Murray State University Choirs (Choirs)

Founded: Murray, Kentucky, USA

Women's Chorus

The Murray State University Women’s Chorus is a diverse ensemble including singers from all the academic colleges at the university. The non-auditioned choir strives to build a supportive and creative community through the study and performance of exceptional choral music. The Women’s Chorus offers expressive performances in a wide variety of genres, focusing on elevating and empowering the human spirit.

Concert Choir

Equally at home in the cathedral or the concert hall the Murray State Concert Choir sings diverse musical styles with enthusiasm and ease. From the pure resonant tone of the Renaissance to robust singing in opera choruses the premiere choir at Murray State University fully realizes the stylistic integrity of each of the musical genres it performs. The Choir has presented concerts in some of the world’s greatest venues including York Minster, Canterbury Cathedral, St. Mark’s Basilica, Venice, St. Thomas, Leipzig, and Carnegie Hall and enjoys a world-wide reputation for excellence. Under the baton of Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Bradley Almquist, the MSU Concert Choir has sung invitational performances at State, Division and National Conferences of NAfME and ACDA. The MSU Concert Choir is selected each fall by audition and includes students from all of the academic colleges on campus. With its extensive performance responsibilities, the singers selected as members of the Concert Choir are many of Murray State University’s finest and brightest students. They regularly appear in concert on campus and on regional tours fulfilling the university’s mission of enhancing the cultural milieu of the entire Four Rivers area.

Opera Workshop

The Murray State Opera Workshop is dedicated to the preparation of students for work on the operatic and musical theater stage. A special emphasis is placed on introducing the novice singer/actor to basic stage movement while singing. Students have the opportunity to audition the Department of Music and the Department of Theatre joint productions of a musical selected from the standard musical theater repertory. Recent shows have included Into The Woods, Fiddler on the Roof, Jesus Christ Superstar, Pirates of Penzance, and Cinderella. During the semester opposite the main stage musical production students have the opportunity to work alone and in small groups staging arias and scenes from grand opera, operetta and musical theater. Voice faculty members direct these activities sharing their real-life stage experiences with the students in a professional theater environment. These stage experiences are particularly valuable to the singers as they prepare themselves for careers in performance or as music teachers who may, one day, direct their own students in musical theater/operetta productions.

University Chorale

The Murray State University Chorale is a non-auditioned choir dedicated to the study and performance of great music of all musical epochs. The University Chorale offers singers the opportunity to continue to develop their singing skills and experiences after high school in a strong performance-oriented environment. No audition is required. However a special emphasis is placed on musical development and growth including music literacy skills and healthy vocal technique.

Sources:
Murray State University Website
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2021)

Bradley Almquist: Short Biography | Ensembles: Murray State University Concert Choir
Bach Discography: Recordings of Vocal Works

Links to other Sites

Murray State University: Choirs and Voice