Vocal Ensembles
Welcome to the choral program at Moravian University! Membership in any of the Moravian University choral ensembles is open by audition to all Moravian students, faculty, and staff, as well as anyone from the Lehigh Valley community.
We have four ensembles available to all students, faculty, staff, and community:
- Blue Stars (treble voices) - 30-60 minutes on Mondays between 4:15pm-6:15pm
- Grey Hounds (tenor and baritone voices) - 30-60 minutes on Mondays between 4:15pm-6:15pm
- Moravian University Choir* (mixed voices) - Wednesdays 4:15p-6:15pm
- Moravian Chorale* (select mixed voices) - Wednesdays - usually starting around 5:45pm
*Note: you must be in Blue Stars or Grey Hounds in order to sing in the University Choir and Chorale.
Auditions
- If you have not sung in Moravian University Choral ensembles before, contact Dr. Zerkle at zerkle@moravian.edu
- Returning members need not audition, but should contact Dr. Zerkle in advance of the start of the semester and fill out this returning member form.
For further information about the vocal music program at Moravian University, please contact the Director of Vocal Music, Dr. Paula Zerkle at zerkle@moravian.edu.
Student Registration
All students who are not music majors, including music minors, who wish to earn M6 (Aesthetic Experience) LinC credit, should register for MUS 150. You will need to participate in the University Choir for six semesters and write a short paper at the end of each term.
All other students, including music majors, participating in the University Choir should register for MUS 151. Students who are not music majors will earn a half unit of elective credit after participating for 4 semesters and a full unit of elective credit after 6 semesters.
We have other vocal ensembles available in the music department as well. Contact the director for more information.
Moravian University Choir and Moravian Chorale
Director: Dr. Paula Zerkle
Audition Info: Auditions are held on the first day of each semester.
Rehearsals: Wednesdays 3:45pm-5:45pm in Peter Hall, South Campus
The Moravian University Choir (SATB) and its approximately 75 women and men have been an integral performing ensemble of Moravian's noted Department of Music for over seven decades. They are featured in the December Vespers services and perform a large concert, often with orchestra, in the spring semester.
The choir has sung around the United States, the Caribbean, and in many countries in Europe and the Middle East, including England, France, Germany, Holland, Austria, Russia, Greece, Czechoslovakia and Israel. In January 1998, the choir toured England and Scotland with the Women's Chorus and Wind Ensemble, and in the spring of 2001, the same ensembles toured Germany. They have performed several times at the Czech Embassy in Washington D.C. and at Home Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, N.C.. In 2008, members of the choir had a 12-day performance tour in Germany, Italy, and Austria.
The group consists primarily of Moravian University students, and although many of them are music majors, many come from such diverse majors as biology, chemistry, history, education, math, and English. The ensemble is also open to alumni and members of the Lehigh Valley community. One must be a member of either the Blue Stars or Grey Hounds in order to participate in this ensemble.
The Choir meets on Wednesdays from 3:45pm-5:45pm in Peter Hall on South Campus. Music majors and other majors who want to earn elective credit or fulfill the Learning in Common M6 requirement must participate in the Choir and either the Blue Stars or Grey Hounds.
The Moravian Chorale (SATB) is a subset of the University Choir and performs additional more intense, challenging repertoire. They also meet on Wednesdays at the end of the University Choir rehearsal time. Any singers in the choir may opt to sing in this ensemble, but their participation must be approved by the director. This ensemble is required for vocal majors.
Blue Stars and Grey Hounds
Director: Dr. Paula Zerkle
Audition Info: Auditions are held on the first day of class in each semester
Rehearsals: Mondays in Peter Hall, alternating times between 3:45pm-4:45pm and 4:45pm-5:45pm
The Blue Stars (SSAA) and Grey Hounds (TTBB) meet on Mondays and alternate rehearsal times each week between 3:45pm-4:45pm and 4:45pm-5:45pm in Peter Hall, South Campus. They perform in the Christmas Vespers services in December and in a spring concert in April. Anyone wanting to participate in the mixed ensembles must also sing in one of these ensembles. The ensemble consists of Moravian University students, alumni, and members of the Lehigh Valley community.
Vocalis
Director: Dr. Paula Zerkle
Audition Info: Members of Vocalis are selected by the director from the Moravian Chorale.
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 6:00pm-7:00pm in Peter Hall, South Campus
Vocalis is a small, mixed, a cappella vocal ensemble of 8-12 singers, whose members are chosen from the Moravian Chorale. They perform for functions on- and off-campus, and their repertoire includes a range of styles including early music, vocal jazz, and recently composed works.