Choral Auditions

Any student who would like to be part of a choral ensemble this year is encouraged to audition in the fall. Sign up to be a part of the Concordia Christmas Concerts, shown in the video above. (Video recorded in 2021 when masking was required - masks no longer required.)

Our Choral Community

The Concordia Choral Department is dedicated to providing all students with an enriching singing experience rooted in musical excellence, passionate and spirited expression, a supportive and caring community, and respectful engagement with diverse musical traditions. All are welcome regardless of singing background or experience – there is a place for you in one of our three choral ensembles.

Kantorei

• First-year mixed ensemble (SATB)
• Rehearses M, W, F, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Section rehearsals on Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30-6:00 p.m.
• Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors are eligible for Kantorei if they are in an instrumental ensemble and have a musical conflict with Chapel Choir
• Conducted by Dr. Joseph Kemper

Chapel Choir

• Sophomore, junior, and senior mixed ensemble (SATB)
• Open to first-year students who are on instrumental scholarship and have an instrumental ensemble rehearsal that conflicts with Kantorei
• Rehearses M, T, W, Th, F, 5:00 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
• Tours regionally
• Conducted by Dr. Joseph Kemper

The Concordia Choir

• Concordia’s flagship choral ensemble
• Sophomore, junior, and senior mixed ensemble (SATB)
• Rehearses M, T, W, Th, F, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Tours regionally, nationally, and internationally
• Conducted by Dr. Michael Culloton

Joining Kantorei (First-year students)

Kantorei is open to all first-year students regardless of musical or singing background. Instead of an audition, students will be asked to meet Dr. Kemper and Dr. Culloton for a short seven (7) minute “check-in meeting.” To complete a “check-in meeting,” please do the following:

• Sign-up for a “check-in meeting” by clicking this link -or- scanning the QR code posted outside of Hvidsten 139 (Dr. Kemper’s office)
• Before attending your “check-in meeting" time, click here to complete a student info form – this should take 5-10 minutes to complete.
• Attend your “check-in meeting”
  • “Check-in meetings” will occur in Hvidsten 139 (Dr. Kemper’s office)
  • Please arrive at least five (5) minutes early 
  • What you’ll be doing during your audition:
    • Chatting to help us learn about who you are as a person
    • Vocalizing to help us learn about your voice and range
    • Sight-singing to help us learn about your note-reading background
    • Echoing a few melodies (4-6 notes) we play on the piano to learn about your ear
    • (Optionally) Singing a short 15-30 second excerpt (without accompaniment) of whatever you want that you feel best highlights your voice – memorization is not required and all styles of music are welcome.

Want to learn a bit about Kantorei before registering and completing a “check-in meeting?” Join us for one of our open rehearsals on August 23 (Wednesday), August 25 (Friday), or August 28 (Monday) from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. in Hvidsten 187 to experience in person what Kantorei is all about. Bring a friend!

Auditioning for Chapel Choir (Sophomore, Junior, and Senior students)

Chapel Choir is open by audition to sophomore, junior, and senior students. Prior participation in Kantorei is not required. First-year students will be eligible for Chapel Choir if they are on an instrumental scholarship and have a musical conflict with Kantorei. For your audition, you will meet with Dr. Kemper for a short seven (7) minute audition. To complete an audition, please do the following:

• Sign-up for an audition by clicking this link -or- scanning the QR code posted outside of Hvidsten 139 (Dr. Kemper’s office)
• Before attending your “check-in meeting" time, click here to complete a student info form – this should take 5-10 minutes to complete.
• Attend your audition
  • Auditions will occur in Hvidsten 139 (Dr. Kemper’s office)
  • Please arrive at least five (5) minutes early
  • What you’ll be doing during your audition:
    • Chatting to help us learn about who you are as a person
    • Vocalizing to help us learn about your voice and range
    • Sight-singing to help us learn about your note-reading background
    • Echoing a few melodies (4-6 notes) we play on the piano to learn about your ear
    • Singing a short 15-30 second excerpt (without accompaniment) of whatever you want that you feel best highlights your voice – memorization is not required and all genres are welcome.

Want to learn a bit about Chapel Choir before registering and completing an audition? Join us for one of our open rehearsals on August 23 (Wednesday), August 24 (Thursday), August 25 (Friday), or August 28 (Monday) from 5:00 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. in Hvidsten 187 to experience in person what Chapel Choir is all about. Bring a friend!

Auditioning for The Concordia Choir (Sophomore, Junior, and Senior students)

Auditions for The Concordia Choir take place annually in April for the following year. Transfer students and first-year students (rare) may be considered if openings arise over the summer or throughout the first semester based on their fall “check-in” appointments with Dr. Culloton and Dr. Kemper.

Vocal Jazz Ensembles

Auditions dates and times for Vocal Jazz will be posted in the Hvidsten Hall of Music during Orientation Week. Please prepare either the excerpt posted with the signup sheet or 12-16 bars of a different jazz standard. In addition, auditions will consist of repeating a melody, sight-reading, and a simple range check. Please email Staff Advisor Wyatt Steinke (wsteinke@cord.edu) for more information.