Choral Ensembles
We have a choir for every student
Our mission is to offer every singer an inspiring musical experience in a variety of ways. Our choirs provide the opportunity to prepare diverse literature, enhancing individuals’ ability in singing, listening, and the application of related music skills. All UW–Madison choirs focus on our ability to make great music together, establish meaningful relationships, build community, and advance our treatment of other human beings. Our program boasts several ensembles that differ by size, skill level, and repertoire, and provides opportunities for students of all levels of ability to study and perform outstanding choral music from all historical periods and from a variety of cultures.
Our choirs are comprised of undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines across campus. Ensembles are open by audition to all students at the university, regardless of major. Whether you are an accomplished singer or someone seeking to develop and refine your vocal abilities, you will find a place in one of our choirs.
Our audition is very informal, and you can click here to watch a video of our audition process. We also offer a non-audition choir–University Chorus–for students who prefer to skip the audition.
Interested in joining our choirs and need more information? Fill out our inquiry form and we’ll follow up with you directly.
For more information about our choirs, contact Director of Choral Activities Dr. Mariana Farah at mariana.farah@wisc.edu.
Dr. Mariana Farah, conductor
Rehearsal Schedule: Monday 3:30 pm–5 pm; Tuesday and Thursday 2:30 pm-4 pm
Course Number: Undergraduate 660-50; Graduate 660-578. 1 credit.
Prerequisites: Placement audition.
Description: Concert Choir is the premier choral ensemble at the School of Music. This advanced-level flagship group performs works that span the entire breadth of the choral literary tradition and requires an advanced level of musicianship and ensemble skills from its members. The ensemble is proud to have been selected to perform at the 2022 Wisconsin Music Educators Association Convention and at the 2025 National American Choral Directors Association Convention. This ensemble joins the UW–Madison Symphony Orchestra for performance of major choral orchestral works every year at the Hamel Music Center.
Open to All Majors (Y/N): Yes, any UW–Madison student wishing to be considered for placement in Concert Choir may audition, regardless of degree path.
Dr. Bert Pinsonneault, conductor
Rehearsal Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 12 pm–1 pm
Course Number: Undergraduate 660-56; Graduate 660-577. 1 credit.
Prerequisites: UW–Madison student. Placement audition.
Description: Chorale is an auditioned choir that provides guided conducting opportunities for graduate choral conductors at the School of Music. The mixed ensemble is comprised of graduate and undergraduate students in music, and students in other disciplines across campus. The choir explores a wide variety of repertoire and focuses on helping graduate choral conductors further their skills in rehearsals and performances. In addition to a robust performance schedule throughout the year, Chorale may also join Concert Choir and the UW–Madison Symphony Orchestra for performances of major choral orchestral works at the Hamel Music Center.
Open to All Majors (Y/N): Yes, any UW–Madison student wishing to be considered for placement in Chorale may audition, regardless of degree path.
Graduate students, conductors
Dr. Mariana Farah, faculty supervisor
Rehearsal Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 1:20 pm–2:10 pm
Course Number: 660-52. 1 credit.
Prerequisites: Placement audition.
Description: Treble Choir is the premier soprano and alto choral ensemble at the School of Music. It is a select ensemble of undergraduate singers who specialize in the performance of a wide variety of music for treble voices. Members of the ensemble come from diverse backgrounds, including musicians from the School of Music and academic disciplines campus-wide. Under the direction of Dr. Farah, the ensemble will rehearse and perform a wealth of both historical and contemporary literature for soprano and alto voices. Members of the Treble Choir may also join the UW–Madison Symphony Orchestra for a performance of major choral orchestral works at the Hamel Music Center.
Open to All Majors (Y/N): Yes, any UW–Madison student wishing to be considered for placement in Treble Choir may audition, regardless of degree path.
Graduate student, conductor
Dr. Mariana Farah, faculty supervisor
Rehearsal Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 2:25 pm–3:15 pm
Course Number: 660-59. 1 credit.
Prerequisites: No audition required and no instructor approval needed. Students interested in joining University Chorus may enroll for Music 59 at time of registration.
Description: University Chorus is the non-audition SATB choir at the School of Music. The ensemble welcomes students from all majors and disciplines and performs music from a diverse range of composers, time periods, and genres. The group also provides students with the opportunity to develop their sight-reading and vocal skills. University Chorus does not fulfill requirements for major ensemble participation.
Audition Information: No audition required.
Open to All Majors (Y/N): Yes, any UW–Madison student wishing to be considered for placement in University Chorus may enroll, regardless of degree path.
Auditions
If you encounter any issues with your audition sign up, please email Dann Petersen at meo@music.wisc.edu and/or Dr. Mariana Farah at mariana.farah@wisc.edu. We will make sure everyone has a chance to audition.
Choral auditions for the fall will take place August 27- August 29, 2026. Students who are moving in to their dorms after August 29 may request to audition on the afternoon of August 31.
All music majors and double majors must audition for choir every year regardless of their area of specialization. No music major will be allowed to register for choir without an audition.
Choral auditions for the fall will be held August 27- August 29, 2026. The deadline to register is one week prior to the audition date.
All music majors and double majors must audition for choir every year regardless of their area of specialization. No music major will be allowed to register for choir without an audition.
Concert Choir requires a high level of sight-reading ability and participation. Students who wish to audition for Concert Choir should work on their sight-reading skills before their audition date.
During auditions, the choral faculty will help students adjust their schedules so they can join their assigned choirs.
Audition Assessment
Please arrive five minutes prior to your scheduled time. You will be welcomed by the choral faculty who will review your information with you.
Make sure you have your class schedule with you.
The choral faculty will help with your choir registration after your placement. Choir auditions will last approximately seven minutes and will consist of:
- Vocalization (warm-ups)
- Pitch-matching
- Sight-reading
- Singing one verse of “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee”
- You can use one of the three MP3 accompaniment recordings of My Country Tis of Thee for your practice and audition. Select the key that best works for you: F, G, or Ab (audio files of piano accompaniment are available on Knack).
Highlights
Faculty
Graduate Studies
Led by Dr. Mariana Farah and Bert Pinsonneault, the graduate choral conducting program at UW–Madison offers comprehensive studies in choral conducting, literature, and pedagogy, and prepares students for the challenges of professional life in choral music.
Our select graduate choral conducting program gives individual attention to each student with small conducting seminars, intensive choral literature courses, and a large amount of podium time. Graduate students sing and assist with Concert Choir and Chorale and co-conduct our large auditioned Treble Choir and our non-auditioned mixed group, University Chorus. In addition, all graduate conductors receive training and are involved in the preparation of major choral orchestral works performed annually with the UW–Madison Symphony Orchestra.
At UW–Madison, choral conducting students benefit from invaluable learning experiences with renowned choral leaders from across the country through annual workshops and masterclasses led by distinguished visiting artists.
Teaching Assistantships and Fellowships are available to MM and DMA students on a competitive basis.