WIU Choirs

UNIVERSITY SINGERS

Dr. Brian J. Winnie, conductor

Meets: MWF, 1:00-1:50p and T/TH, 12:30p to 1:45p
Fall and Spring Semesters

The "flagship," auditioned choral ensemble at Western. University Singers performs diverse repertoire from Renaissance to Contemporary Commercial Music with special focus on versatility and authenticity of vocal quality. Though primarily music majors, membership is open to all university students, most of who receive talent grant awards. This nationally recognized ensemble of highly motivated singers presents two major concerts per semester, including the student choral conductor concert; performs in the annual Holiday Festival of Music; an annual recruiting tour; and yearly major works with the WIU Symphony Orchestra & Concert Choir. The University Singers regularly receives invitations to perform for regional and national conventions for the National Association for Music Education and the American Choral Directors Association. They have also appeared on professional venues with the Kansas City Symphony, the Dallas Brass, the Peoria Symphony and the Phoenix Symphony.

CONCERT CHOIR

Dr. Jason Hawkins, conductor

Meets: MWF, 2:00-2:50p
Fall and Spring Semesters

Concert Choir is a large, performance-based choral ensemble open to all University students regardless of major or experience level. The ensemble is non-auditioned; however, some prior experience reading musical notation is suggested. Concert Choir performs a variety of traditional and contemporary choral repertoire at 2-3 concerts on campus per semester including the annual Holiday Festival of Music and the Masterworks Concert with the WIU University Singers and Symphony Orchestra.

For more information about our ensembles contact:
Dr. Brian J. Winnie
Director of Choral Studies
bj-winnie@wiu.edu
309.298.1378

CHAMBER SINGERS

 

Dr. Brian J. Winnie, co-conductor
Dr. Jason Hawkins, co-conductor

Meets MWF, 12:00-12:50p
Fall and Spring Semesters

Chamber Singers is a small (8-16 member), auditioned vocal ensemble open to all University students, regardless of major. This advanced ensemble performs primarily a cappella repertoire with special focus on the individual musicianship and collaboration inherent in chamber singing. The ensemble also aims to promote individual and ensemble versatility in vocal quality and musical expression associated with the performance of all styles, periods, and genres of vocal repertoire (including madrigals, vocal jazz, contemporary a cappella, and contemporary choral repertoire). Chamber Singers performs four to five concerts a year and prior vocal experience is required to audition. 

 

TREBLE CHOIR

Dr. Brian J. Winnie, conductor & Graduate Choral Conducting Students

Meets Tuesdays, 6:00-7:30p
Fall and Spring Semesters

Treble Choir is a non-auditioned university and community ensemble for soprano and alto voices open to all University faculty, staff, and students, regardless of major. It is also open to community members and high school students (9th-12th grade). Treble Choir sings a variety of treble-voice repertoire and styles from the Renaissance to Contemporary Commercial Music.

OPERA WORKSHOP

 

Varied Vocal Faculty

Meets T/Th, 3:00-5:00p (Spring Semesters)

Western Illinois University's Opera program is open to all students across campus, but it is particularly designed to provide voice majors the opportunity to sing, refine their acting skills, and practice fundamentals of stage movement all culminating in a final spring scenes performance. Visit www.wiu.edu/cofac/opera for for more information.