Women's Chorale

The Women’s Chorale is a select ensemble that performs choral literature for treble voices from all time periods. It is comprised of undergraduate and graduate students from both the music department and other degree programs. The Women’s Chorale was featured at the 2005 Virginia Music Teachers Association State Conference. Recent performances include Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, Brahms’ Vier Gesänge für Frauenchor, zwei Hörner und Harfe, and Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater. Joint performances with the combined University Choirs and New River Valley Symphony Orchestra include Beethoven’s Mass in C, Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, and Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem.

Their 2009-2010 Season includes performances of new compositions, sacred Latin works, Hebrew folk songs, and a shared concert with the visiting Cornell University Chorus (their premiere women’s ensemble). The VT Women’s Chorale will also combine with the entire Virginia Tech choral department for a spring concert of choral masterworks with organ.

• Number of performers: historically 35 to 50—the more the merrier!
• Rehearsal Times: Monday/Wednesday, 5:30-6:55
• Location: Squires Recital Salon

Auditions for all students take place during the first week of the fall semester. Sign up for a time at Squires 242U during the week before school starts or during the first days of classes.

The Audition Process:

1. Demonstrate your range by singing various vocal exercises (similar to warm-up exercises in most choirs)
2. Sight-sing a given musical example
3. Repeat short tonal memory patterns after hearing them on the piano
4. Sing one verse of “My Country ‘tis of Thee” (a cappella)

You are not required to bring a prepared solo unless you are interested in being considered for Chamber Singers.

If you have any questions or concerns about the audition process, please contact Dr. Bigler at dbigler@vt.edu.