How to Join

Audition Process

Overview

Nocturnal a.k.a. Nocty is an all gender 6-part a cappella group that performs contemporary music of all genres. We perform a diverse set of music, hold collaborative events with Rice and Houston organizations, participate in an annual showcase at Texas A&M, and record music for our in-progress album. Our First Round auditions typically occur during early September. You only need to attend one audition. Prepare a minute of a vocal or beatbox solo of your choice, preferably verse and chorus. Callbacks will occur at the end of audition week. Contact ricenocturnal@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.

All six a cappella groups will go more into detail about their auditions at the A Cappella Information Session held in late August. Students can audition for as many groups as they want, and this will not affect their chances of being accepted into a group.

Expectations

You can select one First Round audition time to attend. The First Round will consist of a group workshop to provide the material and answer any questions. After the workshop, you will select a time later that evening for your individual audition. Your audition will require a minute of a chosen solo and the arrangement cut provided at the workshop. There are normally between 14-18 total members filling out our 6 voice parts. The number of students accepted into our group may change slightly every year. Students in any class may audition. Your blend with the group’s current voices and personalities matters more than your educational or musical background. After First Round, you may be invited by email to attend Callbacks.

First Round Process

First: Current members will ask you some questions about yourself and your interest in the group.

Second: You will be tested on your Vocal Range, and Pitch Matching skills. When testing your Vocal Range, we will play up and down the scales to determine your lowest and highest notes. For the Pitch Matching test, we will play a series of pitches that you will be asked to repeat. 

Third: You will sing your learned voice part of the Audition Song Cut with current members of the group. The Song Cut is covered in the workshop earlier in the evening. We do not necessarily expect students to sing the cut perfectly, but we are listening for how well your voice blends with the group. We will give you feedback and ask you to sing it again.

Last: You will sing a 45 – 1:30 sec cut, a cappella, of a verse and chorus of any song of your choosing. This segment should show off your range, musicality, and any other vocal talents you may have. Then we will answer any questions you may have. 

If you are invited to Callbacks, you will receive an email with details and expectations. Our goal is to make all students as comfortable as possible during the entire audition process. All questions and concerns will be addressed with no judgment or penalty.

2024 Schedule

COMING SOON – stay updated on our Instagram @ricenocturnal!