St. Joseph Community Chorus
The St. Joseph Community Chorus was founded in 1980 and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The Chorus presents interesting, challenging, and diverse programs of choral music from classical to contemporary throughout the Midwestern United States. This ensemble is the largest all-volunteer performing organization in Northwest Missouri and enjoys a rich history of outstanding choral performances in many beautiful settings. The chorus is a significant musical ensemble helping to bring the college and community together in an artistically meaningful way.
About our Program:
Choral Studies and Participation at Missouri Western offers a wide variety of choral and performance opportunities. Auditions for ensemble participation are held each fall for the academic year. Scholarships are available for those who apply. Check out our Scholarship Application page for audition dates for incoming freshmen and for more information.
International Touring: Anyone in the Missouri Western choral program can join one of our overseas choir tours, which occur every three years. In May 2017, the choir enjoyed eight days in Ireland, performing in historic venues and experiencing Irish culture.
Concert Chorale
The Concert Chorale is a non-audition ensemble made up of students from across campus — those majoring or minoring in music as well as non-music degrees. This ensemble enjoys performing challenging repertoire in a fun, high-energy environment. The Concert Chorale performs for University events and three public concerts per year, including the annual Missouri Western High School Honor Choir. Recent concerts include Mendelssohn’s Elijah at the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, Mozart’s Requiem with the Saint Joseph Symphony Orchestra, and Faure’s Requiem with the Missouri Western State University Orchestra.
Chamber Singers
The Chamber Singers is the University’s top vocal auditioned ensemble made up of the finest voices in our region. They recently performed at the Missouri Music Educators Association’s 80th Annual Conference and In-Service. This ensemble performs several times per year and serves as the department’s major touring choral ensemble. Interested in auditioning? Register for Concert Chorale (MUS 338), and you will receive an email during the first week of August with an audition packet. Auditions take place on the Sunday afternoon before the first day of fall classes on the campus of Missouri Western.
Light Opera/Musical Theatre Workshop
Providing workshops in staged music each spring semester, the MUS 342 course is available by audition to all Missouri Western students, singer and non-singer alike. Past works have included full productions of Menotti’s The Medium, The Telephone, Barber’s Hand of Bridge and scenes from Sondheim’s Into the Woods.