Dynamic voices, powerful programming
Director: Graeme Langager
Conductor, Choral Union: Hyejung Jun
UBC Choirs comprises five student choirs of different sizes and abilities, from the powerful 120-member Choral Union to the exciting and dynamic University Singers.
All choirs are open to both music majors and non-music majors, with auditions happening in September each year.
UBC Choirs perform in the beautiful Chan Centre for Performing Arts and other venues on the University of British Columbia campus.
Our five choirs are:
- University Singers
- Choral Union
- Oriana (for treble voices, formerly Women’s Choir)
- Vox (for tenor and bass voices, once Men’s Choir)
- Chamber Choir
WATCH: UBC Choir and UBC Symphony Orchestra perform Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem (full concert).
WATCH: UBC Choirs and UBC Symphony Orchestra perform “Under the Willow Tree” by Samuel Barber.
Choral ensembles
MUSC 153 / 553
University Singers is the premier choral ensemble in the UBC School of Music. This 36-voice select ensemble performs the most advanced music written for chamber choir spanning the Renaissance to the modern-day. The University Singers also performs major works with the orchestra, including Brahms Requiem, Beethoven Symphony No. 9, Handel Messiah, and many others.
The choir has won several awards, including the CBC National Choral Competition and the BBC International Choral Competition, and has toured through Europe and North America.
This choir meets Mondays and Wednesdays, 3 - 4:30 p.m. and Thursdays, 1 - 3 p.m.
MUSC 154 / 554
Choral Union is UBC's largest and most potent choral ensemble. Comprised of 120 singers, Choral Union performs significant works from the greatest composers of choral music spanning the past five centuries.
Choral Union has performed Mozart Requiem, Dvořák Stabat Mater, and Orff Carmina Burana in recent years. The choir is comprised of both music majors and non-music majors.
This choir meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5 - 7 p.m.
Formerly Women's Choir
MUSC 156 A
Oriana is a large advanced treble choir. Students with previous choral or musical experiences are encouraged to participate! The choir performs at least one concert per term featuring various musical styles and composers. Both music majors and non-music majors are welcome to join. This ensemble fulfills the "Small Ensemble" requirement for music majors.
This choir meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 - 9:30 p.m.
Formerly Men's Choir
MUSC 156 B
Vox performs music written for tenor and bass voices. Students who love to sing and enjoy music are encouraged to participate. The choir performs at least one concert per term featuring works by leading composers for tenor/bass voices.
Both music majors and non-music majors are welcome to join. This ensemble fulfills the small ensemble requirement for music majors.
This choir meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 - 9:30 p.m.
MUSC 156 / 556 C
The Chamber Choir is a 24-voice mixed ensemble conducted by graduate students in choral conducting in consultation with Dr. Langager. This choir performs music from all periods, including motets, madrigals, and contemporary compositions.
Students in music education who like to be challenged by quality repertoire or are interested in conducting their own choirs one day are strongly encouraged to audition for this ensemble.
Previous choral experience is recommended. This ensemble fulfills the "Small Ensemble" requirement for Music Majors.
This choir meets Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:30 - 6 p.m.
WATCH: The University Singers perform Francis Poulenc’s “Salve Regina.”
Joining a choir
The UBC Choirs are open to both music majors and non-music majors. Auditions are held during the last week of August and the first week of September.
Previous musical experience — such as playing an instrument or singing in a choir — is recommended and helpful. In the more advanced ensembles, the repertoire is challenging, and in these choirs, some music sight-reading skills are necessary. Having some familiarity with reading musical notation in the other choirs is recommended though not required.
Students with a good ear, a good voice, and an eagerness to learn music but no sight-reading experience will be placed in the best ensemble suited to their skill level and aptitude.
