WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY
CHORAL PROGRAM
The choral program at West Chester has a long and proud tradition. We are an important part of the University's cultural life, with 250 or more students enrolled each semester in one of eight ensembles, performing more than a dozen concerts annually for large and appreciative audiences. Each year, thousands of people hear a West Chester choir—not only on campus but through off-campus performances in Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, throughout Pennsylvania, and in California, Florida, the desert Southwest, and Europe, as well as at professional conferences. Concert Choir and Mastersingers have performed several times at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. Together, WCU choirs sing an amazing range of repertory: large choral masterworks with orchestra (both the WCU Symphony Orchestra and professional ensembles like the Philadelphia Classical Symphony), shorter classical pieces, spirituals and folk songs, world music, choruses from opera and musical theatre, and vocal jazz.
Beyond concerts, we regularly bring to campus internationally renowned guest composers and clinicians, have an active ACDA student chapter, and offer educational workshops for teachers and high school students and a graduate M.M. degree in choral conducting. Most importantly, those involved in the WCU choral program find community—a place where singing abounds, where artistry flourishes, and where lifelong relationships begin.
On this web page, learn more about our choirs, hear from our students about their experiences, read about our repertory, and learn about our clinics and workshops. See our concert calendar for upcoming events and "like" our Facebook page. Whether you are a high school student intending to study music, a teacher interested in continuing education, or a community member who loves choral music, we hope you will be in touch with us and come hear us sing!
2024-25 CHORAL AUDITION INFORMATION
All West Chester University students — regardless of major or class year — are welcome to join a choral ensemble! All of our ensembles require an audition and all students will be placed in an ensemble that best fits their goals and needs. It is important for the directors to know every student in the ensemble as an individual, and this audition appointment will help kickstart that process.
You can arrange for a Spring 2025 audition by emailing Dr. Kimberly Dunn Adams.
Everyone must fill out the Audition Info Form before the audition. It is online and requires that you attach a copy of your schedule (pdf, screenshot, jpg, or link). Please fill this out before your audition so we can review it before your appointment. You will need to be logged in with your WCU account (@wcupa.edu) in order to fill out the form.
Fall 2024 CHORAL AUDITION FORM
AUDITION FORMAT
For your choral audition, you will be asked to perform the following:
- Solo Song: Please prepare a short song. The piece should demonstrate the overall quality of your singing. Arias, art songs, folk songs, hymns, jazz standards, and pop tunes are all acceptable representative pieces. Please limit your selection to 1-2 minutes in length. You may sing unaccompanied or bring sheet music for an accompanist – someone will be available to play for you.
- Range Exercises/Vocalises: Each singer will be asked to sing a few vocalises (“warm-up” sequences) so that the directors can get a more thorough understanding of their ranges and tone qualities.
- Pitch Memory: Each student will also be asked to sing some short tonal memory exercises. The director will play a series of four to six pitches and ask you to repeat them on your own.
- Sight Reading: Each student will be given short musical examples to read unaccompanied via screen share. A starting pitch will be given, and you will have a short period to look over the example. Do your best, but don’t stress out. It is important that we get to know you as much as possible so that we place you in the choral ensemble where you will grow the most—and have the most fun.
ENROLLMENT AND CREDIT
Please register for your choral ensemble as a class. If you are accepted into a different choir than the one you registered for initially, then you will switch your registration.
MEET THE FACULTY
Dr. Kimberly Adams
Director of Choral Activities
Professor of Music
Ryan Kelly
Associate Director of Choral Activities
Professor of Music
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Master of Music in Performance - Choral Conducting
The M.M. in Choral Conducting at the Wells School of Music is intended for musicians who want to further their musical knowledge and refine their gestural abilities on the podium. Graduates of this program have held positions in K-12 public and private schools, churches, community choruses, semi-professional and professional choruses, and institutions of higher education.
The core program of study includes private conducting study, weekly masterclasses, intensive score analysis, musicianship coaching, ensemble participation, and coursework in choral literature and related topics. Students in this program have access to rotating assistant conductor positions in WCU’s eight choral ensembles, offering podium time in multiple settings, including SATB, SSAA, TTBB, chamber, and symphonic choirs. Graduate students in choral conducting also benefit from a dedicated repertoire choir, whose singers are chosen by audition and funded with scholarships.
Students who enter the M.M. degree will add to the depth of their knowledge about choral music, its style and performance practice, and the application of these in effective choral rehearsals and performances. West Chester University is located in the greater Philadelphia region, with easy access to the vibrant arts scene in and around Philadelphia and the east coast.
Guidelines for application to the M.M. in choral conducting may be found on the Wells School of Music website. Graduate scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships for M.M. choral conducting candidates are available.
Applications for Fall 2025 are open now and accepted throughout the year with rolling admission. For funding consideration, please apply by February 1.
Faculty
Dr. Kimberly Dunn Adams, Director of Choral Activities & Professor of Music
Dr. Ryan Kelly, Associate Director of Choral Activities & Professor of Music
Further Information: Dr. Kimberly Dunn Adams
Summer Choral Symposium July 16-19, 2025
Dates: July 16-19, 2025
Kimberly Dunn Adams and Ryan Kelly, Host Clinicians
The West Chester University Choral Conducting Symposium is designed to sharpen podium gestures and communication skills, enhance knowledge of repertoire, and deepen score study and analysis techniques. It is designed for working conductors in public/private schools, churches, and community choirs and is also suitable for advanced students ready for graduate study (master's or doctoral) in conducting. Conductors may participate in two ways: as Conducting Participants, who will get ample podium time and individual lessons with master teachers; or as Observers, who will be engaged in all activities but who will not conduct. All sessions will be video recorded and shared with the participating conductors.
Further Information: Dr. Kimberly Dunn Adams
2025 Choral Symposium Choral Conducting Symposium Registration
Opportunities for High School Students and Teachers
HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER MUSIC INSTITUTE
We are pleased to offer a much-expanded summer choral camp will be offered for high
school students as part of the WCU High School Summer Music Institute. Highlights will include a week of rehearsal on music leading to a public performance;
voice lessons; and, for those interested, conducting lessons. Students are housed
in University dormitories and eat in the University dining hall. The workshop is hosted
and led by the WCU choral and voice faculty.
Further Information:
Dr. Ryan Kelly
(610) 436-2854
HIGH SCHOOL HONOR CHOIR FESTIVAL
The annual High School Honor Choir Festival will resume in the 2025-26 academic year with a schedule filled with inspiring and
rewarding activities for high school participants, thought-provoking professional
development sessions for current teachers, and structured interaction with WCU choral
students. Check back frequently for updates, registration deadlines, and a detailed
list of activities!
