Chamber Choir + Choral Conducting
Jeffrey Douma, Professor in the Practice of Choral Music at the Yale School of Music, directs a workshop for advanced singers and choral conductors accompanied by an outstanding chamber ensemble. Repertoire includes music from the Renaissance to brand-new works of the 21st century. The week-long workshop culminates in a concert held in the acoustically superb Music Shed, where conductors have the opportunity to direct instrumental and choral ensembles.
Each conducting applicant must be accepted as a singer first. All accepted conductors sing in the Workshop’s chamber choir. Singers invited to the Workshop will receive an Ellen Battell Stoeckel Fellowship covering the full cost of tuition, housing, and meals. Conductors receive a Fellowship covering the cost of housing and meals.
All workshop sessions, as well as the final concert, are audio and video recorded. The final concert is livestreamed on the Norfolk website.
August 16 – 23, 2026
Applications are closed for summer 2026.
“My two summers at Norfolk were wonderful breaths of fresh air and truly stand-out experiences.”
Emily Sung (NCMF ’14,’15)
Assistant Professor of Practice, Choral and Sacred Music, USC Thornton School of Music
How to Apply
Applications are closed for summer 2026.
The Norfolk Chamber Music Festival–Yale School of Music will accept applications from advanced singers and choral conductors for the Chamber Choir and Choral Conducting Workshop. Participants are selected on the basis of ability and supporting materials.
Each conducting applicant must be accepted as a singer first. All accepted conductors sing in the Workshop’s chamber choir.
Session + Application Fees
Singer Registration Fee: $300 (refundable)
- The registration fee is due upon acceptance of the fellowship.
- Fee must be paid by credit card. Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted.
- The registration fee is refundable after completion of the program subject to deductions in the event of damage or loss to any property, or non-compliance with any Festival policies.
- Singers receive an Ellen Battell Stoeckel Fellowship covering the full cost of tuition, housing, and meals.
Conductor Registration Fee: $800 (non-refundable)
- The registration fee is due upon acceptance of the fellowship.
- Fee must be paid by credit card. Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted.
- The registration fee is refundable after completion of the program subject to deductions in the event of damage or loss to any property, or non-compliance with any Festival policies.
- Conductors receive an Ellen Battell Stoeckel Fellowship covering the full cost of housing and meals.
Requirements: All Applicants
All materials must be received by the deadline. A complete application must include:
1. Online application
The application includes sections where you will upload all of your application materials. Applications can be started and then saved to be continued at a later time.
2. Audition Video(s)
Auditions are by video only. No live auditions will be held. Audition videos must be uploaded as part of the application. Videos uploaded to YouTube will be accepted. Recordings of poor quality will not be evaluated. See audition repertoire for details.
3. Two letters of recommendation
On the application, you will provide your recommenders’ email addresses. Each will receive an automatic email with instructions on how to submit their recommendation. Letters must be written after January 1, 2025.
- One recommendation must include contact information (email or telephone).
- One recommendation must be from a recognized mentor (conductor or teacher) and must include a description of the candidate’s sight-reading ability.
4. Vocal Repertoire List
A list of works (with composers) that you have performed, received coachings on, and/or rehearsed.
5. Singer Résumé or CV
Résumé or CV should reflect your experience and studies as a singer. It is helpful to include such information as schools attended, private teachers, performance experience, music festival experiences, and teaching experience.
6. Non-refundable $80 application fee
Once the online application is submitted, you will be prompted to submit the application fee.
Requirements: Conductors Only
7. Conducting Video
Video of a rehearsal and a concert performance must be uploaded as part of the application.
8. Conducting Repertoire List
A list of works (with composers) you have conducted in performance, received coachings on, and/or rehearsed.
9. Conducting résumé or CV
Résumé or CV should reflect your experience and studies as a conductor. It is helpful to include such information as schools attended, private teachers, music festival experiences, ensembles/organizations you have conducted, and teaching experience.
Audition Repertoire
Videos must be uploaded as part of the application. Video uploaded to YouTube will be accepted. Poor quality recordings will not be evaluated. Arias and scales must be on separate tracks.
If you have any questions about repertoire or the technical requirements, please contact the Norfolk office at norfolkmusic.org or call 860.542.3000.
1. Unaccompanied ascending and descending harmonic-minor scales
Demonstrate your vocal range and flexibility by singing ascending and descending harmonic-minor scales, unaccompanied, at a gentle mezzo-piano, one octave at a time. Begin toward the bottom of your range and sing the scales individually, moving the scale up by a half-step each time, concentrating on accurate intonation and secure control. Please do not use solfège syllables but sing legato on a single vowel. If necessary, you may give yourself a single note on the piano at each half-step, but demonstrating your range without doing that is a better demonstration of your skills.
Soprano and bass: minimum two octaves
Alto: at least an octave and a 6th from low G (or lower)
Tenor: at least an octave and a 6th from the C below middle C
2. Vocal works
Two pieces which you feel demonstrate the special qualities of your voice. One of the pieces should be from the Renaissance or Baroque period and should be sung with minimum vibrato (such as you deem appropriate).
In addition to all the materials above, those applying as conductors must also submit:
3. Conducting sample of a rehearsal
Filmed with the camera facing you. Between three and five minutes in length; five minutes maximum.
4. Conducting sample of a performance
Filmed with the camera facing you. Between three and five minutes in length; five minutes maximum.
Acceptance
Candidates will be notified by email on or before April 30, 2026, about the status of their application and audition results. All fees must be paid by credit card: Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Cash and checks are not accepted.
Singers
The refundable registration fee of $300 must be paid within 10 days of acceptance to secure one’s position. The fee will be refunded after completion of the program subject to deductions in the event of damage or loss to any property or non-compliance with any Festival policies.
Singer/Conductors
The non-refundable tuition fee of $800 must be paid within 10 days of acceptance to secure one’s position.
Questions?
Call 860.542.3000 | Email →