Singers, take note: Military members, veterans and retirees are invited to audition for a mass chorus that will perform May 8 at the Invictus Games in Orlando, Florida. The performance also will be part of a live TV broadcast from the games.
Volunteers may submit auditions (sing "America the Beautiful") are being submitted through the free Wurrly app; the deadline is April 2.
The chorus will perform the "Invictus Anthem" at the games at Walt Disney World Resort. The performance will be featured during a segment of a live, two-hour TV broadcast.
Participants must provide their own transportation and accommodations. The choir is being assembled by CAMMO, The Center for Military Music Opportunities, or CAMMO, is assembling the choir. According to CAMMO co-founder and Chief Creative Director Victor Hurtado, the organization wants to bring together a chorus with a "significant and impactful" number of singers.
Active-duty, Guard and rReserve members, as well as veterans and retirees from all branches of service, are eligible to audition. Applicants must be willing to show their DD-214 or active-duty identification and provide information for a background check.
The Invictus Games is an international sporting event for wounded, ill and injured servicemen and women — those serving as well as veterans. The competition began in 2014 as the brainchild of Britain’s Prince Harry after he attended the Warrior Games in the U.S. in 2013. It promotes sport as part of their recovery and rehabilitation, and generates a wider understanding and respect for those who serve their countries.
Invictus means "unconquered." The "Invictus Anthem" was adapted by Chris Martin of Coldplay in 2014 from the poem "Invictus," by William Ernest Henley. It’s the anthem of the games.
"This is an amazing opportunity," Hurtado said. "These games give singers an opportunity to perform with fellow military members, represent their country, communities and local military bases, and help CAMMO and the Invictus Foundation continue their work with service member and veteran artists and athletes."
The choir members don't have to be able to read music. Those accepted will receive tools to learn the vocal part. Participants must be able to attend rehearsals May 5-7, as well as the performance May 8. For those in the Orlando area who are chosen, additional rehearsals will be held on April 30 and May 1.
To audition, download the Wurrly app on your device by going to www.wurrly.com/CAMMOInvictus. Select "America the Beautiful," and record your version of the song. Type #CAMMO in the comments to show that you agree with the terms of audition, and save.
Those with questions, or who can't audition with the Wurrly app, should contact the CAMMO casting team at casting@cammomusic.org.
You can also visit www.cammomusic.org for more information. CAMMO is a nonprofit organization founded in 2009 by Navy veteran Cathie Lechareas and Army veteran Victor Hurtado. Its mission is to provide military-specific music programs to help past and current service members suffering from neurological impairments such as traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress. The organization also trains and educates service members, veterans and their families in music career opportunities.
Information about the rehearsals will be provided to those who are selected to participate.
Karen Jowers covers military families, quality of life and consumer issues for Military Times. She can be reached at kjowers@militarytimes.com.
Karen has covered military families, quality of life and consumer issues for Military Times for more than 30 years, and is co-author of a chapter on media coverage of military families in the book "A Battle Plan for Supporting Military Families." She previously worked for newspapers in Guam, Norfolk, Jacksonville, Fla., and Athens, Ga.
