Choir Audition Information

No formal audition necessary for Varsity Chorus, University Chorale, and All-Collegiate Choir. Register and see info below.

UNIVERSITY SINGERS & CHAMBER SINGERS will both be auditioning new singers for Spring Term 2025. University Singers will continue as the historic 'flagship' choir of the University. The 12-16 voice 'chamber' ensemble experience will focus on being a true collegiate repertory (conductor's recital) ensemble focused on providing rich choral-chamber experiences for our choral conductors.

UNIVERSITY SINGERS & CHAMBER SINGERS will both be auditioning new singers for Spring Term 2025. University Singers will continue as the historic 'flagship' choir of the University. The 12-16 voice 'chamber' ensemble experience will focus on being a true collegiate repertory (conductor's recital) ensemble focused on providing rich choral-chamber experiences for our choral conductors.

UNIVERSITY SINGERS need to Email Dr. Eklund at pae@unl.edu and set up a time on or before Tuesday, Jan 21 (first day of classes) to sing the literature below:

CHAMBER SINGERS, please Email Dr. Eklund

All students in the two choirs will audition on the following three pieces:

1) Audition piece #1 "HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID"

Full Score for Soprano, Mezzo, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, and Bass

2) Audition piece #2 "Audition Song number2"

3) When Storms of Life (audition piece #3)

https://arts.unl.edu/music/ensembles/varsity-chorus

No audition!! Simply register for the ensemble (MUDC 343/MUEN 343/843). Attend the first rehearsal on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 3:30pm in Westbrook room 119. 

https://arts.unl.edu/music/ensembles/university-chorale

No audition!! Simply register for the ensemble (MUDC 346/MUEN 346/846). Attend the first rehearsal on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 3:30pm at St. Mark's on the Campus Episcopal Church (1309 R St, Lincoln, NE 68508).

https://arts.unl.edu/music/ensembles/all-collegiate-choir

No audition!! Simply register for the ensemble (MUDC 341/MUEN 341). Attend the first rehearsal on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 7pm in Westbrook room 130 (yes, the start time is different than in the past. If you have a minor conflict with this, please email Dr. Pete Eklund at pae@unl.edu. The overall role of All-Collegiate will grow a bit this academic year as it not only will have stand-alone opportunities, but it will also divide many rehearsals and contribute to the Chorale and Varsity concerts this year as we navigate through a year with reduced performance and rehearsal facilities.

https://arts.unl.edu/music/ensembles/jazz-singers

Audition Materials:

Jazz Singers Audition Download Jazz Singers Audition Info Spring 2025

Contact Dr. David von Kampen if there are additional questions.

https://arts.unl.edu/music/ensembles/big-red-singers

Auditions for the 2025 Spring Semester — Email Dr. Eklund at pae@unl.edu

Time and Place: Rehearsals are Sundays and Tuesdays at 7pm in Westbrook room 130

We are seeking

• Students who are willing to make a year-long commitment to this pre-determined student-friendly schedule of rehearsals/performances (Sunday and Tuesday evening rehearsals). Students who are capable and willing to participate in the total choral experience at Nebraska. Very strong consideration will be given to those who are enrolled in another curricular choral ensemble (can register for 0 credit and $0).
• Students who are eager to learn more about how show choir shows are run and perfected (those future teachers who will one day, run their own ensemble).
• Flexible individuals who can work as a team/ensemble.

Audition Expectations:

• Use this GoogleDoc (TBA audition registration) to complete requested pre-audition information. Additional questions, contact pae@unl.edu before your audition date.
• Prepare the piece of music below ("Nebraska Hymn" — there are learning tracks listed under the downloadable music below — it need not be memorized at the audition. You will vocally audition in assigned quartets of similar voicing (SA, TB, for example). During your assigned 10-minute time slot, quartets will sing through sections of "Nebraska Hymn" (sheet music posted below), be individually vocalized by an instructor, and asked a few interview-like questions. Music sight-reading might be requested.
• Be prepared to change into more comfortable clothing for the dance portion of the audition. You will be asked to learn and memorize a short secment of music and choreography from a passage from a piece of music to be performed in the fall show. Auditonees will not be judged during the learning portion of this process.After a healthy amount of repetitions both singing and dancing, groups of four (SATB) will be asked to sing and dance the music and choreography for the BRS Leadership Team. Multiple categories in both singing and dancing will be scored.
• Have your hair configured to represent the look you will recreate on stage for future performances.
• Please complete the form (above) and list any conflicts that you may have with either night, so that you may be scheduled accordingly. You may or may not get your preferred audition day depending on all preferences, so please be flexible.

Downloadable sheet music for "Nebraska Hymn"
 

To clarify:

• Vocal audition is formal, there will be time to change into dance attire

Mission of the ensemble:

• To prepare future performers for careers in performing and to audition well.
• To prepare tomorrow's music educators.
• To create a great environment for those desiring to continue their performing and enhance their performance skills.