The Baker's Dozen of Yale University

Auditions

Don’t start stressing yet. Before you begin to worry about that shaky F#, before you even decide what groups to rush, we have to audition for you. Before anything else, you’ll get to hear each group sing a few selections at the Woolsey Hall Jam. It’s a lot of music to take in, but luckily you have another five days – and entire other show held at Dwight Hall – to consider which groups you’d like to join. When the last group finishes singing at the Dwight Hall Jam, you can start scheduling auditions. Now that you’ve signed up for an audition, you’re officially rushing The Baker’s Dozen.

Auditions are meant to be fun for both you and the group. You will sing your best if you are relaxed, so don’t stress out. Here’s how your Baker’s Dozen audition will be structured:

• Warm-ups

  You’ll start by singing basic scales with the group and on your own to warm-up your voice and display your range.

• Intervals

  Do you like pitch matching exercises? Sweet. You’ll own this portion of the audition. We’ll play some simple note sequences and you’ll sing them back. No sweat.

• Aura Lee

  A traditional song that you’ll sing with three members of the group to demonstrate your blending skills. Learn whatever part is most comfortable for your voice.

• Solo

  Show off your voice with a solo of your choosing. Current members of The Baker’s Dozen auditioned with a wide variety of songs, including Italian arias, Gershwin classics, Broadway show tunes, and Craig David songs that reminded us of middle school dances. How well you sing is far more important than what song you choose.

Aura Lee

The traditional English ballad "Aura Lee" is an important part of the audition process, as it allows each rushee to demonstrate his ability to independently learn new music and blend with members of the group. We ask that you learn one part (tenor I, tenor II, baritone, bass) of your choosing, paying close attention to tone, intonation, phrasing, and diction. We encourage you to find a piano in your residential college to help you learn.

Download sheet music

Additionally, please listen to recordings of your applicable voice parts of Aura Lee: Quartet, Tenor I, Tenor II, Baritone, Bass.

Post Auditions

Your time with The BDs after auditioning is meant to better acquaint you with the group and to more significantly expose you to our repertoire. Here’s what happens after you sing for us:

• Rush Meals

  Organized around your schedule, rush meals are low-key affairs that involve eating with BDs in Yale dining halls of your choice. Rush meals are not interviews or stuffy power lunches. Use the rush meals to ask any questions you have about The Baker’s Dozen and, more importantly, to get to know the members of the group as much as possible. Be yourself.

• Singing
  Dessert

  At The Baker’s Dozen Singing Dessert, you’ll hear two sets of our best songs and skits. The purpose of Singing Dessert is to allow you to see us perform a complete concert and meet some other rushees. All rushees will receive a more formal invitation to the dessert in the week leading up to the concert. Also, be sure to attend the Singing Dessert after-party at The Baker’s Dozen House on 109 Howe Street (beware of mechanical animals).

• Callbacks

  The Baker’s Dozen invites certain rushees for callback auditions. Callbacks follow a format similar to the first auditions, but we ask for a different solo.

• Tap Night

  Late in September, we’ll tap The Baker’s Dozen class of 2015 and celebrate all night in merriment and song. Good luck.