4 Vocal Ensembles

Vocal Ensembles

The Voice-Choral Area at the NDSU Challey School of Music is committed to providing exceptional aesthetic opportunities for students to develop and grow as musicians. Ensemble participation is an integral part of the educational process for all musicians and is required in all music degrees. We also believe that building community through ensemble participation creates a lasting bond between the conductor, singers, and the entire CSoM.

  • Students register for ensembles based on auditions and voice-choral faculty recommendations.
  • Degree program determines, in part, which ensembles are most appropriate.
  • Students should discuss ensemble participation with their advisor.
  • For vocal health, no more than two ensembles per semester is recommended.

Ensemble Requirements by Degree

  • BM in Vocal Music Education:

    • 7 semesters in a major vocal ensemble
    • 2 semesters in a minor ensemble

  • BM in Vocal Performance:

    • 8 semesters in a major vocal ensemble
    • 4 semesters in a minor ensemble

  • BA/BS in Music:

    • 6 semesters in a major vocal ensemble

Note: Students receiving music scholarships are required to participate in an ensemble every semester, in consultation with their advisor.

Ensemble Descriptions

Cantemus — MUSC 116 (1 credit)

  • Directed by Dr. Charlette Moe
  • SA choir of ~50 members
  • Focuses on music by women composers and for women's voices
  • Non-auditioned, open to the wider campus
  • Rehearses Tu/Th 3:30–4:45 p.m.
  • Collaborates with The Statesmen and hosts an Annual Treble Voice Choir Festival in February
  • Contact: Dr. Charlette Moe

Concert Choir — MUSC 306 (1 credit)

  • Directed by Dr. Jo Ann Miller
  • 60-voice auditioned choir open to all majors
  • Performs at local, regional, and national conferences
  • Rehearses:
    • M/W/F 12:00–12:50 p.m.
    • T/Th 12:30–1:45 p.m.
  • Events include:
    • Fall Choral Concert
    • Handel’s Messiah
    • Regional spring tour
    • Biennial Fargo Moorhead Symphony performance
    • Overseas tour every three years
  • Contact: Dr. Jo Ann Miller

Madrigal Singers — MUSC 317 (1 credit)

  • Directed by Dr. Michael Weber
  • Auditioned chamber ensemble selected from Concert Choir
  • Performs music from the Renaissance to the 21st century
  • Participates in:
    • Annual Madrigal Dinners
    • NDSU celebrations
    • Spring tours (with and without Concert Choir)
  • Performed at 2020 ND ACDA Conference
  • Contact: Dr. Michael Weber

NDSU Opera — MUSC 309 (1 credit)

  • Directed by Dr. Kelly Burns
  • Fully staged operas and scenes, with orchestra or piano
  • Performs in:
    • Festival Concert Hall (mainstage)
    • Beckwith Recital Hall (opera scenes)
  • Recent productions include:
    • Giulio Cesare, The Marriage of Figaro, L’enfant et les sortilèges
    • A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Albert Herring, Gianni Schicchi
    • Patience, HMS Pinafore, Dido and Aeneas, Venus and Adonis
  • Rehearses M/W/F 3:00–4:50 p.m.
  • Contact: Dr. Kelly Burns

Statesmen — MUSC 117 (1 credit)

  • Directed by Dr. Michael Weber
  • Non-auditioned TBB choir open to all majors
  • Rehearses Tu/Th 3:30–4:45 p.m.
  • Performs twice per semester
  • Represented NDSU at 2009 and 2015 NDMEA conventions
  • Contact: Dr. Michael Weber

University Chamber Singers — MUSC 215 (1 credit)

  • Directed by Dr. Charlette Moe
  • Mixed auditioned choir (~35 members)
  • Open to students from all disciplines and years
  • Rehearses M/W/F 11:00–11:50 a.m.
  • Performs:
    • Two concerts per semester
    • Annual Madrigal Dinners
    • Events such as 2018 ND ACDA and 2014 Kodály Honor Choir Festival
  • Contact: Dr. Charlette Moe

Vocal Chamber Ensemble — MUSC 320 (1 credit)

  • Ensemble designed for graduate choral conductors
  • Rehearsal times vary by semester
  • Not offered every semester
  • Students must speak to their advisor before registering