Choral


A choir holding music

Join KU Choirs

KU Choirs is an excellent opportunity to expand your musicianship, work on your singing, and meet new friends. All choirs are open to KU students, no matter the major. We hope you will consider being a part of the choral experience here at KU.

The choral ensemble experience at the University of Kansas is diversified and comprehensive — ranging from traditional to experimental, classical to jazz, and the intimate to the grandiose. Each of our six choirs has its own identity, and they all combine for special events such as the annual Holiday Vespers, and other major concerts with the KU Symphony Orchestra. 

If you are passionate about singing, then KU has a choir for you. Ensembles are open by choral placement to all students at the University, regardless of major. Whether you are an accomplished singer or someone seeking to develop and refine your vocal abilities, you will find a place in one of our choirs. KU choirs perform various concerts throughout the school year, and then combine with the Symphonic Orchestra for the Holiday Vespers in December and a major concert in the spring semester. In addition to performances in the fall and spring semesters, KU choral experiences expand to summers with international touring and entering competitions. 

The KU choirs enjoy an excellent national reputation, having made recent appearances at regional and national American Choral Directors’ Association conventions, performances on National Public Radio and Public Television, and recent tours to England (1998), France (1999), Hungary (2000), Brazil (2001), Australia (2002), the Eastern United States (2003), Colorado (2004), Los Angeles/San Diego (2005), Austria/Germany/Italy (2005), cities and towns in Kansas (2005), Dallas (2006), Chicago (2005 and 2006), England/Scotland (2007), Italy (2010), Costa Rica (2018), Irvine, CA (2019), and a featured participation of the KU Chamber Choir at the 27th Preveza International Choir Competition in Preveza, Greece in July of 2023, where the choir won first prize in the Mixed Choir Category, the first prize in the Free Program category, a special prize from the jury for the “Best Program” and a special prize of the jury to Dr. Eduardo García-Novelli for the “Best Conductor.” 

Join us! We would love to have you! 

Choral Placement Registration

The choral ensemble experience at the University of Kansas is diversified and comprehensive - ranging from traditional to experimental, classical to jazz, and the intimate to the grandiose. Each of our six choirs has its own identity, and they all combine for special events such as the annual Holiday Vespers, and other major concerts with the KU Symphony Orchestra. 

The University of Kansas offers M.M. and D.M.A. degrees in choral conducting, M.M.E. degrees in choral pedagogy and Ph.D. degrees in choral/vocal pedagogy. 

Membership in KU Choirs is open, by placement, to any KU student. 

There are six choirs in our program, each with its own purpose, tradition, and different levels of musical experience.

Choirs meet at various times throughout the week, allowing students to participate in a choir that fits their busy class schedules.


Opportunities for Community Members

Join the KU Symphonic Chorus for our Annual Holiday Vespers performances. Members of the community are encouraged to join our Monday evening rehearsals to sing some wonderful Holiday music with the KU Choir and Orchestra.  

If you are interested in joining this outstanding KU tradition, please fill out this form


Choral Placement Registration

Choral placements for the 2024 Spring Semester will be done on Monday, January 15th or via email appointment (mckennastenson@ku.edu & edugarno@ku.edu

What to expect:

  • Location: Choir Room, Murphy Hall, Room 328 or Murphy Hall 216 (check your Calendly time to confirm location) 
  • Your choir audition placement will last for 10 minutes and will include:
    • Brief introductions
    • Vocalizations
    • Tonal Memory Exercises
    • Sight Reading
    • Singing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” a cappella, pick the best key for your (music located on google form below)  
    • Rhythmic exercises (if time allows)      

Questions/Concerns

Please direct all questions and concerns to KU Choral Division to mckennastenson@ku.edu and edugarno@ku.edu.

Placement Results

Placement results for all choirs will be posted in August. 


Upcoming Events

Information for the 2024 Tenor Bass Choral/Vocal Workshop will be posted on August 1st.

Join us for a day of Tenor-Bass music learning, camaraderie, and fun. Students will experience voice building with KU Voice faculty specific to the Tenor/Bass voice, learn a new piece on site, sing side by side with members of the KU Glee Club, and sing a mini-concert at the end of the day in KU’s stunning Swarthout Recital Hall. To register your Tenor-Bass students, fill out the form below and submit it by Monday, October 9th at 11:59 pm. Student registration fee is $5.00 for the event and includes a pizza lunch and a t-shirt. 

The day will run approximately from 9:00 - 1:00 pm and is open to Tenor/Bass voices of all grades and ability levels. This will be a full and engaging learning day that will invigorate and inspire your low voices as they return to your school ensembles! Student registration fee is $5.00 for the event and includes a pizza lunch. 

Teachers: You can register your class/group here and will be contacted after registration for your students' names and voice parts. No preparation required to register, just sign up! 

Students attending individually / Students from Community Organizations: You can register yourself! 
All participation is $5 per-student for both events! 

Questions? Check out https://music.ku.edu/choral under “upcoming events” or reach out to the KU Choral Faculty. 

Information for the 2024 All State Prep Day will be posted on August 1st.

Join us for a day of All-State music learning, camaraderie, and fun. To register your choirs, fill out the form below and submit it by Monday, October 9th at 11:59 pm. Student registration fee is $5.00 for the event and includes a pizza lunch and a t-shirt. 

The schedule of events is outlined below: 
9:00 - 9:30 - Check In 
9:30 - 9:50 - Group Warm Up 
9:55 - 10:50 - Sectional Rehearsal 
11:00 11:30 - KU Mini Concert + Q&A 
11:30 - 12:00 - Lunch (Provided - Pizza) 
12:10 - 1:00 - Combined (TB/SA) Rehearsal 
1:10 - 2 pm - Full Group Rehearsal 
2 -3 pm - Optional Campus Tour 

Once you register, we will be in contact with additional details. 

Thank you, 

KU Choral Team 
Eduardo, McKenna, & Melissa

Teachers: You can register your class/group here and will be contacted after registration for your students' names and voice parts. No preparation required to register, just sign up! 

Students attending individually / Students from Community Organizations: You can register yourself! 
All participation is $5 per-student for both events! 

Questions? Check out https://music.ku.edu/choral under “upcoming events” or reach out to the KU Choral Faculty.