Below you'll find information about our ensembles and a pre-audition form to fill out if you're interested in singing with us.

Ensemble info:

Chorus is typically a larger choir and is open to all members of the Reed community including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends. No previous experience is required, just the ability to match pitch. Chorus meets once a week on Wednesdays from 6:10-8:30pm. You can take it for no credit or for 0.5 credit. Due to the pandemic, membership is currently limited to ~50 singers.

Collegium Musicum is a smaller chamber ensemble of 16-24 student vocalists. Previous choral experience and ability to read Western/modern music notation are expected, though not necessarily required if one has substantial experience making music by ear. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Collegium meets twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 4:45-6:05pm. You can take it for no credit or for 0.5 credit.

Soprano/Alto Ensemble is our newest group and currently meets at the end of Chorus rehearsals on Wednesday evenings. Membership is open to sopranos and altos who currently sing Chorus and/or Collegium.

All choirs sing a wide array of music of varied languages, traditions, and time periods. We offer one concert a semester, and Collegium will usually sing one additional performance early in the spring semester as part of the music department’s Fridays @ 4 concert series.

Audition info:

My goal is to make this audition process as a low-stress as possible while still getting a clear sense of your voice and current abilities. If this is all new to you, no worries. We'll take it easy.

Prior to your audition, please prepare to sing up to a minute of a song/piece that you feel showcases your voice at its most comfortable and expressive.

At your audition, we'll take a moment to look over your pre-audition form together, then I'll hear your prepared song. You will sing with your mask on, so make sure to practice a bit that way.

After that, we'll do a few vocal exercises to get a sense of your range and vocal qualities, some sight-singing at a level you feel comfortable with, and finally some pitch and rhythm matching to get a sense of how you learn by ear.

Please take a moment now to fill out the form below so I can get to know you a bit before we meet. Once you've submitted your form, I'll reach out about scheduling an audition time.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at shohei@reed.edu. I look forward to meeting you!

Warmly,
Shohei Kobayashi
Assistant Professor of Music