The University Chorale is a multifaceted choir of voice majors, pianists, organists, guitarists, as well as composers, musicologists and music theorists. The ensemble provides singers the opportunity to learn and perform music of many styles and genres including early music, classical and romantic works, and music composed late into the 20th century. Some semesters the Chorale is divided to perform as SSAA and TTBB ensembles.
The University Chorale works with choral faculty and is regularly conducted by advanced doctoral choral conducting majors under the guidance of choral faculty mentors. Recent doctoral recital repertoire includes Beethoven’s Mass in C Major, Dvorak’s Mass in D Major, St. Nicolas by Benjamin Britten, the Fauré Requiem, and the Cherubini Requiem.
Each year the University Chorale combines with other IU concert choirs to form the Oratorio Chorus, an ensemble that numbers from 150 to 200 singers. The Oratorio Chorus joins forces with one of the fine orchestras at the Jacobs School and performs a major work in the Musical Arts Center. These concerts, directed by IU conducting faculty, have included works such as the War Requiem by Benjamin Britten, A Sea Symphony by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Poulenc’s Gloria, and William Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast. In the fall semester of 2018, the Oratorio Chorus and Philharmonic Orchestra performed the St. Luke Passion by Krzysztof Penderecki under the direction of the composer and conducted by Maciej Tworek. The Oratorio Chorus also performs with visiting professional orchestras, most recently in a performance Mahler’s 2nd Symphony with the Cleveland Orchestra under the baton of Franz Welser-Möst.
Spring 2024 Repertoire
Benjamin Britten: St. Nicolas, Op. 42, Caio Guimarães, conductor
Joseph Haydn: Theresienmesse. H. XXII/12, Raoul Angangco, conductor