Frequently Asked Questions
- Who sponsors the chorus?
- What kinds of music do you sing?
- What kind of musical experience do I need to have?
- Do I need to audition?
- The last time I sang was in my high school chorus. Is that OK?
- Is the chorus for college students only?
- When are rehearsals?
- Does it cost anything to be in the chorus?
- How do I join?
- When are performances?
- Who is the conductor? How do I contact him?
- How do I contact the Community Music Division?
- How long has the chorus been in existence?
- Where can I hear how they sound?
- What other pieces have you performed in the past?
- Where else have you performed?
- Is it fun being in the DePaul Community Chorus?
The DePaul Community Chorus is a part of the Community Music Division of DePaul University's School of Music. With campuses throughout the Chicago area, DePaul is the largest Catholic University in the nation. The School of Music is located on DePaul's Lincoln Park Campus.
2. What kinds of music do you sing?
Anything and everything – European classical art music, folk traditions from the U.S. and beyond, Broadway melodies. Some concerts are light and relaxed, others intense. Once a year we sing a major choral masterwork with orchestra. Each December we perform in DePaul University's Christmas at DePaul holiday concerts.
3. What kind of musical experience do I need to have?
We're a chorus where you can come develop your skills and enjoy the experience. Usually, new members have at some choral singing background (it may have been a while…) and know at least the basics of reading music. If you have a passion for singing and commitment to making the best music that you can, we would love to have you join us.
4. What are your auditions like?
Auditions for this chorus are not "pressure-cooker" events. We simply want to hear your voice, see what vocal range is comfortable for you and check out your basic instincts for melody and harmony. Music reading skills or choral experience is a plus, but not a requirement – especially if you have a "good ear" for music. You might want to brush up on "My Country Tis of Thee" or a favorite hymn or song – nothing very fancy!
5. The last time I sang was in my high school chorus. Is that OK?
Absolutely.
6. Is the chorus for college students only?
No, the chorus is open to adults of any age. The chorus has an even mixture of ages, from university-aged on up.
Rehearsals are on Tuesday nights from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm in the School of Music Building of DePaul University (804 W. Belden) near the corner of Fullerton and Halsted. The first rehearsal of the season is generally the third Tuesday in September. Current rehearsal info is located on our Join Us page.
8. Does it cost anything to be in the chorus?
There are no fees for joining the chorus. We ask that members cover the cost of their music each term, plus a small administrative fee. This cost is $50 per quarter or $125 for the concert season.
At other times there is fundraising for specific projects, such as paying for instrumentalists for concerts, but this is done strictly on a voluntary basis.
See our Join Us page for details.
We typically have one concert during the December holiday season, one during mid-March, and one in early June. Each December we also perform in DePaul University's Christmas at DePaul holiday concerts.
11. Who is the conductor? How do I contact him?
A biography of our conductor, Stephen Blackwelder, is on the conductor's page. His contact info is on the Contact Us page.
12. How do I contact the Community Music Division?
Susanne Baker is Director of the Community Music Division at DePaul University. Her contact info is on the Contact Us page.
13. How long has the chorus been in existence?
The chorus has been in existence since 1989.
14. Where can I hear how they sound?
There are samples on the home page. Take a listen.
The chorus has also produced a CD of the Mozart Requiem that we performed on March 9, 2003. It was the first performance in the Chicago area of the revised edition by Robert Levin of Harvard University.
15. What other pieces have you performed in the past?
In addition to Mozart's Requiem, over the years the chorus has sung Haydn's Creation, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Mozart's Mass in C (the Coronation), Brahms' Ein Deutches Requiem, Beethoven's Mass in C Major, Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, Orff's Carmina Burana, Part 1 of Handel's Messiah, Saint-Säens's Christmas Oratorio, Schubert's Mass in G, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, Robert Ray's Gospel Mass, Rutter's Requiem, Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass, Respighi's Laud to the Nativity, and Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms, all with full orchestral accompaniment.
16. Where else have you performed?
Members of the chorus have appeared at the Shedd Aquarium, on the Daley Center Plaza Noontime Series, have participated in memorial ceremonies at the Chicago Historical Society in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and have sung with the DePaul University Orchestra and Chorus under Margaret Hillis. The chorus had been invited to participate in several programs at Orchestra Hall, Symphony Center, including performances of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, Holst's The Planets, and 'Songs of Rejoicing' conducted by Duain Wolfe. Most recently, we performed with the Waukegan Symphony under the direction of Stephen Blackwelder and with the DePaul University Chorus for Christmas at DePaul at St Vincent DePaul church.
17. Is it fun being in the DePaul Community Chorus?
Yes! But come and find out for yourself.