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EKU Choirs

EKU offers an active, vibrant vocal music program with a variety of singing and educational opportunities for students of all academic majors. In recent years, our students have appeared at Carnegie Hall, performed at KMEA, toured West Virginia, Virginia, Washington, DC, and Ireland, and have had the opportunity to collaborate with world-renowned musicians including Jeffery Ames, Ola Gjeilo, Joe Miller, Jeffery Redding, Jake Runestad, Charles Anthony Silvestri, and Timothy Takach.

Commissioned Works

  • Andrea Ramsey – Suffrage Cantata (2022)*
  • Andrew Miller – Prayer to St. Michael (2018)
  • Charles Anthony Silvestri – Each Morning She Walks (2017)*
  • Timothy Takach – The Longest Nights (2016)*
  • Jake Runestad – The Winnowing (2015)
  • Ola Gjeilo – Genesis (2013)

*part of a commissioning consortium

Ensembles

Founded in 2019, EnChor is a non-auditioned ensemble of soprano/mezzo/alto voices open to all students. Members of EnChor represent a variety of academic majors from across campus.

Director: Dr. Jill Campbell
Rehearsals: Tue/Thu, 2:00-3:15 PM
MUS 228A / 428A / 828A

Founded in 2019, Koros is a non-auditioned ensemble of tenor/baritone/bass voices open to all students. Members of Koros represent a variety of academic majors from across campus.

Director: Dr. Richard Waters
Rehearsals: Tue/Thu, 3:30-4:45 PM
MUS 228B / 428B / 828B

University Singers is the premier choral ensemble at EKU. They present several major concerts throughout the year and frequently perform with the Lexington Philharmonic. They have recorded two albums which are available on Amazon, Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify, and at all EKU choir concerts. Membership is by audition.

Director: Dr. Richard Waters
Rehearsals: Mon/Wed/Fri, 2:30-4:25 PM
MUS 226 / 426 / 826

EKU Choir FAQs

  • Auditions for University Singers (SATB) are held at the beginning of the fall semester in Foster 104. For more information, contact Dr. Richard Waters at richard.waters@eku.edu.
  • Participation in EnChor (SSAA) or Koros (TTBB) does not require an audition. Simply register for the course and we’ll see you at the first rehearsal.

A prepared piece is not necessary. You will be asked to sing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” will be vocalized to determine your range, and will be asked to demonstrate sight-reading, interval, and tonal memory skills. The audition lasts approximately 10 minutes. All returning members must re-audition.

Absolutely not! A variety of academic majors from across campus are represented in our choirs.

Yes. Each ensemble is worth 1 credit hour per semester and may be repeated.

Students find singing in choir to be a valuable stress reliever in the middle of the day, as well as a great way to meet new friends. The students who wait a semester (or longer) to participate often tell us that they wish they had joined a choir from the very beginning. You DO have time to sing in choir: don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

The choirs typically present two major concerts each semester. In addition, all of the choirs participate in the annual EKU Choral Day, sing the national anthem at a football game, and are sometimes requested to perform at other campus or community events.

No. Music is provided and must be returned in good condition at the end of the semester.

  • All members must purchase the Stage Accents Baxter Unisex black top ($50). (Singers provide their own solid black, floor length slacks, dress pants, or skirt, and solid black dress shoes with black sole, closed toe and heel.)
  • Members of University Singers must purchase an EKU Choirs polo shirt ($15)
  • Members of EnChor and Koros must purchase an EKU Choirs t-shirt ($10).
  • Optional hoodies are also available ($25).
  • Orders are taken at the beginning of each semester.
  • We will work with anyone that has a financial hardship; concert attire purchases are not a barrier for someone to be able to sing with us.

Arts, Music & Theater Events

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EKU Wind Ensemble

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Wed
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EKU Concert Band

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Contact Information

EKU Choirs

Foster Building
Room 101

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