c. 2008 Religion News Service

WASHINGTON _ Patricia Mattimore wants to sing for the pope.

So do 587 others who auditioned for one of the 250 spots in the choir that will sing for Pope Benedict XVI when he visits Washington in April.

“I wanted to give it a try to see if I might attend the papal Mass, because I suspect I won’t be able to get there any other way,” said Mattimore, a 55-year-old accountant from Washington who auditioned on Saturday (Feb. 9).

“It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If nothing’s ventured nothing’s gained.”

The singers chosen will perform various musical styles, from African-American spirituals to Gregorian chant, at the Mass on April 17 at the new Nationals Park baseball stadium.

It’s not quite American Idol, but the competition is stiff. Those who are selected must have good voices, be able to sight read or learn music quickly and be willing to sing various musical styles.

“The texts of the music are drawing on the themes of the Holy Spirit and the presence of the Holy Spirit in the church,” said Thomas Stehle, the choir’s director, who worked with Washington Archbishop Donald Wuerl to pick music that reflected cultural and language diversity of the United States.

Audition information was sent to pastors, parishes and music ministry directors. Interested singers had one week to submit an online request, and if eligible, were assigned to a half-hour time slot and audition site.

Generally, participants were involved in music ministry or parish choirs, but others who have the requisite skills were permitted to audition.

“I don’t sing with a parish, so I wasn’t even sure I’d be considered, but they checked and told me it was OK,” said Sara Perla, a 25-year-old Catholic school teacher in Kensington, Md. “I want to see the pope! I’m just really nervous. I haven’t auditioned for anything in years.”

In addition to the adults, a 175-voice children’s choir will also sing for the pope, although kids won’t face a grueling audition process. Rehearsals will also begin soon for a separate multicultural choir and a gospel choir.

Aspirants were judged based on tone quality, singing in-tune and how well their voice would blend with a group. The winners will have to attend seven group rehearsals and will be notified by e-mail if they made the cut.

“We’re really just judging voice quality and sight-reading ability,” said Vince Natali, a judge for the auditions at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in downtown Washington. “We would give them a piece that they’ve never seen, and they would have to sing it back to us without accompaniment, so they’re really on their own for that part.”

At St. Matthew’s, one of at least 10 audition sites, aspiring singers were given only four minutes to audition, and most contestants were in and out in less than 20 minutes.

“You don’t get a chance to get too nervous,” said Theresa Brice, 56-year-old executive assistant to Laborer’s International Union who attends St. Edward the Confessor Church in Bowie, Md. “I’m sure there are going to be a lot of people who are going to be a lot better than I am, but I thought I could try because it is such a great honor.”

Auditions are individual, and everyone is required to sing the hymn “All Creatures of Our God and King” with piano accompaniment. Judges tested the singers’ high and low ranges, and then asked singers to sight-read one of several musical scores.

“I’ll be fine,” Brice said after her audition, “as long as we don’t have someone like Ella Fitzgerald go in after me.”

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A photo of a singer auditioning is available via https://religionnews.com.