[HANASHIR:5021] volunteer choir auditions?

[Rachelle and Howard Shubert <notfranz...>]

I have directed a small, mixed volunteer choir for about a year and have not 
turned away anyone who has a good attitude and is willing to show up for 
regular rehearsals in the belief that everyone who wants to contribute should 
be able to do so.  The group, as a result, is a mix of good voices and those 
who have more enthusiasm than ear.  I am always trying to choose music which is 
challenging enough to keep the stronger singers interested, but not so 
difficult that the others cannot handle it.  On the whole, I have found that 
the weaker singers are becoming stronger, which is very rewarding for everyone. 
 However, there are always one or two who probably won't improve much at all.  
I am curious to know how other choir directors are handling this.  Do you 
audition and reject?  Or do you accept all who come?  I know that the majority 
of Hanashir list members are not choir directors, so feel free to e-mail me 
privately.

Rachelle Shubert
notfranz (at) total(dot)net
Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom
Montreal