of songs does ICGZ normally sing?
We had a wide range of repertoire from classical to jazz, from pop music to Disney.

Do I have to audition to join ICGZ?
Yes – it is necessary to pass an audition. We hold auditions at the beginning of the season, which is twice a year. You cancontact us if you have any questions about the auditions process.

How much does it cost to join ICGZ?
Since ICGZ is a charity, all members are asked to make a contribution towards the costs of running the choir. Contact us to know the latest cost information.