Department of Music
Solo Performance and Choral Ensembles
To inquire about membership in any of the choral groups at SWOSU, please contact Dr. Daniel Farris, at daniel.farris@swosu.eduor (580)774-3208.
There are five choirs in the SWOSU music department, and two conductors:
- Men’s Chorus, conducted by Dr. Daniel Farris
- Women’s Chorus, conducted by Ms. Joyce Adams Curtis
- Chamber Choir, conducted by Ms. Joyce Adams Curtis
- Weatherford Community Chorus, conducted by Dr. Daniel Farris.
- Southwestern Singers, conducted by Dr. Daniel Farris
All choirs are open to all students, but membership in Southwestern Singers or Chamber Choir requires an audition. Music majors must participate in the fall audition process.
WHEN DO I AUDITION FOR SW SINGERS AND CHAMBER CHOIR?
Auditions for the Southwestern Singers and Chamber Choir are held during the first three days of classes in the fall, but also may be scheduled at the end of November for the spring semester or in April for the following fall semester. There is a Facebook page: “SWOSU Vocal/Choral” that has the most current information.
WHAT DO I PREPARE FOR A CHORAL AUDITION?
No solo piece is required, just bring your healthy voice and come to sing!
WHAT WILL I DO IN THE AUDITION?
The audition consists of vocalizing to hear the singer’s natural, comfortable range; reading through a choral score to see how quickly the singer can learn his/her part; and finally, singing pitches from memory based on a series of notes given by the piano.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE AUDITION?
Based on the audition and the particular needs of the ensemble, the rosters of the Chamber Choir and Southwestern Singers will be posted.
WHO ARE SWOSU CHOIRS?
The choral organizations of Southwestern Oklahoma State University have demonstrated continuous success at state conventions in the past ten years. The Women’s Chorus has performed at the Oklahoma Music Educators Association convention three times in the past ten years, as pictured below at the annual conference of the Oklahoma Music Educators Association at the Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa. The SWOSU Chamber Choir performed at the OMEA convention in 2011. The choirs tour various parts of Oklahoma every year. Southwestern Singers has sung at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., appeared at the Southwestern Division conference of the American Choral Directors Association, and at the OMEA Conference. Dr. Farris, the vocal area coordinator, conducts Southwestern Singers. The rehearsals are MWF from 1:00 – 1:50pm.
WHAT ABOUT JOINING THE OTHER CHOIRS?
The Men’s and Women’s Choruses do not require an audition, but a vocal placement hearing is helpful before the first rehearsal. Contact Dr. Farris for Men’s Chorus, and Ms. Joyce Adams Curtis for Women’s Chorus (joyce.curtis@swosu.edu). The Men’s and Women’s Choruses both meet on Tuesday/Thursday from 1:00-1:50pm.
The Women’s Chorus has performed for the Oklahoma Music Educators Association conference three times in the last seven years, and is recognized throughout the state as one of the best university women’s choirs.
The Men’s Chorus is one of the oldest ongoing male choirs in the state of Oklahoma and continues to grow in numbers and quality.
The Chamber Choir is approximately a 16-24 voice ensemble that is selected through audition by Mrs. Curtis, and they meet Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00-3:50pm. Information concerning auditions for Chamber Choir is available by contacting Ms. Joyce Adams Curtis ((joyce.curtis@swosu.edu). Under Dr. Farris’s direction, this choir performed at the 2011 OMEA conference.
The Weatherford Community Chorus is open to members of the Western Oklahoma community and SWOSU students. No audition is required, and they meet Monday nights from 7:20-9:00 PM. For more information, contact Dr. Daniel Farris at (580) 774-3208 ordaniel.farris@swosu.edu.
ARE ONLY MUSIC MAJORS ALLOWED IN THE CHOIRS?
Not at all -- the SWOSU choirs are open to students from all majors on campus. More than half the enrollment of the choirs is usually students who are not music majors. Singing is a great way to meet people from various departments and to work together as a team to inspire each other and our audiences through quality choral performance. All students must enroll for credit in order to be in the choirs. This is a graded course and does count towards the student’s overall grade point average.
STILL UNSURE?
Come at the beginning of the fall semester for “try-it” days. These are rehearsals during the first week of school which are set aside for students to come in and just “try it” for an hour – no audition, no enrollment, just an opportunity to come observe what we do and who we are. We think you will find it a great experience and will want to join us for a great year of choral singing.
Solo Performance Opportunities
Students may audition for opera workshop, musical theater productions, regional and state level auditions of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and choral solos. Dr. Kristin Griffeath, assistant professor of voice, and the other two voice faculty all participate in the opera workshop productions. Contact one of them regarding these opportunities.
