Sing at OSU
Auditions for choir placement and voice teacher assignment are held on Sept 23-24, just prior to the beginning of Fall term. We encourage the students to prepare a song of their choice for performance. An accompanist will be provided. In addition, we will have an opportunity for you to display sight-reading and musicianship. Read about the auditions and sign up for an audition time here.
All students are welcome to join a choral ensemble. Voice lessons, however, are for students who have declared a music major or minor. If you are interested in declaring a music major or minor, contact Kristin Rorrer at [email protected].
The OSU choral and vocal program has developed an excellent reputation on a national level through the success of our alumni – who are teaching music in schools throughout the Pacific Northwest and across the country at all levels from elementary music through higher education. Graduates have gone on to study at prominent programs for music education, conducting, and vocal performance across the nation such as the University of Southern California, Louisiana State University, Michigan State University, Manhattan School of Music, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the University of Texas, and more.
The long tradition of excellence in singing at OSU continues to enhance the university experience for so many students. With each new school year, the award-winning OSU choirs present a season of singing second to none, including international music tours, invitations to national and international conferences, and exciting new music by some of our country’s most exciting composers. At Oregon State there is a choir for every singer with every level of vocal ability and the opportunity to work with expert faculty who offer a wealth of experience. If you want to sing, we have a place for you!
OSU CHAMBER CHOIR
Dr. Steven Zielke, director
The Oregon State University Chamber Choir is the premier choral ensemble on campus. The mixed auditioned choir comprises approximately 40-50 students and performs innovative and ambitious choral repertoire from all periods and traditions, representing a diverse group of composers.
Traditionally, the OSU Chamber Choir performs each term and tours regionally or internationally every spring. Recent tours have included Europe, Hawaii, Canada, China and New York -- where Chamber Choir, Bella Voce and the OSU Meistersingers performed in Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. In June of 2023 Chamber Choir returned to Europe to give concerts in Austria, Germany and Czech Republic. In addition, the OSU Chamber Choir has performed at state, regional, and national conferences, including the National Association for Music Education national conference, the National Collegiate Choral Association, and three invited performances at the Northwest region of the American Choral Directors Conference. Watch this performance of Bruckner’s “Os justi” in Salzburg, Austria from their 2023 tour.
Membership by audition. Full-year commitment is expected. Exceptions may be made for returning members planning off-campus internships and international study abroad programs.
MUS 140 | MUS 340 | MUS 540 Rehearsals: M/W 12:00-1:50 & T/Th 1:00-1:50p | Sign up for auditions
BELLA VOCE
Dr. Sandra Babb, director
Bella Voce is the premier Treble Choir at Oregon State University, made up of undergraduate students studying a variety of degree programs at OSU. Primary goals of Bella Voce are: to provide opportunities for treble singers to engage with a wide range of choral repertoire; to generate opportunities for choral music education majors to lead and conduct; and to champion composers from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, including women and BIPOC composers.
Bella Voce has toured throughout the United States, Canada, Hawaii, Finland, Denmark, Estonia and Brazil. They have also performed for conferences of the Oregon Music Educators Association, the Northwest Divisions of NAfME and ACDA, and the International Society for Music Education.
In 2021, Bella Voce sang for the nation as they presented their invited performance for the American Choral Directors Association virtual conference. This prestigious invitation brought national attention to this ensemble, propelling them as a leader in collegiate treble singing. Watch the performance.
MUS 146 MUS 346. MUS 546. Rehearsals: T/TH 4:00-5:50p. Sign up for an audition.
OSU MEISTERSINGERS
Dr. Steven Zielke, director
The Oregon State University Meistersingers are an auditioned Tenor/Bass Choir with traditionally between 50-60 members. Founded in 1999 by the current director, this ensemble has been an often-featured group at university events and annually performs the national anthem at the OSU Homecoming football game in Reser Stadium.
This auditioned ensemble, consisting of music majors as well as students from other majors across campus, traditionally performs each term, and frequently entertains at community, university, and sporting events. Meistersingers has toured the northwest, Canada, New York, and Hawaii. They have performed at numerous state and regional music conferences, most recently having been invited to perform at the Northwest American Choral Directors Association Conference in March, 2018. In 2021, they recorded a new version of “Soon the Wellerman Come”, arranged and produced by Meistersinger alumni, Jens Lovtang. You can hear this arrangement here.
Rehearsals: T/Th 2:00 - 3:50pm. Membership is by audition. Register for one of the following:
MUS 147 | MUS 347 | MUS 547 Rehearsals: T/TH 2:00 - 3:50 | Sign up for auditions
UNIVERSITY CHORALE
Dr. Sandra Babb, director
The University Chorale, a mixed SATB chorus, requires no audition and is open to students, faculty, staff and community members. The choir performs each term, providing a laboratory for choral conducting students who share conducting duties. The conducting students work under the guidance of Dr. Sandra Babb. This ensemble is ideal for those students, university staff, and community members who are interested in a lower commitment ensemble, but wish for weekly rehearsals in a friendly and enjoyable environment.
No audition required. Register for one of the following:
MUS 199 | MUS 399 | MUS 599 | Rehearsals: TR 1:00-1:50
Non-credit and Community members register here.