University Chorale
The University Chorale is an auditioned mixed choir comprising students from all majors and a variety of musical backgrounds. The ensemble is dedicated to the performance of multi-movement choral works from the Baroque to the Modern era, collaborating with instrumental ensembles. The choir performs on campus each semester in addition to University events like Family Weekend, the Rotunda Concert Series and Holiday Happening.
The University Chorale, led by Dr. John Irving, invites all students who love to sing to audition and make music with others. Students may register each semester, but no more than eight credits can be counted toward graduation.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:30-5:45 p.m.
Auditions are required. All students, regardless of academic major, are encouraged to audition.
Prepared Piece
Perform 1-2 minutes of a prepared selection from memory. This can be an art song, aria, folk song or hymn. An accompanist will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer. Keep the difficulty of accompaniment in mind as the staff accompanist will be sight reading.
Sight Reading
You will be given a short musical example to read with one minute to look at the line before singing. Solfège, numbers or a neutral vowel are all acceptable methods. If you would like to prepare before your audition, practice by singing individual voice parts of a hymnal or basic music text without the aid of a piano. Resources are also available online.
Tonal Memory
A series of random pitches will be played on the piano. You will then be asked to sing them back after the first hearing. There will be several different examples.