Most church choirs take the summer off, so while I wait for Fall, I decided to audition for the Huntsville Master Chorale.  I heard their advertisement on the radio and it sounded like a really great group.  A woman I met who sings for a local church said that they are a very good chamber ensemble, and she goes to their concerts all the time.  The radio ad said, "No prepared music required," but that was not true.  When I signed up for an audition on the website, the artistic director sent me 2 excerpts and instructed me to learn the alto part.  Then I was told to prepare a piece of my own and be ready to sight-read a piece.  My piano was in terrible shape, so I did not bring it with me to Alabama.  Instead, I borrowed some time at a local church's piano to learn and rehearse my music.  The day of the audition, I was half an hour early!  You just never know about traffic in a new town!  I snuck into a small music room to use the piano and go over my music.  Then I waited in the hall until it was my turn.  I met some very nice people at the audition.  One gentleman in particular told me what Methodist church he directs at, but when I mentioned how small Madison United Methodist is, and that they don't even have an organ, he admitted that his is a very small church, as well.  I hope he was not offended.  I shouldn't have acted like it was out of the question to sing at a church that does not have an organ, but that's how I feel. They lead me in warm-ups and then I sang my prepared piece.  I sang "Come Unto Him" by Handel.  Then I sang the 2 excerpts a cappella.  Then I sang the sight-reading piece, also a cappella.  There were a few mistakes, but overall I thought it went well.  I was told they would be in touch with me within a week's time.  The next day, I received an e-mail from Dr. Hacker, the artistic director, inviting me to join the Chorale!  Rehearsals start Aug 15.  I let my family and friends in Ohio know, and several visited the website to figure out which concert they want to attend!  I "liked" their page on Facebook in case any information is posted there.  Also, the website is www.hsvmasterchorale.org.  I have already ordered my concert attire, and borrowed pearls from my mom.  I have to have my own black folder, which I brought with me from WUMC.  I felt justified in doing so, because I paid for the last 2 boxes of choir folders for WUMC.  I hope to have an opportunity to perform some lovely and challenging music, and to meet new friends through my participation in this group.  I'm excited!