Join Our Choirs

Our Choirs are open to anyone! Audition Information for Music Majors, as well as Non-Music Majors or Instrumental Music Majors is below. We are excited for you to join our choirs!

Non-Music Majors or Instrumental Music Majors

We at Sam Houston believe that there is a place for both non-music majors and instrumental music majors to sing. Therefore, if you are interested in singing in a choir at SHSU, please do not hesitate to sign up. You have two options:

  1. If you are interested in the SHSU Chorale, or you’d like to try out for all of our choirs and be placed in the ensemble that suits your abilities and interests, then go here and follow the steps to sign up for an audition time.
  2. If you just want to sing in either our Treble or Tenor-Bass Choirs, follow these steps:
    • Register for your desired ensemble, either:
      • Belles Voix Treble Choir: MUEN 1111-02 and MUEN 3111-02 
      • Musikanten Tenor-Bass Choir: MUEN 1111-03 and MUEN 3111-03 
    • Come to the first class period (Monday, August 26th between 2:00pm and 3:20pm). At that time the professor will have you sing a little, and maybe do some light sight-reading and tonal memory.

* If you are interested in auditioning for Chorale, our top ensemble, follow the directions for “Vocal Music Majors” below. Those who are doing the audition process listed below do not need to come to the first class period.

Vocal Music Majors and those interested in auditioning for Chorale

As a vocal music major at Sam Houston State University, you will audition at the beginning of the fall semester for ensemble placement. The results of your audition, as determined by the Director of Choral Activities and in consultation with the voice and choral faculty, will determine your ensemble placement. You will be placed into either SHSU Chorale, Musikanten Tenor-Bass Choir, or Belles Voix Treble Choir. It is the expectation that all vocal majors continuously strive to be admitted to the top choir. Here are the steps to audition for ensemble placement as a Vocal Music Major or if you are not a vocal major but are interested in auditioning for Chorale.

  1. Sign up for an audition time here.
  2. Fill out the Audition Information Form here.
  3. Come to your live audition in the Choir Room of the Music Building (MB 202) at the time you signed up for.

Audition Materials

  • Prepare a solo song in the classical tradition (no pop, musical theater, etc.), with accompaniment.
  • Bring one copy of your music for your accompanist. We will provide the accompanist.
  • You will also be asked to sight-read and vocalize some.

Callbacks

Candidates for Chorale will be required to attend callbacks. Callbacks will occur on the following days:

Sunday, August 25, 2022, between 1:00pm and 5:00pm, and

Monday, August 26, 2022, between 1:00pm and 2:00pm, and between 3:30pm and 6:30pm.

General Information

Audition Results

Audition results will be sent via email by Monday evening, 8/26/2024, with the first rehearsals for Belles Voix and Musikanten on Wednesday, 08/28/2024. Chorale's first meeting will be Tuesday, 08/27/2023. Be aware that depending on which group you make it into, you may need to change your class schedule.

Attire

All members of the choral program will need to purchase the appropriate designated performance attire; more information will be provided at the first rehearsal.

Choirs and Rehearsal Times

Chorale - MWF, 1:00-1:50; TR, 12:30-1:50. MUEN 1111/3111, Section 1

Belles Voix Treble Choir - MWF, 2:00-3:20. MUEN 1111/3111, Section 2

Musikanten Tenor-Bass Choir - MWF, 2:00-3:20. MUEN 1111/3111, Section 3

Choral Faculty

Dr. Joshua Bronfman, Director of Choral Activities, Chorale

Dr. Sandy Hinkley, Associate Director of Choral Activities, Musikanten Tenor-Bass Choir

Clay West, Adjunct Professor, Belles Voix Treble Choir

 

If you have any questions about auditions, email Dr. Joshua Bronfman at joshua.bronfman@shsu.edu