Become a member of Ladies Musical Club (LMC)
LMC’s mission is to foster classical music among its members and in Washington communities through education, performance, and awards. For over 130 years, LMC members have served as volunteers in support of this mission, participating in a wide variety of rewarding music activities and collaborations. LMC membership is open to music and arts advocates, composers, and musicians. In addition to our outreach programs, LMC promotes music among its members through interest groups, master classes, special events, professional networking and community building. And, the LMC is not just for ladies; anyone can apply and join through the membership process!
Membership Application Form (Online Form)
Benefits of Membership
Whether performing or supporting music in our community, LMC membership is extremely rewarding. All members are strongly encouraged to participate in LMC activities, programs, and events. This can mean presenting free public concerts, coordinating music in schools or helping with our archives, volunteering for an event, participating in our member groups (such as piano group, opera group, and composers’ group), serving on the Board of Directors, or creating a new program that supports our mission. Every member’s participation has helped our club and Seattle’s musical community flourish for the past 130+ years. Come make history as an LMC member!
Membership categories
General Member:
A member who supports the LMC mission through the gifts of time, musical interest, and special expertise to the Club. Application materials required. See below for application details.
Performing Member (Solo or Collaborative/Ensemble):
A member who is eligible to perform in the Public Concert Series. Audition and application materials required. See below for audition requirements.
2023 Audition Dates –
- Summer: Friday evening, August 18, 2023 (apply by July 15th)
- Fall/Winter: Wednesday evening, December 6, 2023 (apply by November 1st)
- Spring: Wednesday evening, May 1st, 2024 (apply by March 15th)
(Special Category) 50-Year Lifetime Member:
A member who has maintained membership for 50 years or more. 50-Year Lifetime Members can be either General or Performing Members. The LMC is privileged to have several 50 year + members in our musical community. These members are exempt from membership dues.
(Special Category) Honorary Member:
A member who has been conferred membership by LMC’s board of trustees for their exceptional service to the organization and/or the greater musical community. These members are exempt from membership dues.
Ways to Participate
Member meetings
Each year, LMC holds a few member meetings to connect, enjoy live music, and get caught up on business. LMC puts on three large member events each year: a Fall Gathering, an Annual Luncheon in the Spring, and an Annual Meeting in June.
Committee and Board Positions
In addition to positions on the governing Board of Trustees, members may choose from a variety of committee and other special jobs. Committees support our major programs, including Archives, Frances Walton Competition, Music in Schools, and Public Concert Series.
Piano Performance Group
LMC pianists and other interested members meet monthly to perform and share lunch. Participating members take turns hosting.
Composers’ Group
From professionals to hobbyists, LMC composers and other interested members meet monthly to perform compositions, share feedback, study new works, take educational outings, and prepare collaborations with LMC performers.
Public Performance Opportunities (performing members only)
Upon successful audition and payment of dues, performing members are invited to sign up to perform as part of our Public Concert Series. These are free concerts performed in-person or virtually by LMC performing members and occasional guest artists. Performers generously donate their time to provide free music in our community.
Applying for membership
Performing and general membership is by invitation of the Board of Trustees, based on audition and application review. Annual dues are $110 for both General and Performing Members over age 32. Members who are age 32 and under pay $90 per year. Dues for members accepted during the winter/spring auditions will be half the annual rate. There is a non-refundable $25 application fee, which will be applied to the annual dues for successful applicants.
To apply, fill out a Membership Application.
LMC Performing Member Auditions
LMC Performing Member auditions are generally held three times annually in the spring, summer, and fall.
Summer 2023 Auditions will take place in mid-August 2023. Application deadline is July 15, 2023.
Fall/Winter 2023 Auditions will take place on Wednesday evening, December 6, 2023 at Good Shepherd Chapel in Wallingford. Application deadline is November 1, 2023.
Spring 2024 Auditions will take place on Wednesday evening, May 1, 2024 at Good Shepherd Chapel in Wallingford. Application deadline is March 15, 2024.
Applicants wishing to be accepted as a performing member have two options: audition either as a solo performer or as a collaborative/ensemble performer. Please ensure your audition repertoire reflects your desired performance category (solo or collaborative/ensemble). In either case, the applicant shall prepare three pieces in contrasting styles, for a total of about 15 minutes of music. Music does not have to be memorized.
Applicants wishing to perform on multiple instruments in the Public Concerts series should plan to complete a separate audition on each instrument.
Other requirements for specific instruments and for singers are:
Pianists
Pianists wishing to audition as accompanists, but not as solo pianists, should bring a collaborator to the audition. This may be a current collaborator or LMC may be able to provide a list of current LMC members willing to assist. If a collaborator is needed, the applicant shall notify LMC at least one month in advance of the audition date, so that the applicant has time to contact, confirm, and to be thoroughly rehearsed with the collaborator by the audition date.
Instrumentalists (excluding piano)
Non-piano instrumentalists should bring a collaborator to the audition. This may be a current collaborator or LMC may be able to provide a list of current LMC members willing to assist. If a collaborator is needed, the applicant shall notify LMC at least one month in advance of the audition date, so that the applicant has time to contact, confirm, and to be thoroughly rehearsed with the collaborator by the audition date.
Singers
Singers should bring a collaborator to the audition. This may be a current collaborator or LMC may be able to provide a list of current LMC members willing to assist. If a collaborator is needed, the applicant shall notify LMC at least one month in advance of the audition date, so that the applicant has time to contact, confirm, and to be thoroughly rehearsed with the collaborator by the audition date.
Singers should prepare three songs in three different languages. At least two of the selections should be art songs, as LMC primarily presents recitals.
More about LMC: