Choral Music
The SSU Vocal Program is a thriving wing of the SSU Music Department. Vocal students are given the opportunity to participate in a broad range of performance activities, from major choral-orchestral performances to opera scenes to chamber music to solo recitals. The performance program is augmented by a strong curriculum in theory, ear training, piano and music history, helping the student to develop as a complete musician. Vocal students may select the Applied Music Concentration, a curriculum emphasizing the development of strong technical and interpretive skills. Students audition for private instruction with our voice faculty, and if accepted also enroll in an appropriate Repertory class.
TheSSU Choral Program, under the direction of Robert Worth, maintains a very busy schedule of rehearsals, performances, tours and retreats. The program is augmented by the activities of the Sonoma County Choral Society, a university-community partnership. For full details on the program, visit our website at www.sonoma-choral.org
There are three primary choral ensembles in the Music Department:
The SSU Chorus is a large group including music majors, students from other majors, staff and faculty, and members of the community. The group performs large choral-orchestral works such as the Mozart Requiem and Orff's Carmina Burana, as well as thematic projects such as Music of Latin America and the Long Road to Freedom. Students must pass a simple audition to enter the group, but sight-singing skills are not required.
The Sonoma County Bach Choir is a group of approximately 40 members, including students and community members. The group specializes in the Baroque period, particularly the music of JS Bach. The Bach Choir sings regularly with a period-instrument orchestra, performing in recent years such works as Bach's Saint Matthew Passion and Christmas Oratorio, the Monteverdi Vespers, and programs of Italian music. In addition, the group collaborates frequently with the Santa Rosa Symphony on projects such as Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, the Britten War Requiem, and the Brahms Requiem. The Bach Choir has toured Italy twice, Mexico; Spain, and Germany where it performed four concerts and visited six cities.
The Chamber Singers are a select group of 20 singers. The group performs a variety of music, but focuses particularly on music of the Renaissance and the 20th century. Recent projects include Banchieri's Festino nella Sera del Giovedrasso Avanti Cena and programs of French and Spanish music. The Chamber Singers have toured with the Bach Choir on two occasions, and has participated in the tour of Spain.
