Choirs

Director of Choral Activities, Associate Professor Angela Kasper

Choral Conductor, Professor Tim Fitzpatrick

There are performing opportunities for everyone – music majors and non-majors alike – in Western’s choral program. Students can join University Choir without an audition! 


Ensemble auditions for Advanced Treble Chorale and Concert Choir will take place each year before the academic year begins in September. Students can join University Choir without an audition!


Visit our Ensemble Auditions page for more information regarding requirements, deadlines, and how to submit an audition.

Auditioned Choirs

Advanced Treble Chorale

Soprano · Alto

The Advanced Treble Chorale is an auditioned large ensemble that performs music from around the world, music representing historically resilient populations, and music from the large body of published music readily available for treble voices. This choir consists of music majors and non-majors who are looking for an enriching choral experience that centers community, inclusion, varied vocal styles, and energetic music making. All WWU students are welcome and encouraged to audition!.

Concert Choir

Soprano · Alto · Tenor · Bass

Concert Choir is a large mixed select ensemble committed to the artful expression, production, and performance of diverse choral works in an environment that is inclusive, supportive, safe, and enriching to its singers and the communities it serves. We welcome singers who are music majors and non-majors. All WWU students are welcome and encouraged to audition.

Western Voices

Soprano · Alto · Tenor · Bass

Western Voices is a mixed, 16-voice voice select ensemble dedicated to developing high levels of musicianship and beautiful choral singing in a supportive, talented community. Repertoire includes music of any style that is suitable for smaller chamber ensemble. This choir is offered during the fall quarter only and is open to choristers already participating in another WWU choir. All students receive a scholarship for membership in Western Voices.

Non-Auditioned Choirs

University Choir

Soprano · Alto · Tenor · Bass

University Choir is a campus-wide ensemble open to all students without an audition! This vibrant community includes music majors and non-majors who love to sing and thrive on the sense of community that happens in a large, inclusive choir. The University Choir sings music from around the world, music representing historically resilient populations, and music from the large body of published music readily available for mixed choirs. Students may enroll in this ensemble any quarter while at WWU. Credits are repeatable and may be used toward electives and total graduation requirements.

Registration

All choral students must register for an ensemble in order to participate. Registration for auditioned ensembles happens after audition results are posted in September. Students wishing to participate in University Choir may register at any time through Web4U.

Credits

Each choral course is repeatable, and credits can be used toward graduation requirements. 

Tours and Performance Opportunities

Students in our choral program have numerous opportunities for personal and musical growth through performance opportunities, regional tours, and travel abroad.

International and Regional Tours

The Advanced Treble Chorale and Concert Choir perform internationally during tours to Europe and South America. Past destinations include Estonia, Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Argentina, and Uruguay.
 
Western’s choirs have been selected numerous times to perform at regional conferences of the American Choral Directors Association. These conference performances are part of regional tours that include performances at high schools and other venues throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Performance Opportunities

All of Western’s choirs present a major campus concert each quarter in our university’s Performing Arts Center Concert Hall. The Concert Choir and Advanced Treble Chorale participate in a concert each November at a beautiful downtown Bellingham church. Collaborations are common as the choirs often join our university orchestra or the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra to perform major works. All choristers participate in annual high school festivals held on our campus that welcome hundreds of area choristers. No matter what your performance preference, the Western choirs provide opportunities for you to showcase your talents!

Looking for more information?

If you have any questions, we're happy to find you an answer. Call the Music Department Office 360-650-3130, or view the directory of faculty and staff.