Department of Music
Choral and Vocal Study
Ensemble singing and private vocal instruction are an important part of campus life at Haverford and Bryn Mawr. Four established vocal artists provide rigorous training that is rooted in the classical tradition and extends to a wide range of genres. The Department of Music sponsors two choral ensembles, The Chamber Singers and The Haverford-Bryn Mawr Chorale. Both groups are open to all students by audition and will be directed for 2023-24 by saucoin [at] haverford.edu (Dr. Scott AuCoin) while Dr. Zullinger is on sabbatical.
Chamber Singers
The Chamber Singers of Haverford and Bryn Mawr Colleges, a mixed choir of 24-28 voices, perform challenging repertoire ranging from the Renaissance to the present day in a variety of languages and styles.
In addition to students majoring in music, the ensemble also attracts students from many other majors who wish to perform challenging choral works in a more intimate setting. The Chamber Singers have collaborated with arts organizations and colleges throughout the northeastern United States and frequently explores music from cultures that are not widely represented in the greater choral world. The group has also undertaken numerous foreign and domestic tours.
Rehearsals for Chamber Singers are typically held on Monday and Thursday, 4:40-6:20 p.m. at either Jaharis Recital Hall on the Haverford Campus or the Goodhart Music Room on the Bryn Mawr Campus.
For further information contact Scott AuCoin saucoin [at] haverford.edu.
- Sample Repertoire
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Performance Schedule
Check the Department of Music Calendar for regular updates!
- Thursday, December 14, 2023, 8:00 p.m. – Winter Concert (Haverford Jaharis Recital Hall)
- Thursday, May 2, 2024, 5:00 p.m. – Rotunda Concert (Haverford KINSC Rotunda)
- Friday, May 17, 2024, 8:30 p.m. – Commencement Concert (Bryn Mawr Great Hall)
- Additional performances to be announced
- Videos
Chorale
The Chorale is a Wednesday night institution in bi-college life. An oratorio choir of 120 singers, the Chorale performs a major work with orchestra each semesterunder the direction of Scott AuCoin for the 2023-24 academic year.
Members include bi-college students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends from the surrounding community. The orchestra is customarily made up of professional musicians, advanced bi-college musicians, and music students from Curtis and Temple. Soloists have included students who are members of Chorale or Chamber Singers and prominent guest artists.
Rehearsals are typically Wednesday evenings in Jaharis Recital Hall on the Haverford Campus. Chorale rehearses from 7:00-9:15 p.m. in Jaharis Recital Hall.
For further information contact Scott Aucoin saucoin [at] haverford.edu.
- Sample Repertoire
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Performance Schedule
- Sunday, December 10, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. (Marshall Auditorium)
- Sunday, April 28, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. (Marshall Auditorium)
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Recordings
- Spring 2023 Concert
- Fall 2022 Concert
- Spring Concert 2022
- Fall Concert 2021
- “Dona nobis pacem” from Mass in B Minor (J. S. Bach)
- Excerpts from Rejoice in the Lamb (Benjamin Britten) and Te Deum in C Major (Joseph Haydn)
Auditions for Spring 2024
Chorale
Auditions for Chorale can be done up to January 31, 2024. Those seeking an audition should reach out to Dr. Scott AuCoin directly saucoin [at] haverford.edu (via email). Singers should expect the following at the audition:
- Prepare a small excerpt of an art song, aria, musical theatre piece, folk song, hymn melody, etc..anything that shows your voice! Be prepared to sing a cappella.
- Additional exercises will be used to determine range, pitch accuracy, musical literacy, etc.
For further questions, please email Dr. Scott AuCoin (saucoin [at] haverford.edu).
Private Voice Lessons
If you wish to take private voice lessons and have done so before, please contact your teacher. If you are new to private lessons, you must complete an audition and gain permission from Dr. Scott AuCoin prior to signing up on Bionic. Students interested in an audition should reach out to Dr. Scott AuCoin directly saucoin [at] haverford.edu (via email). Students should expect the following at the audition:
- You must complete an audition to sign up for private voice lessons.
- Prepare a small excerpt of an art song, aria, musical theatre piece, folk song, hymn melody, etc..anything that shows your voice! Be prepared to sing a cappella.
- Additional vocal exercises will be used to determine range, pitch accuracy, etc.
- If you are accepted into a voice study, you are REQUIRED to participate in either Chamber Singers and/or Chorale.
Private Study Voice Lessons
Students can take private voice lessons for one-half graded credit per semester, either with one of our teachers who regularly teach on campus and whose credentials are approved by the Music Department.
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Setting up Lessons for Credit
- Students must audition with Scott AuCoin to be eligible for private vocal study. First consideration will be given to students who are enrolled in ensembles and wish to study for credit. Based on successful completion of your audition, Scott AuCoin will determine which studios currently have openings. If you have a preference, you are welcome to state that, but there is no guarantee of placement with a particular teacher.
- In order to receive credit, you must register with the college Registrar (course number MUSCH209). To receive credit for the semester, students must complete a minimum of 10 lessons, attend voice classes with their teacher as announced, and sing a jury at the end of the semester, to include two contrasting selections performed from memory. Students who are taking voice lessons are required to participate in either Chorale or Chamber Singers concurrently.
- Subsidies are available for students who are studying for credit and participating in a department choral ensemble. In order to apply for a subsidy, you must be registered for credit with the Registrar andfill out the online departmental “private subsidy form. Subsidy amounts vary by semester, depending on the demand.
- Your final grade will be determined by Dr. AuCoin and at least one other member of the music department faculty based on your performance at the jury and the evaluation of your work during the semester by your teacher. Emphasis will be placed on your technical and musical progress since the beginning of the semester and your mastery of the songs performed at the jury.
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Private Lesson Additional Information
Are voice lessons for credit covered by regular tuition?
Unfortunately, no. As with most smaller colleges, the size of the faculty is too limited to include private teachers for voice, piano, and orchestral instruments, so the student pays the teacher directly. However, a special alumni fund is available to help subsidize the cost of lessons. Lessons tend to run $80 per hour lesson, with 10 lessons per semester required to receive credit. Subsidies range from $150 - $750 per semester depending on student involvement in the program. Yes, you can take Choral Conducting (MUSCH320), which is taught on a rotating basis, or an independent study course with the consent of the Director of Choral and Vocal Studies.