Choir
The Department of Music's Choral program offers all university students exceptional performance opportunities through participation in variety of choral ensembles.
A Choir for Every Voice
Whether you plan to be a vocal music major, minor, graduate, or plan to pursue another degree and want to sing in choir, you have come to the right place! All students enrolled at the University of Mississippi are welcome to participate in choir.
Choral ensembles
Concert Singers
Choir tours have resulted in performances in many of the nation’s notable landmarks including the White House, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and Carnegie Hall. European tours have included performances in France, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Austria, including a collaboration with the Webern Kammerchor from the University of Vienna.
Conducted by Donald Trott
University Chorus
The University Chorus is a large SATB choir that performs many major choral/orchestral works including performances with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Other annual performances include the Veterans Day Concert and Holiday Concert.
Conducted by Donald Trott and Elizabeth Hearn
Women's Glee
The University of Mississippi Women’s Glee is a distinguished soprano-alto choir that performs music of varying styles and genres, embrasing the breadth of human experience through song. Consisting of more than 70 treble singers from different majors and interests, we are a diverse group of individuals passionate about meaningful choral singing and creating a snse of community. Our choir has a strong istory of musical excellence and has performed at various conferences, including the National ACDA Conference in 2001, the ACDA Southern Division Conference in 2008, and the Mississippi ADA/MMEa State Conference in 2023. Membership is open to any soprano or alto student.
Conducted by Elizabeth Hearn
Men's Glee
The University of Mississippi Men’s Glee has a long history of choral excellence performing a wide variety of music for tenors and basses. In addition to the many performances on and off campus, the Men’s Glee performs the national anthem regularly at Ole Miss home football games and anchor the annual Tenor/Bass Festival held on campus.
Conducted by Donald TrottWelcome to Choir
Thank you for visiting our web page and for your interest in the Choral program at the University of Mississippi in Oxford. We have a long tradition of choral excellence and I hope you will want to be part of our future. I am currently in my twenty-third year as Director of Choral Activities at Ole Miss, and quite proud of the program we have established that offers students a quality and varied choral experience. If you are interested in singing, we have a choir for you!
Donald Lee Trott
Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities
Ready to Join?
Both music majors and non-music majors are required to audition for choir. Your audition is to give us the information we need to place you in an ensemble. Rest assured, there is a place for you in UM Choirs.
All voice students must audition to enter the University of Mississippi Department of Music – whether undergraduate or graduate, a music major or minor.
Your voice audition will satisfy audition requirements for UM Opera Theatre, UM Choirs, and the UM Music Department Vocal Area – all with one submission.
Undergraduate Students
- High School seniors: Perform two solo vocal selections of contrasting character/style.
- Transfer students: Perform two solo vocal selections of contrasting character/style with one in a language other than English.
Graduate Students
Master of Music:
- Prepare a memorized audition program consisting of four to five pieces. Repertoire should include selections from opera, oratorio, and art song, representing three to four historical periods, in at least four languages, e.g., Italian, German, French, English, Spanish, and Russian.
- A cumulative repertoire list, senior recital program, and transcript should be presented at the audition.
NOTE: The GRE is not required for the Master of Music in Vocal Performance.
In-person auditions can take place on these dates:
- November 1
- February 28
- March 28
Audition Submissions
For students who live a great distance from Ole Miss or are unable to come on one of the three dates listed, you are permitted to submit a video audition. This audition should be submitted as an unedited video of high quality using a youtube link set as unlisted.
Email the youtube link to your audition video, along with your full name and contact information, to Lydia Dees at lkdees@go.olemiss.edu.
Both voice and choral faculty will review your audition video.
Note: While selections with accompaniment are encouraged, unaccompanied submissions will be accepted.
All students, no matter what major you are pursuing, are welcome to participate and audition for a choir. Choral scholarships are available to students who want to participate in a choir as a non-music major.
Auditions for placement in choir need to be submitted as a video.
Audition Requirements: Undergraduate and Graduate
- Sing 5-note descending scales that show your top and bottom range. Sing in full voice.
- Sing a prepared selection, either with or without accompaniment – or – sing “My Country tis of Thee” or the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
Audition Dates
- February 14, 2025
- March 28, 2025
Audition Submissions
All students interested in a choir audition will need to submit a video audition as an unedited video of high quality using a youtube link set as unlisted.
Email the youtube link to your audition video, along with your full name and contact information, to lkdees@go.olemiss.edu
Note: While selections with accompaniment are encouraged, a cappella submissions will be accepted.
You will need to submit an audition video, so please click on the link below and fill out the audition form.
Audition for Choir
Our graduate assistant, Lydia Dees, will be in touch with you to help you along in this process. If you have questions, please contact her here.
Choral scholarships are available to students who elect to be music majors, music minors, or students who want to participate in a choir as a non-music major. All students interested in receiving a choral scholarship must audition for the choral faculty.
Scholarships are awarded based upon talent, and choral/vocal program needs.
Concert Singers
Schedule
Meets: M W F 2:00 –2:50 pm
Meets: T TH 2:30 – 3:45 pm
Fall Course Numbers
MUS 139 / 239 / 339 / 439 / 539
Spring Course Numbers
MUS 140 / 240 / 340 / 440 / 540
University Chorus
Schedule
Meets: M W F 12:00 – 12:50 pm
Fall Course Numbers
MUS 135 / 235 / 335 / 435 / 545
Spring Course Numbers
MUS 136 / 236 / 336 / 436 / 546
Section 1: Men's Glee Club
Section 2: Women's Glee Club
Tenor/Bass Choir Festival
This festival is an add-on to the great success of our UM Treble Festival. It facilitates learning and activities are crafted to engage our festival participants on topics related to empowering students in choir, and more!
- February 3, 2025
Treble Choir Festival
This choral festival opportunity was uniquely designed for treble singers. It is a a multi-generational choral experience, with the opportunity for advanced middle school, high school, community college, university, and adult singers to perform together and learn from each other.
- February 3, 2025
Meet the Faculty and Staff
Donald Trott
- Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities
Elizabeth Hearn
- Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education
Cara Jones
- Administrative Secretary
Master of Music in Choral Conducting
Bring your passion for music to the podium
- Receive advanced training in choral conducting, choral repertoire, score study, and work from the podium with a variety of ensembles.
- Learn alongside passionate, caring researchers and educators who will bring your goals into focus and help you succeed as a conductor and music educator.
Graduate Assistantships
The University of Mississippi Department of Music offers paid assistantships to qualifying graduate students, including in the area of Choral Music. More information can be found on our Graduate Programs page.
Graduate Programs Master of Music Program Course Catalog
Contact Dr. Donald Trott for any additional information or questions about the Master of Music in Choral Conducting.
Frequently Asked Questions
We're here to help you find the perfect musical fit for your talents and schedule. If you have any other questions about joining our choirs, please don't hesitate to contact a faculty or staff member.
Not at all! In fact, our choral program is about 40% non-music majors and we welcome anyone that wants to sing and contribute to our great organization.
Yes. Students, both music majors and non-music majors, are required to audition for choir. Your audition is to give us the information we need to place you in an ensemble.
Rest assured, there is a place for you in UM Choirs.
Participation in our choirs requires an average of 3-5 hours of rehearsal time per week.
- University Chorus, Men’s Glee, and Women’s Glee rehearse:
- MWF from 12:00-12:50pm
- Concert Singers rehearse:
- MWF 2:00–2:50pm
- T Th 2:30–3:45 pm
- We typically perform anywhere from 2-4 performances per semester.
There is a cost for obtaining your concert attire. For the women, the concert dress costs approximately $70 and for the men, the tuxedo costs approximately $140. Once purchased, they are yours and are not returned to us.
Commissioned Works
The Ole Miss Choral program has commissioned several works by preeminent composers, which we are proud to have presented in our concerts.
- Absalom, My Son – Joel Bremmer
- I Have Loved Hours at Sea – Ēriks Ešenvalds
- The Liberation of Ellis Bell – Ola Gjeilo
- Credo – Damijan Močnik
- Who I am – J. Reese Norris
- A Vision Unfolding – Kyle Pederson (collaborative commission with AVoice4Peace)
- Cover Me With the Night – Andrea Ramsey
- The Destruction of Sennacherib – J.A.C. Redford
- Psalm 47 – Gordon Ring
- Lux aeterna – K. Lee Scott
- Who is gonna make up my dyin’ bed? – K. Lee Scott
- Musik’s Empire – Z. Randall Stroope
- Exultate Justi – Richard Waters
Repertoire
The Choral Program at the University of Mississippi is highly recognized for its impressive achievements, excellent faculty, and diverse performance experiences. The activities of the choir and the program of study for vocal music majors are rich in musical literature.
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