Women's Chorus

The Virginia Tech Women’s Chorus 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 recently hosted the first Mid-Atlantic Women’s Chorus Festival and was also featured at the 2005 Virginia Music Teachers Association State Conference. In 2011, the group toured to North Carolina.

Performances have included 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.

• Number of performers: open
• Rehearsal Times: Monday/Wednesday, 5:30-6:55 p.m.
• Location: Squires Recital Salon
  

Featured Media

Flos regalis ........................................................................................................................ 14th century anonymous
Banks of Doon ........................................................................................................................ Donna Gartman Schultz
Ya Faroule ........................................................................................................................ Stephen Hatfield (arr.)

Auditions

Auditions begin the Thursday before each semester. Sign up sheets will be posted by Dr. Bigler’s office (Squires 242-J) throughout the week before each semester. All incoming students interested in auditioning for a choir at Virginia Tech should attend the Choir Interest Meeting on the first Tuesday of fall semester from 8:00­-9:00 p.m. in Squires Recital Salon — refreshments will be served! (You do not need to wait to audition until after this meeting—we have this meeting to help those of you who might be extra nervous about the audition process!) At the Choir Interest Meeting, we will hear and sing through many of the audition requirements together. All returning Tech choir members will be there, and we will all learn an excerpt from one of the pieces to be featured on the Fall Choir Showcase. With an estimated 150 singers attending, it will certainly be an exciting kick-off to the choral year! We will finish with a question/answer period and have sign-up sheets for you to find a time for your individual audition, if you have not already completed one. If you are unable to attend, please contact Dr. Bigler—you will still be able to audition!

The Audition Process:

• Demonstrate your range by singing various vocal exercises (similar to warm-up exercises in most choirs)
• Sight-read a short rhythmic and melodic sample
• Repeat short tonal memory patterns after hearing them on the piano
• Sing My Country ‘Tis of Thee (a cappella, in various keys)

If you are interested in being considered for Chamber Singers, you must bring a prepared solo and sign up for an audition BEFORE the first Wednesday of classes.

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