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Performing Groups
Performing Groups
Bowdoin Chamber Choir
An auditioned group of thirty that often sings a cappella, the choir's past performances include Ecuadorian music sung in the Andes, Mendelssohn motets performed in Germany, premieres of new American music for the Society of Composers, Gaelic folksongs sung in Ireland, Messiah with the Portland Symphony, a Jimi Hendrix festival, the Bach Birthday Bash at Merrill Auditorium, and the moresche of Lassus at an ACDA convention in Boston in 2004, for which only two college choirs were accepted out of an auditioned pool of twenty-three. Past guest artists include Gary Hines, Robert Russell, Toshi Shimada, Abraham Adzenyah, Joachim Gehrold, Ray Cornils, Eric Rice, and Yarina.
Repertoire and Concerts
Repertoire included the music of William Byrd and Jean Sibelius, folksong arrangements by Ralph Vaughan Williams, and contemporary American music. The choir performs at the end of each semester, during Parents Weekend and Homecoming, and often participates in choral festivals and tours. The first rehearsal will be Monday, September 3 at 4:15 PM in the Tillotson Room in Gibson Hall.
Rehearsal and Concert Schedule
Monday through Thursday, 4:15 to 5:35 must be reserved for regular rehearsals, although some weeks sectionals will reduce the amount of time spent in rehearsal, and there will be occasional extra rehearsals just before concerts. If you have a lab conflict during these times, please contact the director, Shannon Chase (schase@bowdoin.edu), about your attendance options.
Shannon Chase, director
Visiting Assistant Professor in Music
(207) 721-5669 schase@bowdoin.edu
Listen to our Music or Purchase CDs
Sample songs from our past three albums--Highlights 1994-2004, Music of the Renaissance/Songs of Ecuador, and In Concert--and buy copies of the respective CDs on our Recordings site.
Auditions
Auditions for all students will occur during the first two days of fall classes. Check the first floor of Gibson Hall for posted schedules and sign-up sheets; the auditions occur upstairs in Room 209. They consist of 1) singing "America" or any other tune or piece you would like (in your choice of keys), 2) scales, 3) long notes with changes in volume, 4) rhythmic reading, and 5) sight singing. An accompanist will be provided. Try to arrive a little early to warm up and to fill out an audition form.