CHORAL ENSEMBLES

WLU offers a variety of choral ensembles to all students. For music majors and non-music majors alike, these choirs offer the opportunity to continue performing throughout your college career. Choral Ensembles operate as any other course on campus; students must register for the course, are given a grade, and receive academic credit for successful participation.

Ensemble participation is required of vocal music majors.  Minimum requirements are outlined here (below).

WLU Singers
The WLU Singers is an SATB ensemble that represents WLU at on and off-campus events. The WLU Singers also tour locally, regionally, and internationally. Membership is gained by audition with the Director of Choral Activities, Ryan Keeling.

Choral Scholars
The Choral Scholars is a small, flexible ensemble. The Choral Scholars has previously been a treble choir, a madrigal choir, a jazz choir, and a mixed chamber ensemble. Membership is gained by audition with the Director of Choral Activities, Ryan Keeling.

WLU Community Choir
The WLU Community Choir is an SATB ensemble consisting of students, WLU staff and faculty, and community members. The WLU Community Choir primarily performs large works with orchestra. Recent works have included Handel’s Messiah, Julian Wachner’s The Snow Lay on the Ground, John Rutter’s Gloria, and Brahms’ Schicksalslied. The WLU Community Choir meets on Monday evenings, 7-9 pm at Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church in Wheeling. There is no audition for this ensemble, membership is gained by contacting WLU Director of Choral Activities, Ryan Keeling.

Ensemble Participation Minimum Requirements for Vocal Majors

BA in Music Education-Choral Emphasis

• Voice Majors:  A minimum of 4 semester hours is required in choral organizations. Satisfactory completion of: 1) MUS 265 each semester of full‑time enrollment except for the semester of student teaching; 2) a minimum of two semesters in MUS 261 level ensembles; and 3) a minimum of two semesters of participation in instrumental organizations.

• Piano and Organ Majors:  A minimum of 4 semester hours is required in choral organizations. Satisfactory completion of: 1) MUS 265 each semester of full‑time enrollment except for the semester of student teaching; 2) a minimum of two semesters in MUS 261 level ensembles; and 3) a minimum of two semesters of participation in instrumental organizations.  ALSO, one semester of MUS 374 Accompanying Practicum

BM in Music Performance-Vocal Emphasis

Minimum of 10 semester hours; a minimum of 4 semester hours is required in WLU choral ensembles.  Satisfactory completion of: 1) MUS 265 each semester of full‑time enrollment; 2) a minimum of one semester in a MUS 261 level ensemble.