Auditions
Our primary Chorus auditions are held each year in April-June for the following season. We occasionally hold audition opportunities at other times. Interested singers are encouraged to fill out the form linked below for more information about the next opportunity.
If you are interested in auditioning, please fill out the singer information form here for more details.
Standard Audition Requirements
- A vocal solo (preferably of a classical nature)
- Sight-reading (basic level)
- Messiah excerpt (only required for anyone wishing to be considered for the Messiah series)
- Tonal memory exercises (We play a brief melody and you sing it back.)
- Chromatic vocalise
Paid Core Audition Requirements
- Two classical vocal solos of contrasting style, one in English and the other in a different language.
- More advanced sight-reading
- Chromatic vocalise
- Tonal memory exercises (more complex than standard audition)
- Messiah excerpt (required)
- An additional prepared excerpt to be determined
- Paid Core candidates are strongly encouraged to provide a resume and list of major choral works studied/performed.
MEMBERSHIP
Our membership is made up of singers from a wide variety of backgrounds and occupations. We share a passion for choral singing and for the pursuit of musical excellence.
There are no sales expectations or fees required of members (apart from a small, one-time refundable music deposit), and the MSO provides all music. Singers provide their own concert attire and performance folder.
REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES
The Milwaukee Symphony Chorus rehearses and performs in the MSO’s beautiful new building, the Bradley Symphony Center, in downtown Milwaukee.
We rehearse on Monday evenings (and select Tuesdays) from 7:00-9:45 p.m., typically from September through June. During performance weeks we rehearse or perform most every evening. Not every singer performs in every concert series in a given season, so time commitments vary. Some personal practice and preparation is expected between weekly rehearsals.
MSO CHORUS 2023.24 SEASON
November 3-4, 2023
Beethoven: "Meeresstille und Glückliche Fahrt"; Choral Fantasie
Ken-David Masur, conductor
December 8-10, 2023
Handel: Messiah (Smaller Chorus)
Conductor TBD
December 14-17, 19, 2023
Holiday Pops
Conductor TBD
March 23-24, 2024
Bach: "Magnificat" in D Major
Ken-David Masur, conductor
May 17-18, 2024
Debussy: Nocturnes (Small Chorus of Women)
Ken-David Masur, conductor
June 7-9, 2024
Orff: Carmina Burana
Ken-David Masur, conductor
For other inquiries regarding the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, please contact:
Christina Williams
Chorus Manager
chorus@mso.org