The Happy Musician

Today, let’s look at the audition process for Candlelight at Disney’s EPCOT theme park!

Audition Process

The audition in most schools is one step, requiring memorization of 2 (two) of the Candlelight Processional songs or 1 (one) Candlelight Processional song and 1 (one) SATB choir song that has been thoroughly rehearsed. Proper technique (posture, blending, appropriate voice parts, etc.) is required, and the choir must use the rehearsal notes that Disney gives them. Results usually come in at the beginning of October.

Helpful tips

• Make sure you have gotten the best recording for submission.
• Practice very often, every day if you can, and if at all possible, practice during the summer (especially you, rising 9th graders!).
• Don’t be upset if you don’t get in. Our choir hasn’t gotten in since the 2019 school year, but we keep trying our best (Update as of Oct 10, WE GOT IN FINALLY!!! Congrats to all the other schools that auditioned and/or were accepted!).
• Know your part so well that you can sing it anywhere without a track or sheet music.
• If you get to Candlelight, DO NOT LOCK YOUR KNEES! You might/will pass out and someone will, no joke, come and drag you off the stage. I saw it happen right in front of me at All-State in my 7th grade year, and it is not something you want to happen to you. When our choir made Candlelight in 2019 two people blacked out, and they sent the director an email of who it was that fainted. I kid you not. If you do feel like fainting and cannot help it, link arms with the people on either side of you so they can lower you into a sitting position on the risers.

Songs to study

The practice tracks and actual processional is in this order. \/

1. God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen
2. O Little Town of Bethlehem
3. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
4. Shout for Joy!
5. O Come All Ye Faithful
6. Away in a Manger (2024 Update)
7. O Holy Night
8. Do You Hear What I Hear?
9. Angels From the Realms of Glory
10. Rejoice With Exceeding Great Joy
11. What Child is This (Que Niño es Este)?
12. Silent Night (Stille Nacht)
13. Joy to the World (2024 Update)
14. Handel’s Messiah – Hallelujah Chorus (2024 Update)

Thanks for joining me in this audition mini-series, I hope you enjoyed! New posts and YouTube videos coming soon!

Cover photo by Music Travel Consultants