Music

About the Ensemble

The CWU Chamber Choir carries a tradition of excellence in choral performances at the Department of Music.  As the flagship choral ensemble, The CWU Chamber Choir embraces innovation of choral performance in the 21^st century and provides performing experiences ranging from the major choral masterworks and masterpieces of the a cappella tradition, to contemporary and world music, both sacred and secular.   As a professional training ensemble, the Chamber Choir develops skills and professionalism and explores a variety of vocal techniques in relation to the choral literature.

Under the leadership of Dr. Nicole Lamartine, the Chamber Choir was selected as one of six choirs in the US to premiere the 2024 Brock Commission at the NW ACDA conference in Spokane.  Chamber Choir has enjoyed collaborations with Chor Anno, a semi-professional choir of music educators in the northwest, and Tim Ribner, collaborative pianist from Portland, OR.  Additionally, the choir was honored to premiere works by composers Jason Harris, Forrest Pierce, Christian Grases, and André Thomas.   Exemplar video performances can be seen YouTube. 

When the choir was under the direction of Dr. Gary Weidenaar, Ola Gjeilo collaborated with the CWU Chamber Choir several times between 2011 and 2017.   In March, 2011 the choir was invited by Hinako Hovhaness, wife of deceased composer Alan Hovhaness to present his Magnificat (for choir, soloist, and orchestra) to celebrate the 100th year of his birth. The concert was performed in Seattle's Benaroya Hall. 

Each year, the Chamber Choir performs its showcase concert, “Chamber Choir by Candlelight” that inspires the audience’s journey through the musical experience.  In only two years, the concert has become beloved by Ellensburg community.

The CWU Chamber Choir regularly hosts visiting choirs of all ages as they stop by for clinics, exchanges, or shared concerts allowing them to sing in the superior acoustics of the CWU McIntyre Music building Concert Hall, and with the mentorship of the choir members.

The choir is humbled by the consistent support offered at our concerts – it is a reminder of the strong, proud tradition created by alumni who helped build our consistent tradition of excellence. We dedicate our performance to all CWU Chamber Choir alumni. 

Rehearsal Times

• M, T, W, Th, Fr – 11-11:50am
• + 1 hour required sectional 

Past Conference Appearances

Since 2006, the choir has received invitations to appear at several state & regional conferences and one international competition:

• 2008 & 2010 WMEA State Conferences
• 2010 ACDA Northwest Conference
• 2011 Northwest NAfME Conference
• 2015 Tolosako Abesbatza Lehiaketa competition, in Tolosa, Spain
• 2016 ACDA Northwest Conference
• 2020 ACDA Northwest Conference
• 2020 NAfME State Conference
• 2024 ACDA Northwest Conference (Brock Commission Premiere)
• 2024 WMEA State Conference
• 2025 CMS National Conference
• 2026 ACDA Northwest Conference

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“Stunning”, “Intoxicating”, “Genius Programming”

Major Works with Orchestra

2007   Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms
2008   Vaughan Williams Serenade to Music and Beethoven’s Ninth (with University Chorale
2010   Carl Orff's Carmina Burana
2014   Handel's Messiah - with 17 student soloists
2016   Mahler's 2nd Symphony
2018   Brahms' Requiem
2023   Brahms’ Nanie and Fauré’s Requiem (all CWU Choirs)
2025   Carl Orff's Carmina Burana 

Festivals and Outreach

• Fall Choral Festival (November each year)
• Intercollegiate Choral Festival (January odd years)
• Ellensburg Elementary Festival (April each year)
• Choral Extravaganza Day (April each year) 

Auditioning for CWU Chamber Choir

As CWU's premiere choral ensemble, Chamber Choir requires a rigorous audition for entrance along with afull school year commitment (with the exception of required courses for graduation and student teaching). Chamber Choir is only open to returning and transfer students at the sophomore music major level and above.Auditions for all members will take place two days before Fall quarter classes, and prior to Winter and Spring quarters.  All previous members need to audition each year. 

A successful audition includes the winning combination of vocal talent, high-level musicianship skills, commitment, and a positive attitude with a strong work ethic.

Audition Schedule 2025

Please use  Sign-up Genius to choose your audition time (scan QR code). Auditions will be in the Choir Room (McIntyre 153):

• Monday, 9/22 11:00-4:00pm
• Tuesday, 9/23 11:00-4:00pm 

Callbacks

• Thursday, Sept. 25, 11am Concert Hall
• The audition excerpt will be emailed to the callback list by 11:00 AM on Wednesday, 9/24

The Audition – How To Prepare

• Dress professionally, as if this is a job interview. Show your best professionalism, sophistication, and poise. 
• Believe in yourself and what you have to offer.
• Prepare to the best of your ability. 

The Audition – What to Expect

• Sing a prepared piece from memory, a cappella. Art song, folk songs, legit musical theatre, and hymn tunes are appropriate.
• Vocalizations to determine voice quality and range
• Musical Skills: rhythmic and melodic sight reading
• Scales on solfege: Natural/Melodic/Harmonic minor, Whole Tone
• Tonal Memory, Harmony Singing, Vowel Matching, and Language Reading (Diction)
• Watch an audition example!(link is external)

Questions

Contact Dr. La:  nicole.lamartine@cwu.edu