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Choirs at Western

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, and Dr. Tracy Wong, Assistant Professor of Choral Studies.

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. Most recently, the Choir Council created a professional clothing drive to support students at the faculty who may not have the means to purchase performance attire. This year, the Choir Council plans on collaborating with SNATS to host a discussion panel with voice and choral faculty. The Choir Council Executive Team comprises the roles of President, VP Communications, Secretary, Treasurer, and First-Year Representative.

Choral Events in 2023-24

Wednesday, Oct 25 | 7:30pm
Paul Davenport Theatre
Choral Kick-off!
Chorale, Les Choristes and Western University Singers share the stage to kick off the choral season. Come hear all three ensembles perform and join forces as a massed choir.

Friday, October 27 | 12:30pm (approx. 1 hour duration)
Paul Davenport Theatre
Tempo!
Western University Singers and Les Choristes and other musicians join a special event combining a concert with a discussion of the increasing natural disasters coming from climate change and what we can do to adapt to our changing reality. Learn more

Tuesday, December 5 | 7:30pm
Paul Davenport Theatre
Chorale in Concert
Chorale takes the stage on its own! The concert will feature a variety of choral music for equal and mixed voices.

Wednesday, December 6 | 7:30pm
von Kuster Hall
December Musings
Join us in an evening of choral music that reflects varied impressions of December. Les Choristes and Western University Singers share the concert to end the semester. 

Tuesday, February 13 | 12:30pm
Paul Davenport Theatre
Lunchtime Choral Series featuring Chorale
Take a midday break, unplug, and catch each of our faculty choirs in concert this week.

Wednesday, Feburary 14 | 12:30pm (approx. 1 hour duration)
von Kuster Hall
Lunchtime Choral Series featuring Western University Singers
Take a midday break, unplug, and catch each of our faculty choirs in concert this week.

Thursday, February 15 | 12:30pm (approx. 1 hour duration)
von Kuster Hall
Lunchtime Choral Series featuring Les Choristes
Take a midday break, unplug, and catch each of our faculty choirs in concert this week.

Saturday, March 23 | 7:30pm
Paul Davenport Theatre
Joyful, Joyful!
Chorale and Western University Singers collaborate with special guests the London Gospel Collective in an evening of gospel and sacred music.

Wesnesday, March 27 | 7:30pm
Paul Davenport Theatre
United in Song
Chorale and Les Choristes pair up for their final concert of the year. Come celebrate the end of the school year as over 100 voices join together in songs of celebration.

Saturday, April 6 | 7:30pm
von Kuster Hall
Part(ing) Songs
To end the choral season, Western University Singers presents a concert of highlights from the year, plus music performed in quartets, octets, and other small groupings.

 

In the Spotlight

December 2021
Celebrating World Choral Day

October 2021
Dr. Tracy Wong named Assistant Professor of Choral Studies

May 2021
Mark Ramsay to Co-Chair Podium 2022 conference