About

The University of Warwick Chamber Choir (UWCC) is an student-run mixed choir that prides itself on performing to a high standard, whilst maintaining an ethos of friendliness and fun. This term, UWCC will return to its regular schedule of in-person rehearsals and concerts under the direction of Associate Artist Suzzie Vango .

UWCC’s wide ranging repertoire spans sacred, secular and folk music, performing everything from Byrd and Handel to Cole Porter with the same dedication and understanding. In the past, UWCC have appeared on BBC national television in the Sainsbury’s Choir of the Year competition, live television in Greece, on Central Television with Caliche with whom a CD of Ariel Ramirez’ Latin American Misa Criolla and Navidad Nuestra was recorded (the British première recording), and have given performances of The Messiah and the Mozart Requiem with world famous orchestras like the English Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Mozart Players. Most recently, UWCC and the University of Warwick chamber orchestra performed Mozart's Requiem at All Saint's Church, Leamington Spa, snippets of which can be found here.

UWCC performs in a variety of locations, both in Warwickshire and further a field, with annual tour destinations including the UK, Spain, Germany, the Republic of Ireland, Belgium, France. Our recent tour to Cornwall included a concert at a local church, an impromptu performance at the Minack Theatre, a day trip to Truro and other social activities.

Chamber Choir rehearsals take place on Tuesdays, 5-7pm in the Ensemble Room in the Music Centre.

Auditions

Our 2023 auditions will take place on Tuesday 3rd and Thursday 5th October (week one), with a sign up sheet in the Music Centre.

Stage 1: Individual Auditions

Stage 1 Auditions will last for 10 minutes and will be run by Suzzie Vango (Conductor of Chamber Choir). You will be required to sing a short piece (up to 3 mins in length); this can be accompanied or unaccompanied, but please do bring an additional copy of the music if you require accompaniment. There will also be some short vocal exercises to explore range and vocal technique, and some sight reading.

Stage 2: participation in the Free Concert 

All those who are shortlisted after the auditions week one will be (asked) expected to participate in the Free Concert and the associated rehearsals, as part of the ongoing audition process. The dates are as follows:

• Thurs 5th October: rehearsal, 7pm - 9.30pm, Woods Scawen Room
• Tues 10th October: rehearsal time tbc,
• Wed 11th October, FREE Concert, 7pm, Butterworth Hall

After the Free Concert, places will be offered to successful candidates, and rehearsals start the following week.

Contacts

Gabe Armstrong - President

Hi! My name is Gabe, and I will be your president for 23/24. Chamber choir has been a massive part of my uni experience, and I cannot wait to give back to the society that has hosted so many incredible memories over the last 2 years. Whether you have been singing all your life in a choir, or feel like giving the experience a try, I would urge anyone reading this to audition - you not only join an incredible choir but a genuine community of great people. My time at uni would not have been half as memorable as it has been if I didn’t turn up to try out in week 1, so I really hope that you decide to give it a go.

If you are feeling worried at all about the audition process, are at a slight loss as to what piece to sing, or have any more questions at all then please feel free to email me at Gabriel.armstrong@warwick.ac.uk. Until then, we will have some welcome events in freshers week that anyone is encouraged to come along to, so be sure to check out our Instagram @warwickchamberchoir for updates as they come. I look forwards to meeting everyone!