Contact Information
Choral Office
Phone: (304) 293.4567
222A Creative Arts Center
The West Virginia University Choirs
The University Choir is the flagship ensemble of our dynamic, 5-ensemble choral program. This select mixed choir is comprised primarily of junior, senior and graduate vocalists. The University Choir studies and performs complex repertoire from all stylistic genres, accompanied and a cappella, and travels frequently. Training the professional choral musician is the primary focus of this ensemble. In addition to performance, the curriculum challenges singers to hone their personal musicianship skills, apply and synthesize musical facts and concepts presented in other course work, and develop a professional work ethic. Podium opportunities are afforded to graduate conducting majors and qualified undergraduates.
The University Choir performs regularly with the WVU Wind Symphony and WVU Symphony Orchestra and often represents the university at special events on and off campus. The choir has premiered the music of faculty and student composers, participated in several recording projects, and presented major concerts both regionally and internationally.
The Women’s Choir studies and performs choral music for women’s voices representing all stylistic genres. Selected by audition, this ensemble includes primarily freshmen and sophomore female vocal majors, instrumentalists, and talented non-majors who wish to continue singing in a select chamber choir. Emphasis is placed on the training of the total choral musician, including exposure to foreign languages, development of the musical ear, understanding performance practices, and the healthy use of the voice in a choral context. The Women’s Choir participates in recordings, combines with other ensembles for major works, and travels occasionally.
The University Choral Union studies and performs choral masterworks and other music for large choir. Numbering approximately eighty singers, The Choral Union is comprised of university students, faculty, and staff, and adult community members. Membership is by audition. Adult community members who wish to join the ensemble do not need to enroll for credit. In addition to the School of Music ensembles, this choir has collaborated with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Wheeling Symphony.
Along with the major choral ensembles, the School of Music offers two vocal jazz ensembles, also open to all students by audition. Comprehensive study and performance of traditional and contemporary vocal jazz and other popular musical styles is presented in Same Difference, a vocal octet with rhythm section, and the Women’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble. These ensembles are often called upon to sing for special events, both on and off campus.
Audition Information
Auditions for the WVU Choirs take place during the first week and last weeks of every semester. The auditions for all choirs consist of sightreading melodies and rhythmic patterns. For University Choir, Women’s Choir, and Choral Union, auditionees will also sing “America, the Beautiful.” For Same Difference and Women’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble auditionees will sing the chorus of “Take Me Home Country Roads.” Sheet music and an accompanist will be provided for the auditions.All students of WVU are welcome to audition for any WVU Choir. In addition to WVU students, WVU faculty, staff, and Morgantown community members are welcome to audition for Choral Union.
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