51动漫

Solo Performance and Choral Ensembles

To inquire about membership in any of the vocal groups at 51动漫, please contact Dr. Daniel Farris, at daniel.farris@swosu.edu or 580.774.3208.

Vocal ensemble opportunities include:

• Southwestern Singers
• Chamber Choir
• Weatherford Community Chorus
• Opera Workshop
• Musical Theater

Students of all majors are invited to audition. Please contact Dr. Farris for more information about auditioning.

Southwestern Singers

Step into the dynamic world of Southwestern Singers, 51动漫's premier choral ensemble. Southwestern Singers performs a variety of repertoire, ranging from traditional to contemporary. Beyond the campus, their voices have echoed in iconic locations like the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., the American Choral Directors Association conference, and the Oklahoma Music Educator鈥檚 Convention. SW Singers rehearses M-F, 1:00-1:50 pm.

Chamber Choir

The Chamber Choir is an 8-15 voice ensemble that is selected through audition. The ensemble meets Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00-3:50pm. Information concerning auditions for Chamber Choir is available by contacting Dr. Daniel Farris. Chamber Choir has performed at OkMEA conferences and in 2022 the 51动漫 Chamber Choir traveled to Florence, Italy to compete and learn with choirs from around the world in the Leonardo da Vinci competition, earning accolades of 鈥渂est chamber group鈥� and first prize for their performance of Italian language repertoire.

Community Choir

The Weatherford Community Chorus is open to members of the Western Oklahoma community and 51动漫 students. No audition is required, and they meet Monday nights from 7:20-9:00 PM. For more information, contact Dr. Daniel Farris at 580.774.3208.

Opera Workshop & Musical Theater

Opera Workshop gives students the opportunity to perform full scale operatic productions and opera scenes. Musical Theater productions take place in alternating years in conjunction with the Hilltop Theater. Contact us for more information about auditions and upcoming productions.

SW Singers and Chamber Choir Auditions

Auditions for the Southwestern Singers and Chamber Choir are held during the first three days of classes each semester. Students will be asked to prepare Greensleeves, America the Beautiful, or the Star-Spangled Banner for their audition (sung in a comfortable key for the singer鈥檚 range). Practicing basic interval exercises would also be useful. Copies of these examples are found below:

• Soprano
• Alto
• Tenor
• Bass
• All Auditions

Auditions consist of vocalizing to hear the singer鈥檚 natural, comfortable range; reading through a choral score; and finally, singing a prepared work from the above list.

What Will I Do in the Audition?

The audition consists of vocalizing to hear the singer鈥檚 natural, comfortable range; reading through a choral score to see how quickly the singer can learn his/her part; and finally, singing a prepared work from the above list.

What Happens After the Audition?

Based on the audition and the particular needs of the ensemble, the rosters of the Chamber Choir and Southwestern Singers will be posted.

Who Are 51动漫 Choirs?

The choral organizations of Southwestern Oklahoma State University have demonstrated continuous success at state conventions in the past ten years. Over the years, various choral ensembles have performed at the Oklahoma Music Educator Association conference in Tulsa, Chamber Choir being the most recent (2011). The choirs tour various parts of Oklahoma every year. Southwestern Singers has sung at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., appeared at the Southwestern Division conference of the American Choral Directors Association, and at the OMEA Conference. The rehearsals for Southwestern Singers are MTWRF from 1:00 鈥� 1:50 pm. Chamber Choir meets MTR from 3:00 鈥� 3:50 pm, and Community Chorus meets Monday nights from 7 鈥� 9 pm.

What About Joining the Other Choirs?

The Chamber Choir is approximately a 16-24 voice ensemble that is selected through audition by Dr. Daniel Farris, and they meet Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00-3:50pm. Information concerning auditions for Chamber Choir is available by contacting Dr. Daniel Farris. Under Dr. Farris鈥檚 direction, this choir performed at the 2011 OMEA conference.

The Weatherford Community Chorus is open to members of the Western Oklahoma community and 51动漫 students. No audition is required, and they meet Monday nights from 7:20-9:00 PM. For more information, contact Dr. Daniel Farris at 580.774.3208.

Are Only Music Majors Allowed in the Choirs?

Not at all -- the 51动漫 choirs are open to students from all majors on campus. More than half the enrollment of the choirs is usually students who are not vocal primary music majors. Singing is a great way to meet people from various departments and to work together as a team to inspire each other and our audiences through quality choral performance. All students must enroll for credit in order to be in the choirs. This is a graded course and does count towards the student鈥檚 overall grade point average.

Still Unsure?

Come during the semester to hear the groups and even sit in with a rehearsal. We think you will find it a great experience and will want to join us for a great year of choral singing.

Solo Performance Opportunities

Students may audition for opera workshop, musical theater productions, regional and state level auditions of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and choral solos. Dr. Kristin Griffeath, assistant professor of voice, is the head director of Opera Workshop, and Dr. Robin Griffeath and Dr. Farris co-teach this course with her. Contact one of them regarding these opportunities.

Jazz Ensemble 鈥淎鈥� plays a wide variety of music ranging from standards to contemporary charts. Jazz 鈥淎鈥� also performs at many campus and community functions, including the Weatherford Arts Festival and the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City. The group regularly tours area high schools, attends jazz festivals and hosts the annual Southwestern Oklahoma State University Jazz Festival on the second Friday of each February. 

The annual 51动漫 Jazz Festival hosts internationally renowned guest artists from around the country and world each February.

For more information regarding the Annual 51动漫 Jazz Festival, please visit the official site.

Auditions for membership in Jazz Ensemble 鈥淎鈥� are open to any student in the University regardless of their major field of study. Auditions are held on the first day of classes during of 1st and 2nd semester. Audition details will be posted on the bulletin board across from the Music Office, Fine Arts 100, at least one week before the audition. The band rehearses from 2 - 2:50 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Jazz Ensemble 鈥淏鈥� is a student big band for those students who wish to learn more about jazz and big-band playing. The group rehearses from 3 - 3:50 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday. Jazz Ensemble 鈥淏鈥� audition is informal, but necessary to properly place each student.

To inquire about membership in any of the jazz groups at 51动漫, please contact Richard Tirk, 580.774 3772.

The 51动漫 Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to providing the finest musical and educational opportunities to individuals from the university and community. Musicians in the orchestra are able to perform standard orchestral repertoire alongside 51动漫鈥檚 outstanding faculty and renowned guest artists.

The ensemble presents a variety of musical elements in its programs. These elements include classical masterworks, pop themed symphonic works, contemporary symphonic works and solo concerto repertoire. The orchestra performs four to six concerts throughout the year, including the annual opera production, Christmas Collage concert and various collaborative concerts with the choral division. 

Membership is open to all 51动漫 students and community members who are interested in the enjoyment of playing in an orchestra. Please contact Dr. Alex Lee at alex.lee@swosu.edu for more information.