Singers in the auditioned choirs, DePauw Chamber Singers (SATB) and Vox Animae (SSAA), study advanced repertoire from a wide variety of styles and eras. The groups typically sing in all major choir concerts and galas of the school and also appear at special performances on and off campus. Both choirs include about 16–24 singers each, membership requires an audition but is open to any students at DePauw regardless of major. Auditions are held at the beginning of each semester for new members, both groups rehearse three times a week for 50 minutes.
Singers of both groups also regularly participate in choir tours. Recent trips have brought students to different corners of the world: In March 2022, students participated in a residency with the Urban Voices Project, an organization in Los Angeles that brings music to the homeless community in the Skid Row neighborhood. In January 2020, the choirs traveled to the Netherlands and Germany and performed in beautiful Cathedrals with local college choirs. And in January 2018, students explored the rich culture of South Africa and learned (and danced — because singing in South Africa always includes dancing) many traditional songs that locals shared with them.
Auditions
Dates for Fall 2024 (all in GCPA 0112):
- Monday, Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, Aug 20 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Thursday, Aug 22 from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 23 from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Please sign up for an audition time online to audition for Chamber Singers or Vox Animae (make sure to scroll to the respective day in your calendar to find the available time slots) and arrive about 5 min early to fill out a form that you will find in front of my office.
To audition, please prepare 30–60 seconds from a piece of your choice that you think best represents your voice. You will perform this piece unaccompanied. It may be of any style or genre. The director will then lead you through brief vocal warm-ups, ear training and sight-reading exercises.
For music majors who plan to take choir to fulfill their large ensemble requirements: Please audition either on Aug. 19 or Aug. 20 (do not audition on Aug. 23 & 26). You can indicate your preferred ensemble but will be assigned to one of the two groups based on your audition and needs of the ensembles.
If you have any questions or would like to audition but none of the time slots work for you, please contact Prof. Black at bryonblack@depauw.edu.
Recent repertoire
Chamber Singers:
- Le Ballet des Ombres — Hector Berlioz
- Geistliches Lied — Johannes Brahms
- Ballade to the Moon — Daniel Elder
- Great God Almighty — Stacey Gibbs
- I Need You — Daniel Bernard Roumain
- To the Hands — Caroline Shaw
Vox Animae:
- Cosmosis — Susan Botti
- Les Sirènes — Lili Boulanger
- It isn’t a dream — Melissa Dunphy
- Moon Goddess — Jocelyn Hagen
- Light of a Clear Blue Morning — Dolly Parton (arr. Johnson)
- Still I Rise — Rosephanye Powell