ASU Choral Union holds auditions Aug. 19 and 24 for 2003-2004 season

In its more than 30-year history, the 180-voice ASU Choral Union in the Herberger College School of Music has been a symphony chorus that has enjoyed an outstanding performance reputation, both nationally and internationally. Members are auditioned volunteer singers from the ASU community, including students, faculty and staff, and residents of the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Choral Union is currently seeking new members. Individual auditions for Choral Union will be held on the evening of (Tuesday) Aug. 19 in Murdock Hall and both morning and afternoon of (Saturday) Aug. 23 in the Music Building. To schedule an audition, call 480-965-3371. 

Many of Choral Union members are professionally trained and have had extensive choral experience. Weekly rehearsals are held from August through May on Tuesdays from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. Designed to be an enriching experience for members, David Schildkret, director of choral activities in the School of Music, has scheduled a workshop on singing technique and two retreats, including one with Robert Porco, conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and the Cincinnati May Festival Chorus.

Choral Union will join University Symphony Orchestra for the "Visions of Peace and Heaven" concert on Oct. 22 to perform Dona nobis pacem by Vaughan Williams, with Porco as guest conductor. In addition, On Dec. 7, Choral Union will perform Poulenc's Gloria with University Symphony Orchestra at the annual Holiday Concert, and Orff's Carmina burana with the combined ASU Choirs and University Symphony Orchestra for the "Beloved Masterpieces" concert on April 28.

Schildkret is the new director of Choral Union, beginning with the 2003-2004 season. "I am proud and excited to conduct a group with so distinguished a history as the Choral Union," he says. "It is my desire to challenge each member of this ensemble and to take it to new levels of musical excellence."

In addition to concerts, Choral Union international tours take place every second or third summer with 80 to 100 singers from the ensemble joining with outstanding orchestras from the touring area. Recent tours were to Australia in 2000 and Italy in 2002.

Media Contact:
Mary Brennan
480-965-3587
mary.brennan@asu.edu