New Amsterdam Singers is an accomplished mid-size chorus that is well-known for adventurous programming that features premieres and commissions as well as traditional choral gems, and our upcoming season will be no exception.. And we have a great time singing together. You might, too! We rehearse from 7 to 9:45 PM on Tuesday nights at Broadway Presbyterian Church at 601 West 114th Street in Manhattan and perform at venues all around New York City. There are occasional openings in the chorus throughout the season.
Music Director Ben Arendsen invites singers with choral experience and sight-reading ability to audition. New Amsterdam Singers is well-known for adventurous programming that features premieres and commissions as well as traditional choral gems, and our upcoming season will be no exception. Music from Jake Runestad, Bach, and Reena Esmail, Jennifer Lucy Cook, Leonard Bernstein and Alex Berko will all be featured this season. Additionally a collaboration with the Jackson Heights Orchestra and a US premiere of José Maurício Nunes Garcia’s rarely performed Missa Mimosa (a Brazilian piece from the Classical period) will be a highlight for our concerts in March, as well as a young composers competition for our May concert. Please join us for a beautiful and unique choral experience!
Our upcoming season concert dates will be:
December 11th (7:30pm) and 13th (4pm)
March 7th (4pm) and 10th (7:30pm)
May 21st (7:30pm) and 23rd (4pm)
The chorus remains committed to the safety of our singers, staff and audiences during these times, and we’ll maintain appropriate safety protocols throughout the season.
Auditions dates: Tuesday 8/25 and 9/1 from 6-8pm, and 9/8 from 6-7pm, or by appointment. To schedule an audition with Music Director Ben Arendsen, e-mail musicdirector@nasingers.org.
Frequently Asked Questions about Auditioning
What happens at an audition?
Your audition will be private; one-on-one with Music Director Ben Arendsen. At your audition, Ben will have you sing some scales to test your vocal range, will play series of notes for you to sing back to him, to test your listening and pitch, and will ask you to sight-read some music. You will also sing one prepared piece of your own choosing.
Do I need to be able to sight-read?
It is expected that all members of New Amsterdam Singers have at least basic sight reading skills.
When are auditions held?
Most auditions take place in August, prior to the beginning of the new season. There are occasionally openings during the course of the year, however, so singers are encouraged to inquire about openings at other times of the year as well.
Do you have an opening in my voice part?
We have some openings in all voice parts each year, so singers are always encouraged to audition if interested.
Does it cost anything to join?
Full chorus dues are $255 for the year ($85 per concert cycle). New members sing their first NAS concert free of charge. Full-time students receive a $45 per concert ($135 annual) rate. Additional scholarships are available.
Can I hear a sample of New Amsterdam Singers in performance?
We’ve provided some excerpts of New Amsterdam Singers in performance here.
Interested in auditioning? Learn more about our 2025-26 season here.