Application Deadline: September 15, 2025, 11:59PM Eastern Time
Application Fee: FREE
Prescreening Notifications: early October
Click HERE to apply
The Spoleto Festival USA Chorus, led by Dr. Amanda Quist, is one of the leading ensembles of early career professional choristers in the United States. Performing as part of an internationally renowned, interdisciplinary performing arts festival, Fellows of the Chorus are engaged for myriad events across Spoleto’s 17 days in Charleston, SC.
Vocal Fellows perform major works in 1-3 choral performances across the Festival; perform as the chorus for Spoleto’s mainstage opera(s); and take part in special performance projects. Chorus Fellows may additionally be considered for step-out roles for the operas depending on programming.
To succeed at and enjoy the broad scope and needs of the Festival, Vocal Fellows draw on versatile skill sets including choral performance, opera and other stage experience, and knowledge of diverse genres. In 2025, choral fellows performed in the opera Thais by Jules Massenet, the Kodaly Missa Brevis in a production with the Jose Limón Dance Company, Bach’s Mass in B Minor, and in the long-standing Chorus Concert series.
2026 repertoire will be available in early 2026.
Fellows receive:
- Weekly Salary:
- $600 for new fellows.
- $650 for returning fellows from the 2025 season.
- Travel Stipend (for those residing outside Charleston, SC):
- $150 for 50–499 miles traveled.
- $250 for 500–999 miles traveled.
- $350 for 1,000+ miles traveled.
- Note: This stipend is considered taxable income.
- Housing Options (for those residing outside Charleston, SC):
- Free dormitory housing at the College of Charleston with shared living spaces, shared bathrooms, and a communal kitchen and social space.
- OR a one-time housing and ground transportation buyout of $40 per night (must reside outside Charleston, SC and not use Festival-provided housing). Note: This stipend is also considered taxable income.
Eligibility & Requirements
- Selected fellows must be able to pass and maintain a clear background check.
- Chorus Fellows are classified as seasonal employees of Spoleto Festival USA for the duration of their employment.
- Selected fellows must be available to reside in Charleston and attend rehearsals on a dynamic schedule for the entire period of residency (contract lengths vary, but could start as early as mid-May and end as late as June 8, 2026).
- Selected fellows should be prepared to rehearse for and perform in chorus concerts, staged and costumed operas, and/or other special projects as assigned.
- Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for the duration of the engagement. Spoleto Festival USA does not petition for or sponsor visas. Acceptable documentation includes U.S. citizenship, permanent residency (green card), or CPT authorization through a U.S. institution. OPT may not align with spring graduation timelines, so please consult your international student advisor to confirm eligibility.
*Please note that ALL past fellows must re-apply as there are no re-invitations without application for the 2026 Festival.
For questions, contact Philip Snyder, Producer at [email protected]
• • •
Application Deadline: September 15, 2025, 11:59PM Eastern Time
Application Fee: FREE
Prescreening Notifications: early October
Click HERE to apply
Pre-screening requirements:
Applicants will submit the following through the application:
- Links to videos of 2 contrasting works.
- One work in English
- One work in a language other than English
- At least one selection must be an aria from an opera or oratorio
- OPTIONAL: you may additionally provide a third selection that represents a musical style or genre outside of your previous selections that is a part of your performance practice
- A resume showing both chorus and stage experience.
- A headshot used for casting assignments only.
Each work should be uploaded as a separate video. You may record each work as a separate video. Each video should be one unedited, continuous take (note that both works do not need to be from the same take, but each video should be unedited). For each video, do not combine multiple recording sessions or use audio enhancement such as reverb. Editing for video length and to combine audio and video (if, for example, you use an audio recorder for audio and your phone for video) is permitted as long as the resulting video is from a single take.
Links may be to YouTube videos (public or unlisted), Dropbox, Google Drive, or a similar filesharing service. Please label all videos with your full name and voice type before uploading and ensure that sharing permissions are set to allow anyone with the link to view them. For information about enabling sharing in various platforms, CLICK HERE.
Audition Locations (details to be shared after pre-screening):
- November 1, 2025: Cincinnati, OH
- November 2, 2025: Miami, FL
- November 15, 2025: New York, NY
- November 22, 2025: Dallas, TX
- November 23, 2025, Charleston, SC
Audition Requirements and Notes:
Invitations to audition and assigned time slots will be issued in early October based on review of each applicant’s pre-screening materials. While in-person auditions are strongly preferred, applicants may request to submit a video audition if attending an in-person audition would cause undue burden.
In-Person Audition Requirements:
For the in-person audition, each applicant will prepare 3-5 selections and should expect to sing 2-3 of them at the audition.
- At least one selection in English
- At least one selection in a language other than English
- At least one aria from an opera or an oratorio
- Sight singing
In-person auditions will be accompanied: a pianist will be provided at no cost to the applicant, but applicants may engage and coordinate for an outside pianist at their own cost if preferred. Rehearsal in advance of the audition with the Spoleto-provided pianist is not available due to the schedule, but all pianists are well-versed in audition repertoire.
Video Audition Requirements:
Applicants will be asked to submit video recordings of 3 works plus a “sing and play” excerpt that will be sent with the video audition invitation. Video auditions will be due November 1, 2025 at 11:59PM Eastern Time.
- At least one selection in English
- At least one selection in a language other than English
- At least one aria from an opera or an oratorio
- A “sing and play” excerpt which will ask the applicant to play one line of a choral piece on piano while singing another part–details will be sent with the audition invitation
Applicants submitting a video audition are asked to provide their own accompanist at their own cost. Videos from pre-screening may be submitted again as part of the video audition. Applicants are asked to play piano for themselves on the “sing and play” excerpt.
Each work should be uploaded as a separate video. You may record each selection as a separate video. Each video should be one unedited, continuous take (note that videos do not need to be from the same take). For each video, do not combine multiple recording sessions or use audio enhancement such as reverb. Editing for video length and to combine audio and video (if, for example, you use an audio recorder for audio and your phone for video) is permitted as long as the resulting video is from a single take.
All auditions are heard by Dr. Amanda Quist, and a member of the Spoleto Festival USA staff.
For questions, contact Philip Snyder, Producer at [email protected]
Spoleto Festival USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital or parental status, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, medical condition, hairstyle or hair texture, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
We are committed to building an environment where every individual is valued and empowered. Our greatest strength comes from our ability to come together as unique individuals. We invite you to come as you are and bring the best version of yourself.
Spoleto Festival USA also complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws. Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations in the application or audition process. If you need assistance, please contact Philip Snyder, Producer at [email protected].