Choir
The Department of Music's Choir program offers diverse ensembles and exceptional performance opportunities for all students.
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
University of Mississippi Concert Singers
The University of Mississippi Concert Singers is an auditioned ensemble with an established reputation for outstanding choral performance across the United States and Europe. This choir performs a wide variety of music including newly commissioned works by Ēriks Ešenvalds, Ola Gjeilo, Gordon Ring, and Z. Randall Stroope. Several prominent composers and conductors have worked with the choir including Eric Whitacre who stated “Conducting this chorus is like driving a Ferrari. If you ever get the chance to do it, I highly recommend it. It is quite a choice.”
Conducted by Donald Trott
University Chorus
The University Chorus is a large SATB choir that performs major choral/orchestral works including concerts with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra with Maestro Robert Moody. Other annual performances include the Veterans Day Concert and Holiday Concert.
Conducted by Donald Trott and Elizabeth Hearn
Women's Glee
Women's Glee is a select ensemble that performs music of the highest caliber representing all stylistic periods and genres. In addition to singing treble choir repertoire, each year the Women's Glee combines with the Ole Miss Men's Glee to perform mixed voice repertoire. Membership is open to any female student based on an audition by the conductor.
Conducted by Elizabeth Hearn
Men's Glee
The University of Mississippi Men’s Glee has a long history of choral excellence in the spirit of the traditional men’s glee clubs. Each semester they perform several times on and off campus, singing a wide variety of repertory for men. The Men’s Glee sings the national anthem regularly at Ole Miss football and basketball games. Men attending the University of Mississippi are encouraged to participate in this ensemble.
Conducted by Donald Trott
Welcome to UM's Choir
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 17th year as Director of Choral Activities at Ole Miss, and I am 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?
Summer 2024
Vocal Music at UM requires an entrance audition for undergraduate and graduate students desiring to be a music major, minor, or graduate student.
During the summer, all auditions should be submitted as videos. There will be no in-person auditions. This audition will serve as your voice major/minor/graduate and choral audition.
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.
Audition Submissions
Video auditions 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.
If you are a transfer student, be sure to include a list of your cumulative repertoire. 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 choie. 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 Submissions
All students interested in a choir audition will need to submit a digital 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
If you are a transfer student, be sure to include a list of your cumulative repertoire. Both voice and choral faculty will review your audition video.
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.
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
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
Events
Graduate Recitals
Jordan Allen, Lauren Ladner, & Ontarius Woodland
- April 29, 2024
- 7:30pm
- Paris-Yates Chapel
Festivals
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.
- March 23, 2024 (Saturday)
Tenor/Base 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!
- September 23, 2023 (Saturday)
Master of Music in Choral Conducting
Bring your passion for music to the podium
Whether a choral or instrumental music educator, expand your horizons in a program tailor-suited to you.
- 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
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.
- 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.
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
A Legacy of Excellence
University of Mississippi Concert Singers
Under Dr. Trott’s direction, the University of Mississippi Concert Singers have made four appearances at American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) conventions, including Charleston, West Virginia, Memphis, Miami, and Chattanooga. Several prominent composers and conductors have worked with the choir including Eric Whitacre who stated “Conducting this chorus is like driving a Ferrari. If you ever get the chance to do it, I highly recommend it. It is quite a choice.”
A recording with the Concert Singers and other choirs at Ole Miss titled Whitacre Conducts Whitacre featuring works composed and conducted by Mr. Whitacre was released in 2008. 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.
Women's Glee
In March 2008, the Women’s Glee performed at the Southern Division Convention of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) in Louisville, KY. They were also selected to perform at the 2006 ACDA/Mississippi Music Educators convention in Jackson.