Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) has several opportunities for singers from across the campus to participate in choral ensembles. Choral ensembles are open to all students, regardless of major. Choral ensembles range in size and focus. Performances take place on the VCU campus, throughout the Richmond region, and beyond.
Choral Ensembles
Choral Arts Society (APPM 359) – Large mixed ensemble, no audition required.
Commonwealth Singers (APPM 358) – Select mixed ensemble, audition required.
Vox Concordia (APPM 378) – Select Treble (Soprano/Alto) ensemble, audition required.
If you have questions, please contact Dr. Chris Hansen, Director of Choral Activities, at hansenc3@vcu.edu
Auditions
Current singers enrolled in Commonwealth Singers or Vox Concordia do not need to re-audition if they will sing in the same choir in the Spring (2024). Auditions are for new singers currently not enrolled, and for current singers who wish to audition for a different choir. Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!
Auditions for Spring 2024 choral ensembles will take place during the first two days of classes (Jan. 16th and Jan. 17th). Non-Music Majors are encouraged to audition for any of the auditioned choral ensembles.
Audition Days
- Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 from 2- 4:30 pm
- Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 from 12 noon – 2:40 pm
Audition Location
- Recital Hall, James W. Black Music Center. 1015 Grove Ave, Richmond, VA 23284
Audition Sign Up
Sign up for an audition slot. Please CLICK ON THIS SIGNUP GENIUS LINK and choose a time.
Audition Procedures (Five-Minutes)
- Sing acapella (without accompaniment) a song of your choosing not to exceed one-minute. If you cannot select a song on your own, then select one of the three songs below (links to sheet music and supplemental learning materials are further below on this webpage):
- Deep River, by Burleigh
- I Attempt from Love’s Sickness, by Purcell
- Whither Must I Wander, by Williams
- Complete a basic vocalizing assessment–Vocal Range.
- Sight sing a rhythm that we give you at the audition.
- Sight sing a melody that we give you at the audition.
Results Following Auditions
You will be placed in a choral ensemble based on your audition. You will be notified via email. Please remember to check your email and plan to attend the class for which you have been selected.
After singers are placed in appropriate choral ensembles, they may complete additional vocal and musical skill exercises for voice part placement within the group (I.E., soprano, alto, tenor, bass).
Course Registration
You do not need to be registered for choir to audition. However, we advise that students register for a choral ensemble in order to receive communications through Canvas and VCU email. Once you are placed in an ensemble, you may need to change your schedule.
Supplemental Audition Materials
SOLFEGE Exercises
There are two – please learn both examples. The first is 8 measures; the second is 10 measures. The notes are the same in treble and bass clef. Click HERE for music.
Optional Song Selections for Auditionees
- 1: Deep River
- HIGH KEY (F Major, Soprano/Tenor)
- MEDIUM KEY (D Major, Alto/Baritone)
- LOW KEY (C Major, Bass)
- RECORDING. Click HERE
- ACCOMPANIMENT (for rehearsal only). Score on screen, accompaniment only. Click HERE
- SCORE in Treble Clef: Click HERE
- SCORE in Bass Clef: Click HERE
- 2: I Attempt from Love’s Sickness, by Henry Purcell
- Materials can be found HERE
- 3: Whither Must I Wander, by Ralph Vaughan Williams
- Materials can be found HERE
Please remember to check your email for choral ensemble placement, and for possible SECOND ROUND Call-Back Auditions. Please attend the sessions that correspond to the choral ensemble for which you have been placed.
Choral and Vocal Ensemble Descriptions
CHORAL ARTS SOCIETY
Choral Arts Society (APPM 359) is a large mixed-voice ensemble bringing the joy of singing to the VCU community & beyond. This course satisfies a degree requirement for music majors studying voice, and is open to all students at VCU regardless of major or degree focus.
This ensemble prepares and performs a variety of choral literature, including music from multiple world cultures, large traditional choral works, and selections from the rich tradition of classical music and musical theatre. In addition to presenting an end-of-semester formal concert, the chorus often performs the National Anthem for VCU sporting events and can be heard in pop-up concerts throughout VCU and the Richmond region. There is no audition for Choral Arts Society.
Choral Arts Society meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:30-2:50 pm.
COMMONWEALTH SINGERS
The VCU Commonwealth Singers (APPM 358) is a select choir of mixed voices (SATB) chosen from throughout the university and known for its sensitive and dynamic performances of diverse spectrum of standard and non-traditional choral repertoire. This ensemble performs in numerous concerts on-and-off campus each semester. Students should have previous choral experience and will be required to audition. This course satisfies a degree requirement for music majors studying voice, and is open to all students at VCU regardless of major or degree focus.
Commonwealth Singers meets Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 12:00-1:15 pm.
VOX CONCORDIA
Vox Concordia (APPM 378) is a select treble ensemble that performs in numerous concerts on- and off-campus each semester, studying and performing a wide range of musical genres for soprano and alto voice. Vox Concordia is open to all students who sing soprano or alto, regardless of gender identity. Students should have previous choral experience and will be required to audition. This course satisfies a degree requirement for music majors studying voice, and is open to all students at VCU regardless of major or degree focus.
Vox Concordia meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00-3:25 pm.