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 | Master of Music in Choral Conducting |
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Conducting
The reputation of Westminster Choir College rests in large part upon the excellence of the choirs and the success of its graduates. The nation’s leading critics and orchestra conductors continue to find the choirs worthy of the highest praise. Alumni lead some of the finest choral programs in schools, churches, communities, and on campuses across the country. Choral music is therefore the focus of all curricula. Opportunities for choral performance on a professional level are unparalleled, and students acquire a strong foundation in conducting technique and knowledge of choral literature.
- Chapel Choir functions both as a training organization and as a performing choir in its own right.
- Schola Cantorum expands on the first year’s experience with further exploration of repertoire and style.
- Symphonic Choir prepares significant works from the standard and contemporary repertoires for performance with the major orchestras of the Eastern seaboard and with visiting orchestras from elsewhere in the United States and abroad.
- Westminster Choir consists of approximately 40 voices selected annually by audition. A national tour is made each year and several additional engagements are accepted. In the early summer the choir travels to Charleston, S.C., where it is the resident choir for the Spoleto Festival, U.S.A.
- Westminster Kantorei is an auditioned choir of 12 to 16 voices specializing in music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
- Williamson Voices is an auditioned group of 32 singers whose repertoire covers a broad spectrum that includes world music and contemporary choral works.
Degrees Offered
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Graduate Conducting Cocentration
All graduate students majoring in Sacred Music and those Music Education majors admitted with conducting as the performance field participate in Symphonic Choir for two semesters and in Master Singers for two semesters. A half recital in conducting is presented at the culmination of study. For Sacred Music majors, the conducting recital is a requirement in addition o the solo recital.
Attendance Policy
All students are expected to attend all rehearsals of the choirs of which they are members. Two unexcused absences per semester are permitted. Any additional unexcused absence results in a grade of “U” (no-credit) for the semester and the necessity of making up the semester’s choir credit before graduation.
Excused absences include:
- Illnesses of sufficient gravity for students to be confined to their rooms and unable to attend any classes. In the event of non-confining illnesses, students are expected to attend rehearsals and give full attention, though they may refrain from singing if the conductor has been informed prior to the beginning of the rehearsal.
- Serious personal illness or death in the family.
Any other problems resulting in an absence must be approved by the conductor. After five absences of any kind the student must contact the conductor personally. Failure to do so results in a grade of “U” for the semester.
Excuse forms must be obtained from the official roll-takers, filled out immediately, and submitted to the conductor’s assistant. Forms should be completed in advance whenever possible. In absolutely no case will an excuse form be approved which is not submitted within two weeks of a student’s return to rehearsals; if an absence is not excused within this two-week period, it will be permanently recorded as unexcused.
All Westminster choral rehearsals begin promptly at the designated times. Any two late arrivals at rehearsal are recorded as one unexcused absence. Excuse forms must be submitted for late arrivals as well as for absences, and the two-week rule applies.
Attendance at all performances and special rehearsals is required. Failure to attend either, except in the case of an excusable absence approved in advance and in writing by the conductor, results in a grade of “U” for the semester. All excuse forms are reviewed by the conductors themselves. Students are advised of unexcused absences which have been recorded.
