Audition and Enrollment Information

Thank you for your interest in singing in a choir during the 2024-25 academic year! This should prove to be a really exciting year to sing in one of the UMass Lowell choirs.

The Music Department has three traditional choirs, and there’s an ensemble for every skill level, whether you are an experienced vocalist or brand new to singing in choirs.

This fall the UMass Lowell (UML) University Choir and Chamber Singers will be collaborating with the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra and the Nashoba Valley Chorale to perform two masterworks of the choral literature, "The Planets" by Gustav Holst and "Dona nobis pacem" by Ralph Vaughan Williams! Additionally, The Common Voice will be hosting an exciting Community Chorus Festival in the Moloney Performing Arts Center (MPAC).

Each ensemble offers a great opportunity to grow as a musician, sing with joy and expressivity, and join an inclusive and welcoming community of singers.

Sign up for an audition for University Choir or Chamber Singers now!

Choral Ensembles

The Common Voice

Courses: MUEN.2510 and MUEN.5510 (1 credit).

No audition necessary! The Common Voice is a large chorus consisting of members of the greater Lowell community and students and staff from across all three UMass Lowell campuses. Enrollment is open in the Student Information System (SiS), or contact Brianne Biastoff by email: brianne_biastoff@uml.edu with any questions.

Rehearses on Mondays, 6-7:50 p.m. Open to ALL students, staff and community members. Feel free to just show up to the first rehearsal on Monday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m. in Moloney Performing Arts Center, Room 113.

UML University Choir

Courses: MUEN.2020 and MUEN.5020 (2 credits).

University Choir (UChoir) is a select chorus of approximately 30 to 50 singers. An audition is required for new members. Former members of UChoir can re-enroll without an audition, but feel free to sign up for an audition time if you want to do a vocal range “check-up.” Contact Jonathan Richter, Director of Choral Activities, by email: jonathan_richter@uml.edu with questions.

Rehearses on Mondays and Wednesdays, 3-4:50 p.m.

Open to all UML students, faculty and community members.

UML Chamber Singers

Courses: MUEN.2010 and MUEN.5010 (2 credits).

A highly select, professional-level vocal ensemble of 20 to 24 singers. An audition is required for all members (conducted on September 1 and 2). Email: jonathan_richter@uml.edu with any questions.

Rehearses Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3-4:50 p.m.

Open to all UMass Lowell students by audition.

New Purpose Gospel Choir

The New Purpose Gospel Choir is a non-curricular club that performs a variety of works from the gospel music tradition. Run through Student Clubs & Organizations, the mission is to bridge diverse audiences and cultivate a harmonious world, starting with the UMass Lowell campus community. Through captivating performances and uplifting melodies, we aim to inspire unity and spread the message of hope, love and faith. We warmly welcome individuals from all backgrounds. We are especially committed to helping the members thrive as students.

Meets on Mondays, 7-8 p.m., University Crossing, Room 492

Email: dyna_louis@student.uml.edu.

Auditions

Auditions for Chamber Singers and UChoir will consist of singing a simple song (“Shenandoah” and “My Country 'tis of Thee” are recommended); a range check to determine voice part; and a quick sight-reading example.

Please arrive warmed up and ready to sing, and please arrive promptly at your appointed time.

Sign up for an audition time

Audition times are:

Other times are available by appointment, by sending an email to Jonathan Richter.

Prepare for your audition by being ready to sing one of these two pieces: “Shenandoah” and “My Country 'tis of Thee”.

If you have questions about any of the ensembles or the audition process, don’t hesitate to email Jonathan Richter, DMA, Director of Choral Activities at: jonathan_richter@uml.edu.