Choral
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!
If you are passionate about singing, then KU has a choir for you. Ensembles are open by audition 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 also boasts a Summer Chorus that provides an opportunity for additional performances in the summer months.
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) and Irvine, CA (2019).
There are seven 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:
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 seven 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.
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!
If you are passionate about singing, then KU has a choir for you. Ensembles are open by audition 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 also boasts a Summer Chorus that provides an opportunity for additional performances in the summer months.
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) and Irvine, CA (2019).
There are seven 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:
Reahearsal Time
MWF 9:00 - 9:50 a.m.
Rehearsal Location
Murphy Hall, Room 328
Conductor
Michael Bauer | mbauer@ku.edu
Description
Bales Chorale is an ensemble of 25-30 singers specializing in the performance of sacred choral literature with emphasis on choral works with organ. Bales Chorale is led by graduate students enrolled in the Doctor of Musical Arts degree program in church music. All Bales Chorale performances are presented in the Bales Organ Recital Hall.
Rehearsal Time
MWF 1:00 - 2:50 p.m.
Rehearsal Location
Murphy Hall, Room 328
Conductor
Mariana Farah | mfarah@ku.edu
Description
Concert Choir is the largest select mixed choral ensemble at KU, and is comprised of up to 70 singers. This ensemble performs works that span the entire breadth of the choral literary tradition and requires an advanced level of musicianship and ensemble skills from its members. The Concert Choir typically performs literature for larger ensembles, at times featuring music for double-chorus. Members of this ensemble also belong to the Symphonic Chorus.
Rehearsal Time
TR 3:00 - 4:20 p.m.
Rehearsal Location
Murphy Hall, Room 328
Conductors
Josh Donaldson and Ryan Welker.
Description
As the oldest continuous choral ensemble at KU, the Glee Club is KU’s Tenor/Bass choral ensemble. The group performs a wide variety of choral repertoire, ranging from standard classical literature to KU fight songs. The Glee Club performs regularly for events on campus and for special engagements off campus. Most recently, the group performed the National Anthem at the Royal’s game in Kansas City and at various KU Men’s Basketball games. The members of the Glee Club also belong to the Symphonic Chorus.
Rehearsal Time
MWF 10:00 - 10:50 a.m.
Rehearsal Location
Murphy Hall, Room 328
Conductor
Melissa Grady | mlgrady@ku.edu
Description
University Singers is one of KU’s mixed chorus of undergraduate voices that performs a variety of choral literature while concentrating on basic ensemble and musicianship skills. Members of University Singers also perform with the Symphonic Chorus.
Rehearsal Time
MWF 11:00 - 11:50 a.m.
Rehearsal Location
Murphy Hall, Room 328
Conductor
Mariana Farah | mfarah@ku.edu
DescriptionThe KU Treble Choir is a select ensemble of undergraduate singers who specialize in the performance of a wide variety of music for treble voices. Under the direction of Dr. Mariana Farah, the ensemble has been selected to perform at the Kansas Music Educators Association Convention and for the Southwestern Division of the American Choral Directors Association. The members of the Treble Choir also participate in the Symphonic Chorus.
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. Rehearsals will take place on Mondays, November 16, 23, and 30 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., in Murphy 328. Dress rehearsal: December 3, from 6-10 p.m. at the Lied Center. KU Vespers Holiday Concert: December 6, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Lied Center.
Our choral department is led by very talented faculty, Dr. Mariana Farah, and a team of Graduate Teaching Assistants. It is our mission to see everyone who sings with us grow in their musicianship as singers and collaborators with other musicians. Join us! You'll be glad you did.
Choral Placement Registration
To join us for the 2020-2021 season please visit the Choral Placements page.
In addition to the official choral ensembles at KU, several other student-led ensembles exist. These ensembles provide opportunities for students to perform various styles of music. There is a Gospel Choir, Jewish Choir, as well as Vocal Jazz ensembles. We invite you to become part of the great choral tradition at KU!
Questions/Concerns
Please direct all questions and concerns to KU Choral Division at mfarah@ku.edu
We hope you consider joining us this season!