Meadows Choirs

Ensembles

Dedicated to performing excellence in the choral art, the choral program at SMU has a rich tradition dating back more than 40 years. Throughout this period, members of SMU choral ensembles have gone on to successful careers as vocalists, conductors, music educators, and church music leaders, some achieving national and international acclaim in their field. The tradition continues this year with concerts by our outstanding mixed choirs, the Meadows Chorale and the Meadows Chamber Singers, and our superb treble ensemble, Concordia.

The Meadows choirs enthusiastically welcome students from all academic concentrations. For more information about the choral program, contact Professor Margaret Winchell, Director of Choral Activities, at mwinchell@smu.edu.

SMU Choral program 2024-25

MEADOWS CHAMBER SINGERS (PERE 5114)

Margaret Winchell, Conductor

A select vocal ensemble comprised of the most advanced vocal talent in the university; open through audition to all undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of major. Meadows Chamber Singers fulfills major ensemble requirements for SMU degree programs.

Rehearsals: MWF 12 – 12:50 p.m.

Meadows Chorale (PERE 5113)

Michael Lysinger, Conductor

This large mixed choir is open through audition to all undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of major. Meadows Chorale fulfills major ensemble requirements for SMU degree programs.

Rehearsals: MWF 3 – 3:50 p.m.

Concordia (PERE 5116)

Margaret Winchell, Conductor

A treble choir that performs an eclectic mix of repertoire from chamber works to opera excerpts to standard choral works. Concordia is open to all undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of major, through audition. This choir fulfills major ensemble requirements for SMU degree programs.

Rehearsals: Tu/Th 12:30 – 1:50 p.m.

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FALL 2024 CHOIR PLACEMENT AUDITIONS

We are so excited to meet you and to find a spot for you in one of our three choral ensembles.

For your audition, please bring a short, prepared solo, such as an aria, art song or hymn. If you don't have anything prepared, you are welcome to sing My Country, Tis of Thee, Amazing Grace, or another song that allows us to hear your voice at its best. We will also have you vocalize to hear your range and do some sight-reading and pitch memory exercises.

Everyone, including returning singers, should sign up for an audition slot. If none of the available times work for you, please email Professor Winchell at mwinchell@smu.edu.

Monday, August 26

11 – 4 p.m. (Choral Hall, OFAC 1180)

Tuesday, August 27

12:30 – 1:50 p.m. (Choral Hall, OFAC 1180)
3:30 – 5:30 p.m. (Choral Hall, OFAC 1180)

SMU Choral Department
2024 – 25 Concert Season

Summer’s Last Light

Tuesday, October 1, 2024
7:30 p.m. | Caruth Auditorium

We are excited to welcome new singers to the choirs at SMU! Join Meadows Chorale, Concordia and Chamber Singers for an evening of choral music inspired by the beauty of the natural world. This will be the first concert with our new choral faculty.

Paradox

Sunday, November 24, 2024
2:30 p.m. | Caruth Auditorium

Meadows Chorale, Concordia and Chamber Singers present a reflective program of wide-ranging repertoire. For centuries, composers have tried to capture the complexities of life’s juxtapositions. Night and day, death and life, ending and beginning – exploring these pairs through poetry and music help us take in the human experience more fully.

Tapestry

Thursday, March 13, 2025
7:30 p.m. | Caruth Auditorium

Meadows Chorale, Concordia and Chamber Singers invite you to an uplifting evening of music. Just as a tapestry is woven from individual threads, so are our communities made richer by the lives of each individual. This concert’s repertoire deals with the relationship between the part and the whole and the beauty of both.

Ready, bright

Sunday, April 27, 2025
2:30 p.m. | Caruth Auditorium

Celebrate the end of a year of beautiful music-making with this energetic and hopeful program from the Meadows Choirs! The repertoire highlights the power of music to effect positive change in our world. The program features Derrick Skye’s Ready, Bright, which integrates a variety of traditions and vocal styles to probe the experiences of restraint and freedom.