Choral Ensembles
The choral program at UWM offers five choirs – Concert Chorale (auditioned mixed choir), Bella Voce (auditioned soprano-alto choir), Kameraden (tenor-bass choir), Alta Voce (soprano-alto choir), and Kameraden Plus (auditioned tenor-bass choir whose members also sing in Kameraden). In addition to their individual performances which typically feature sacred and secular music from a wide variety of styles and time periods, the choirs also combine annually to present a major choral/orchestral work with the UWM Symphony Orchestra.
Ensembles are open to all UWM students, providing opportunities for participation at all levels of skill and expertise, and bringing together musically interested students from across campus.
At A Glance
| Ensemble | Members | Audition |
|---|---|---|
| Concert Chorale | Open to all UWM students | YES |
| Bella Voce | Open to all UWM students | YES |
| Kameraden | Open to all UWM students | NO |
| Kameraden Plus | Open to Kameraden members | YES |
| Alta Voce | Open to all UWM students | NO |
Concert Chorale
Concert Chorale carries a long tradition of the finest choral performances featuring sacred and secular music from a wide variety of styles, cultures, and time periods. Chorale has been selected to perform at numerous state and regional conferences of the American Choral Directors Association and National Association for Music Educators. They had the unique opportunity to sing with the Rolling Stones when they performed in Milwaukee as a part of their Zip Code Tour and with Andrea Bocelli on the Milwaukee stop of his Believe World Tour.
The choir comprises undergraduates and graduate students and includes around 75% music majors and 25% non-majors. Chorale regularly travels and performs off campus, visiting high schools and performing concerts for and with high school, collegiate, and community groups.
Auditions & Membership
Open by competitive audition to all UWM students with at least one year of collegiate choral experience.
Bella Voce
A select group of sopranos and altos with a mission to perform outstanding choral literature at the highest artistic levels. Members of the choir are from all majors and areas of study at UWM. The ensemble performs a diverse selection of secular and sacred choral music in a wide range of styles and genres. Bella Voce has been selected to sing at the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association Conference, and they perform at locations including UWM’s planetarium, area schools, and on campus as part of UWM’s annual choral-orchestral masterworks series.
Auditions & Membership
Open by audition to all UWM sopranos and altos having either a record of singing success or a minimum of one of year collegiate choral experience.
Kameraden
A large group of tenors and basses from all majors and areas of study around UWM. The ensemble performs a diverse selection of both sacred and secular choral music including barbershop, classical, popular, contemporary, and music from a variety of cultures and traditions. Kameraden has been selected to perform at the Wisconsin State Music Conference, and they annually co-host a festival with area high school and collegiate tenor-bass ensembles. Members are eligible to audition for Kameraden Plus, a select tenor-bass ensemble performing more advanced repertoire that meets one day per week.
Auditions & Membership
Open to all UWM students interested in singing tenor or bass. Singers complete a short voice placement consisting mostly of vocal warm-ups to allow the director to determine voice part. Singers interested in Kameraden Plus audition during the first week of classes (no additional registration is required for Kameraden Plus).
Alta Voce
Alta Voce is a large soprano-alto choir composed of singers from academic areas across the UWM campus. They sing a wide variety of both secular and sacred choral music in all styles and genres, specializing in performance of the wonderfully diverse repertoire written especially for treble voices. Alta Voce regularly performs large choral masterworks with the other UWM choirs and the UWM Symphony Orchestra.
Auditions & Membership
Open to all UWM students interested in singing soprano or alto. Singers complete a short voice placement consisting mostly of vocal warm-ups to allow the director to determine voice part.
Music Programs
Music studios and ensembles are connected to a variety of academic programs, including majors, minors, certificates and graduate programs. This is a full list of programs offered by the Department of Music.
Faculty & Directors
Which faculty you have within this program is dependent upon your chosen courses or interests. For a list of all Music faculty and staff please click the button below.
- Associate Professor, Choral Conducting
- Director, Choral Activities, Concert Chorale, Kameraden
- durlam@uwm.edu
- 414-229-2869
- Music Building 165
- Assistant Professor, Choral Music Education
- Area Head, Music Education
- Director, Bella Voce
- huttonj@uwm.edu
- 414-251-8155
- Music Building 159
Undergraduate Entrance Auditions
Music BA/BFA enrollment for Spring & Fall 2027.
• Friday, December 4, 2026
• Friday, February 12, 2027
• Monday, February 15, 2027 (voice only)
• Friday, March 5, 2027
• Friday, March 12, 2027 (voice only)
• Friday, April 2, 2027
• Or by video submission
Graduate Applications
Fall: March 1 | Spring: December 1
Applications submitted after these dates will be reviewed on a rolling basis and may not be processed in time for the intended semester.
Undergraduate Programs
Scotlyn Haverkorn, music-admission@uwm.edu
Graduate Programs
Tim Noonan, music-grad-admission@uwm.edu
General Info & Questions
Contact Form | 414-229-4763