Choral Ensembles
The choral program at UWM offers four choirs – the flagship Concert Chorale, Bella Voce (advanced soprano-alto choir), Kameraden (tenor-bass choir), and Alta Voce (soprano-alto choir). 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.
Please fill out the ensemble interest form below to join any of our music ensembles, or if you have any questions.
Concert Chorale
As the most select UWM choral ensemble, Concert Chorale carries a long tradition of the finest choral performances including secular and sacred music from all historical periods and styles. 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 group was a national finalist for the 2018-2018 American Prize in Choral Performance (College/University Division).
The choir comprises undergraduates and graduate students and includes around 75% music majors and 25% non-majors. In fall 2018, the group recorded the 10th and final version of the song “This Time Tomorrow” for the This Time Tomorrow Foundation – an organization providing direct financial support to individuals and families fighting all forms of cancer. As a part of this project, Chorale performed at the TTT Storytellers’ Gala where they combined with the band Candlebox for a performance of their hit song “Far Behind.”
Auditions & Membership
Open to all UWM students by competitive audition to students with at least one year of collegiate choral experience.
Bella Voce
A select group of singers with a mission to sing and perform outstanding treble 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 both secular and sacred choral music in all styles and genres, and sings concerts both on campus and around the greater Milwaukee region, including major works with the UWM Symphony Orchestra each fall.
Auditions & Membership
Open to all UWM students by audition to sopranos and altos having either a record of significant singing success (superior ratings at state solo festivals, selection for state honors or all-state choirs, etc.) or a minimum of one of year collegiate choral experience.
Kameraden
A large group of singers with a mission to sing and perform outstanding choral literature for both bass clef and mixed choirs 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 both sacred and secular choral music including barbershop, classical, popular, contemporary, and world music. Singers perform concerts both on campus and around the greater Milwaukee region, including major works with the UWM Symphony Orchestra each fall.
Auditions & Membership
Open to all UWM students interested in singing tenor or bass after passing an informal audition which will consist mostly of vocal warm-ups to allow the directors to determine voice part.
Alta Voce
Composed of undergraduate singers from many academic areas, Alta Voce sings a wide variety of both secular and sacred choral music in all styles and genres, specializing in the 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 after passing an informal audition which will consist mostly of vocal warm-ups to allow the directors 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 follow the link 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
- Director, Bella Voce
- huttonj@uwm.edu
- 414-251-8155
- Music Building 159
Entrance Audition
For Music BA, BFA and Masters programs in Spring and Fall 2025.
• December 6, 2024
• February 7, 2025
• February 17, 2025
• March 7, 2025
• April 4, 2025
Undergraduate Programs
Kay Speidel, music-admission@uwm.edu
Graduate Programs
Tim Noonan, music-grad-admission@uwm.edu
General Info & Questions
Contact Form | 414-229-4763
