Choral Ensemble Auditions

We are delighted you’re interested in singing with one of our outstanding University of Illinois choral ensembles.  We have a choir for every interested singer and look forward to welcoming you into our community, where we share the joy of singing great music together!

Choir Ensembles Auditions

Chamber Singers (MUSC 460, TR  1:00-2:50 PM)
University Chorus (MUSC 462, MW  4:00-5:20 PM)
Black Chorus (MUSC 463, W  6:00-8:50 PM)
Women’s Glee Club (MUSC 464, TR  4:00-5:20 PM)
Varsity Men’s Glee Club (MUSC 465, TR  5:30-6:50 PM)
Oratorio Society (MUSC 466, T  7:30-9:30PM)

Audition information for Jazz Vocal Ensemble and Jazz Vocal Combos.

Auditions take place the first week of the fall semester. Singers who are not in a choir and who wish to join one for the Spring semester are invited to drop-in for an audition. See below for details.

Choral Auditions for Music Majors

All music majors audition every year in the fall semester. These students are in the BMUS, BME, and BMA degree programs. Transfer students joining the School of Music in the spring set up an audition with Prof. Andrea Solya during the first week of the spring semester. BA in Music and CS + Music students are encouraged to audition!

Location, Time and Audition Schedule for Music Majors

Music major choir auditions take place in Krannert Center Room 4-411 with Dr. Andrea Solya. The room is located on the fourth level of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, near the south end of the building. Enter through the blue level KCPA doors on the main floor of the parking garage and go up one level.

Monday, August 26 from 1:00-4:00 PM: Freshmen, Sophomores
Tuesday, August 27 from 1:00-4:00 PM: Sophomores, Juniors
Wednesday, August 28 from 1:00-4:00 PM: Seniors, graduate students.

For MUSIC MAJORS:

For NON-MUSIC MAJORS:

Requirements and what to expect

Be prepared to sing a short aria or art song (or excerpt from a longer aria or art song of about two minutes). You will also be asked to sight-read, and may be asked to vocalize and/or perform tonal memory exercises. The aria or song can be from any tradition, in any language, and should show us your expressive talents as well as your vocal skill.
If the day assigned for your year does not work in your schedule, you may sign up for a time on one of the other days (not the evenings, which are reserved for non-music major auditions).

Choral Auditions for Non-music Majors

Eligibility

The University of Illinois Choirs are open to all students by audition.

Drop-in auditions are available for Fall 2024 enrollment for new students!

Requirements and what to expect

Be prepared to sing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” or another song of your choice (1-2 minutes maximum) for your audition.

Returning Students

Returning members of Women’s Glee Club (WGC) who are non-music majors and who do not wish to be considered for any other choral ensemble do not need to re-audition. Be sure to contact Prof. Solya before the audition days to let her know your intent to return. All Varsity Men’s Glee Club (VMGC) members (returning and new) are required to audition.

Location, Date, and Audition Schedule (Non-Music majors)

Tuesday, August 27, 2024 | 5:00-8:00 PM
Wednesday, August 28, 2024 | 5:00-8:00 PM

Sopranos and Altos: Krannert Center, 4th Floor, Room 4-411. Approach from Blue Parking (south side stairs or elevator).
Tenors and Basses: Smith Memorial Hall, Room 203 (Studio of Dr. Barrington Coleman)

A sign-up form will be posted here in August.

Black Chorus

If your interest is in specifically singing in Black Chorus this year, you do not need to take the choral audition described above, unless you are a music major; all music majors re-audition every year as described above. For Black Chorus information, contact Dr. Ollie Watts Davis.

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