Ensembles & Auditions


No formal audition necessary for Varsity Chorus, University Chorale, and All-Collegiate Choir. Register and see info below.

UNIVERSITY SINGERS & CHAMBER SINGERS will both be auditioning new singers for Fall 2024. The choral area does not prioritize one of these two ensembles over the other. 'USingers' will continue their historic role as the choral flagship organization of the School of Music — the 12-16 voice 'Chamber' ensemble experience will focus on being a true collegiate repertory (recital) ensemble focused on providing rich experiences for our choral conductors.

UNIVERSITY SINGERS & CHAMBER SINGERS auditions:

Westbrook Music Building, room 130
SUNDAY, August 25
  • Soprano – 1:00pm
  • Alto – 3:30pm
  • Bass – 7:00pm
MONDAY, August 26, room 119
  • Tenor – 1:30pm

Prior to your audition block, complete the online TBA Registration Form. You must be signed in using your UNL information to complete the form. The musical scores and rehearsal tracks will be available below in the middle of the summer. Please bring your own scores to the audition (either self-printed or on a tablet). There is no need to bring an accompanist.

If you are only interested in one ensemble, learn the two songs for that ensemble. If you are interested in either ensemble but can only participate in one, learn both songs for both ensembles. If you are interested in being a member of both ensembles, learn both songs for both ensembles.

Please direct all questions—no matter the ensemble—to Dr. Pete Eklund

All students in the two choirs will audition on the following two pieces:
1) Audition piece #1 TBA

Soprano & Alto

Score for Soprano & Alto

ALL PARTS Balanced Practice Audio

Soprano 1 Practice Audio

Soprano 2 Practice Audio

Alto 1 Practice Audio

Alto 2 Practice Audio

Tenor & Bass

Score for Tenor & Bass

ALL PARTS Balanced Practice Audio

Tenor 1 Practice Audio

Tenor 2 Practice Audio

Bass 1 Practice Audio

Bass 2 Practice Audio

2) When Storms of Life (audition piece #2)

Fall 2024 Audition Results

University Singers

TBD

Chamber Singers

TBD


VARSITY MEN'S CHORUS

https://arts.unl.edu/music/ensembles/varsity-chorus

No audition!! Simply register for the ensemble (MUDC 343/MUEN 343/843). Attend the first rehearsal on Monday, August 21, 2023 at 1:30pm in Westbrook room 119. VARSITY WILL BE A FEATURED PERFORMING ENSEMBLE ON THE 2023 NMEA STATE MUSIC CONVENTION.



UNIVERSITY CHORALE

https://arts.unl.edu/music/ensembles/university-chorale

No audition!! Simply register for the ensemble (MUDC 346/MUEN 346/846). Attend the first rehearsal on Monday, August 21, 2023 at 3:30pm at St. Mark's on the Campus Episcopal Church (1309 R St, Lincoln, NE 68508).3



ALL-COLLEGIATE CHOIR

https://arts.unl.edu/music/ensembles/all-collegiate-choir

No audition!! Simply register for the ensemble (MUDC 341/MUEN 341). Attend the first rehearsal on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 6:30pm in Westbrook room 130 (yes, the start time is different than in the past. If you have a minor conflict with this, please email both Casey Behm (cbehm2@huskers.unl.edu) and Dr. Rebecca Gruber (rgruber4@unl.edu). The overall role of All-Collegiate will grow a bit this academic year as it not only will have stand-alone opportunities, but it will also divide many rehearsals and contribute to the Chorale and Varsity concerts this year as we navigate through a year with reduced performance and rehearsal facilities.

For more information, contact both Casey Behm (cbehm2@huskers.unl.edu) and Dr. Rebecca Gruber (rgruber4@unl.edu)



JAZZ SINGERS

https://arts.unl.edu/music/ensembles/jazz-singers

 

Audition Materials:

Contact Dr. David von Kampen if there are additional questions.



BIG RED SINGERS

https://arts.unl.edu/music/ensembles/big-red-singers

Auditions for the 2024 Fall Semester:

Time and Place:
August 27, 5pm-10pm (Westbrook Music Bldg rmTBA then rm130)
  or August 28 (Westbrook Music Bldg rmTBA then rm130), 5pm-10pm (must be present at one, not both).

We are seeking

• Students who are willing to make a year-long commitment to this pre-determined student-friendly schedule of rehearsals/performances (Sunday and Tuesday evening rehearsals). Students who are capable and willing to participate in the total choral experience at Nebraska. Very strong consideration will be given to those who are enrolled in another curricular choral ensemble (can register for 0 credit and $0).

• Students who are eager to learn more about how show choir shows are run and perfected (those future teachers who will one day, run their own ensemble).

• Flexible individuals who can work as a team/ensemble.

Audition Expectations:

• Use this GoogleDoc (TBA audition registration) to complete requested pre-audition information. Additional questions, contact pae@unl.edu before your audition date.

• Prepare the piece of music below ("Nebraska Hymn" — there are learning tracks listed under the downloadable music below — it need not be memorized at the audition. You will vocally audition in assigned quartets of similar voicing (SA, TB, for example). During your assigned 10-minute time slot, quartets will sing through sections of "Nebraska Hymn" (sheet music posted below), be individually vocalized by an instructor, and asked a few interview-like questions. Music sight-reading might be requested.

• Be prepared to change into more comfortable clothing for the dance portion of the audition. You will be asked to learn and memorize a short secment of music and choreography from a passage from a piece of music to be performed in the fall show. Auditonees will not be judged during the learning portion of this process. After a healthy amount of repetitions both singing and dancing, groups of four (SATB) will be asked to sing and dance the music and choreography for the BRS Leadership Team. Multiple categories in both singing and dancing will be scored.

• Have your hair configured to represent the look you will recreate on stage for future performances.

• Please complete the form (above) and list any conflicts that you may have with either night, so that you may be scheduled accordingly. You may or may not get your preferred audition day depending on all preferences, so please be flexible.

Downloadable sheet music for "Nebraska Hymn")
——mp3 recording of all balanced parts

——mp3 recording of predominant soprano1 part
——mp3 recording of predominant soprano2 part


——mp3 recording of predominant alto1 part
——mp3 recording of predominant alto2 part

——mp3 recording of predominant tenor1 part
——mp3 recording of predominant tenor2 part

——mp3 recording of predominant bass1 part
——mp3 recording of predominant bass2 part

To clarify:

• Vocal audition is formal, there will be time to change into dance attire

Mission of the ensemble:

• To prepare future performers for careers in performing and to audition well.

• To prepare tomorrow's music educators.

• To create a great environment for those desiring to continue their performing and enhance their performance skills.

2024–2025 BRS LIST

(alphabetical by last name)–There were many, many great people who auditioned. If your name is not here, please keep singing in a UNL choral ensemble and audition again; many who have done that in the past have been accepted into this group on their next audition.

TBA