Audition for the National Lutheran Choir
The National Lutheran Choir roster is made up of volunteer singers from all walks of life with a wide range of ages, occupations, family situations, and musical experiences. Auditioning for the NLC is a multi-step process used to select the best singers for NLC’s needs and community at the time of auditions.
NLC is committed to welcoming the region's best choral singers to its roster. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that any who wish to audition can do so; and so that any who are invited to the roster can fully participate.
Audition for the 2026-2027 season!
If you would like to audition for the National Lutheran Choir’s 2026-2027 Concert Season, please review the information below and complete the Audition Interest Form linked below.
2026 Audition Dates:
6-8:30pm - Thursdays, April 16 and 23
1:30-4:00pm -Saturdays, April 18 and 25
5-8:00pm - Monday, May 4
5-8:00pm - Thursday, May 7
Call Back Auditions will be held on Tuesday, May 12 during the evening (see Step 3 for specific times)
Audition Location: Normandale Lutheran Church, 6100 Normandale Rd., Edina
There are accessible parking spaces and entrances are located on both the east and west sides of the building. Elevators are available. Please let us know if we can provide any accommodations to ensure the audition process allows for an accurate presentation of you as a singer.
All singers audition each year. All auditions are done in person.
Note: Candidates who live more than 100 miles from the Twin Cities and cannot audition in person on the dates listed should complete the online audition form and email NLC operations manager, Kris Rongstad (she/her), kris@nlca.com, to inquire about alternative arrangements.
Steps of the Audition Process
Step 1 – Commit to the 2026-2027 NLC Schedule
Full season schedule will be released on March 18th.
If you are auditioning, you are also committing to NLC’s schedule of rehearsals, performances and other official performance events throughout the season.
You will be asked to submit any known conflicts with the schedule at the time of your audition.
Step 2 – Complete the online Audition Interest Form
Complete the Audition Interest Form linked below. It will then be reviewed by the Artistic Director. You will receive an email within 2-3 business days with information on the next step in the audition process.
If you are asked to audition, here is what you can expect
Sing a prepared solo – this may be an art song, or other sacred or secular solo. An accompanist will be provided.
Vocal exercises – the artistic director will lead you through various vocal exercises to assess your vocal range, color and flexibility, sight reading ability, the ability to vary dynamic and style, and general musicality.
The audition will be approximately 10 minutes in length.
Step 3 – Call Back Auditions (by invitation of the Artistic Director)
Select singers will be invited by the Artistic Director to continue the audition process and attend Call back auditions, which are held with other singers from the same voice part.
Call back auditions will take at Normandale Lutheran Church on Tuesday May 12 as follows:
6:30 – 7:00pm – Soprano Callbacks
7:10 – 7:40pm – Alto Callbacks
7:50 – 8:20pm – Tenor Callbacks
8:30 – 9:00pm – Bass Callbacks
Step 4 -Invitation to Join the NLC
Singers who are invited to join the National Lutheran Choir will co-sign a covenant with the Artistic Director.
The covenant agreement, which will be mailed in early August, states that you will commit to the schedule of rehearsals and performances and clarifies any known conflicts to which the Artistic Director and you have agreed.
Typical Season Schedule
Weekly Rehearsals
Tuesday evenings from 7-10pm (September through early May)
Full Concert Series
All Saints Concerts: 2 performances in early November
Christmas Festival: 3-4 performances in December Note: Three rehearsals are held (Mon, Tue, Thur) prior to this concert series
Winter Concerts: 1-2 performances in February or March
Spring Concerts: 1-2 performances in April or May
Tour
A brief tour, usually scheduled for Thursday-Saturday/Sunday in February or March of each year.
Other Required Activities
All day choral retreat (a Saturday in September)
Choral Tune-Up (half day, Saturday, in January or early February)
Annual Gala (usually in April)
Additional information
No fees are due from singers
Singers are volunteers (no paid positions beyond section leaders)
The National Lutheran Choir provides singers with a robe
Touring travel expenses for singers are paid by the organization
Stay connected.
Sign up for our email list to stay connected to the NLC and find out when our auditions are open.