Music Department

University of Wisconsin Whitewater

welcome admission academics faculty facilities ensembles Student Information events contact us

Choral Ensembles

CONCERT CHOIR – Robert Gehrenbeck, conductor
The UWW Concert Choir is a large mixed chorus made up of singers from across campus. Repertoire includes classical music of all periods, both sacred and secular, as well as global music—for example, music from Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Performances are at university and local events, including concerts in combination with other choirs and the Whitewater Symphony Orchestra. Concert Choir members also participate in Men’s Chorus or Women’s Chorale. Rehearsals: MW 4:25-5:15 and TuTh 4:45-5:35. MUSC 171-01; 1 credit.

MEN’S CHORUS – Kenneth Harned, conductor.
The UWW Men’s Chorus consists of singers from across the campus, including members of Concert Choir. The group covers the entire range of music for male chorus, from Renaissance to jazz and musical theatre with everything in between. Most performances are at university and local events. Rehearsals: MW 4:25-5:15.  MUSC 279-04; 1 credit.

WOMEN’S CHORALE – Robert Gehrenbeck, conductor.
The UWW Women’s Chorale consists of singers from across the campus, including members of Concert Choir. This choir’s repertoire includes everything from Renaissance madrigals to contemporary works, from classical, musical theatre and global music traditions, with an emphasis on women composers. Most performances are at university and local events. Rehearsals: MW 4:25-5:15. MUSC 279-02; 1 credit.

CHAMBER SINGERS – Robert Gehrenbeck, conductor.
The UWW Chamber Singers is a select ensemble of 24-30 members, including music majors as well as singers from across the campus. Repertoire focuses on classical music composed for small choral ensembles, such as madrigals, motets, and partsongs of all historical periods and a variety of national styles. The choir has also commissioned new works. Chamber Singers tours each spring semester and often collaborates with other choirs in the university or the region to perform major works. Membership by audition only. Rehearsals: MW 3:20-4:10 and TuTh 3:45-4:25. MUSC 171-02; 1 credit.

VOCAL JAZZ ENSEMBLE – Kenneth Harned, conductor.
The new vocal jazz ensemble at UWW, Main Street Vocal Jazz, is a select ensemble of 12-16 mixed voices that performs a wide variety of repertoire, covering all styles in the contemporary vocal idiom, including jazz, pop, and Broadway. Performs on campus and on annual tours. Openings are available for rhythm section instrumentalists. Membership by audition only. Rehearsals: MW 12:05-12:55 with occasional supplemental rehearsals on Tuesdays, 6:00-7:15 pm. MUSC 279-01; 1 credit.

GOSPEL CHOIR - Leotha Stanley, director.  
The UW-Whitewater Gospel Choir is open to all students and currently consists of 100 members. Students learn about the history of Gospel Music and sing at special engagements and at three major on-campus concerts per year. No previous gospel singing is required. Open to all without an audition. Rehearsals: Th 6:30-8:00 pm. MUSC 279-03; 1 credit.

Opera Workshop - Brian Leeper, director
Opera Workshop introduces the singing actor to the basic techniques incorporated in the staging of opera through acting exercises, culminating in a performance of staged and costumed one-act operas and opera scenes. Opera Workshop is intended for more advanced singers, but is open to all university students by audition. An audition is required. Additionally, there are opportunities to sing in complete opera and musical productions as described below.

Musicals and Operas - Robert Gehrenbeck & Brian Leeper, directors
The Department of Music in collaboration with the Theatre & Dance Department annually presents a musical or an opera. These productions are fully costumed and staged and are intended for more advanced singers and actors. The musicals and operas are open to all university students by audition.

INFORMATION ABOUT CHOIR AUDITIONS
All UWW Choirs are open to all UWW Students! In order to join a choir, you music attend a Voice Placement or Audition session at the beginning of the semester. The voice placement sessions for Concert, Choir, Men’s Chorus, and Women’s Chorale are quite simple and non-threatening. You will be expected to match pitch and sing a few easy exercises to demonstrate your vocal range and your ability to remember simple melodies. Chamber Singers and Main Street Vocal Jazz require a more formal audition that includes sight singing and a short prepared piece. Gospel Choir does not require an audition.  For further information, contact Robert Gehrenbeck, gehrenbr@uww.edu, or Kenneth Harned, harnedk@uww.edu. All choir rehearsals take place in the Center of the Arts, room 1003.