If singing is your passion, the Charlotte Chorale may be looking for you. The group is holding auditions for all voice types beginning at 6 p.m. Oct. 15 at Wintergarden Presbyterian Church in Port Charlotte. An appointment is needed to audition.

The chorale always needs male voices, but this year it also needs altos. It is always open to hearing all interested voices as well. Those auditioning should be available for rehearsals on Monday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

“Sometimes we lose people due to illness or snowbirds coming and going, and even a small turnover in people can make a difference in the group’s sound,” said Juanita Pawlisch, who is in charge of publicity for the chorale.

The Charlotte Chorale performs at various venues throughout its season, October through March, except for a holiday break. Its first performance this season will be Nov. 16 at Burnt Store Presbyterian Church, followed by a concert by the group’s Dickens Singers at the Fishermen’s Village Festival of Lights on Nov. 17 and its Christmas concert, “Songs You Know by Heart,” on Dec. 15 at the Center for Performing Arts in Punta Gorda.

Other concerts will be held at area churches and the Cultural Center of Charlotte County, as well as three or four benefit concerts. The chorale sings music ranging from Broadway tunes to spirituals, masterworks, classical and contemporary numbers.

Artistic director R. Bruce MacGregor founded the Charlotte Chorale in 1989. A native New Yorker, MacGregor taught in the public school system, served as an adjudicator for the New York School Music Association, and directed the Broome Community College choir.

After retiring to Port Charlotte in 1989, he noticed a need in the community for a group in which gifted singers could perform together on a professional level. The original group began with 29 singers and has grown to over 50 today.

MacGregor will retire after this season, having directed the chorale for 24 years. Several concerts will celebrate his founding of the chorale and the years under his direction.

On Feb. 24, the chorale will perform the world premiere of composer Mark Hayes’ dedication to MacGregor, with a special appearance by Hayes. April 6 will be MacGregor’s retirement concert, featuring his “director’s favorites.”

The audition will include singing a simple hymn, repeating a series of notes and performing rhythms. It isn’t necessary to bring or prepare any music. For an audition reservation, call Laurel at 941-505-1345.