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Choirs at Western

Coordinator of Choral Activities

Conductors

Choirs at Western

The Choral Program at the Don Wright Faculty of Music includes three choral ensembles, course offerings at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, two graduate degree options, and an undergraduate student-led council. The Faculty frequently hosts distinguished guests and touring ensembles that work with students in classroom, rehearsal, and performance settings. Recent guests have included the Canadian Chamber Choir, Sherryl Sewepagaham, musica intima, and Andrew Balfour. The Choral Program is led by Dr. Mark Ramsay, Coordinator of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music Education.

Choral Ensembles

Choral Program includes three choirs: Chorale, Les Choristes, and Western University Singers. Each choir performs at least four times throughout the academic year and frequently collaborates with guest artists, community organizations and ensembles, and other Faculty ensembles. See all events this year at a glance.

Graduate Program

Students can study choral conducting at the graduate level in the Master of Music (MMus) Performance degree program and the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree program. The application deadline is December 1 and live auditions occur in February. Graduate students in choral conducting receive weekly individual lessons, dedicated podium time with Faculty ensembles, a weekly choral seminar class, and the opportunity to take elective courses from various departments.

Choir Council

The Faculty of Music Choir Council is a student-led team at the undergraduate level that serves to support and represent students participating in the choral program at Western. Students can apply to be a member of the Executive Team, or participate as choir representatives to act as liaisons for the choir they participate in. Additionally, the Choir Council works closely with the choral faculty and creates initiatives throughout the year to expand and support the offerings of the overall choral program. Choir Council also supports the Student Leadership Choral Collective (SLCC), a student-led choir within the faculty that is open to all students across campus.

Choral Events in 2025-26

All concerts are approximately 1.5 hours in length unless otherwise noted. Download concert programs

Sunday, September 28 | 3pm
Paul Davenport Theatre
Commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Join the Don Wright Faculty of Music for a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation commemoration concert. As part of the events leading up to September 30, this event will feature solo performances by alumni Emma Pennell and Evan Korbut and Master's student Rebecca Crane as well selections performed by the Western University Singers. Programming includes selections from Ian Cusson's Five Songs on Poems by Marilyn Dumont: “Letter to Sir John A MacDonald”, “Red + White”, and “The Devil's Language”.

Thursday, October 30 | 7:30pm
Paul Davenport Theatre
Choral Kick-off!
Chorale, Les Choristes and Western University Singers share the stage in the annual Choral Kick-off! Come hear all three ensembles together in concert as they kick off the choral season.

Thursday, December 4 | 7:30pm | 1 hour
von Kuster Hall
Les Choristes Showcase
The faculty’s SA (soprano alto) choir, Les Choristes, presents a concert of choral music spanning styles, traditions, and centuries. From lyrical melodies to rhythmic flair, this concert showcases the versatility and expressive power of upper voices.

Monday, December 8 | 7:30pm
Paul Davenport Theatre
Choral Combinations
Join Chorale and Western University Singers as they end the semester with a concert showcasing repertoire for mixed and equal-voice ensembles.

Tuesday, February 10 | 12:30pm | approx. 50 mins
Paul Davenport Theatre
Lunchtime Choral Series: Chorale
Take a midday break, unplug, and catch each of our faculty choirs in concert this week at 12:30pm: Chorale on Tuesday, Les Choristes on Wednesday, and Western University Singers on Thursday.

Wednesday, February 11 | 12:30pm | approx. 50 mins
von Kuster Hall
Lunchtime Choral Series: Les Choristes
Take a midday break, unplug, and catch each of our faculty choirs in concert this week at 12:30pm: Chorale on Tuesday, Les Choristes on Wednesday, and Western University Singers on Thursday.

Thursday, February 12 | 12:30pm (approx. 50 minutes)
von Kuster Hall
Lunchtime Choral Series: Western University Singers
Take a midday break, unplug, and catch each of our faculty choirs in concert this week at 12:30pm: Chorale on Tuesday, Les Choristes on Wednesday, and Western University Singers on Thursday.

Wednesday, April 8 | 7:30pm
von Kuster Hall
Reflections in Song
As the year draws to a close, catch Les Choristes and Western University Singers in a final concert showcasing the full ensembles and smaller ensembles from within the groups. Reflections and insights from both the composers and singers are interspersed throughout the program.

Thursday, April 9 | 7:30pm
Paul Davenport Theatre
Here's to Song!
Chorale ends the season on a high note with a concert of choral favourites. The faculty's student led choir, the Student Leadership Choral Collective (SLCC), makes a guest appearance!