Meadows Choirs

Ensembles

Dedicated to performing excellence in the choral art, the choral program at ��ר�� has a rich tradition dating back more than 40 years. Throughout this period, members of ��ר�� choral ensembles have gone on to successful careers as vocalists, conductors, music educators, and church music leaders, some achieving national and international acclaim in their field. The tradition continues this year with concerts by our outstanding mixed choirs, Meadows Chorale and Meadows Chamber Singers, and our superb treble ensemble, Concordia. The Meadows Choirs perform an incredible range of music: Western art music from all eras, spirituals, folk songs, world music, jazz and pop arrangements, and new pieces by living composers.

The choirs perform several times annually for enthusiastic audiences—not just in dedicated choral concerts, but at university events, collaborations with other schools at ��ר��, exchanges with high school programs, and international choral festivals. Our singers encounter music from many angles, learning from guest conductors and composers and engaging with our graduate M.M. and M.S.M. programs in choral conducting. Most importantly, students in the ��ר�� Choirs become a tight-knit community that appreciates its members not only as artists and singers, but as people.

The ��ר�� Choirs enthusiastically welcome students from all academic concentrations and class years. For more information about the choral program, contact Professor Margaret Winchell, Director of Choral Activities, at mwinchell@smu.edu or complete the form below.

On this page, you can read more about our choirs, learn about upcoming concerts and follow us on social media. Whether you’re a current student, future Mustang, or friend around town, we hope you’ll reach out and come hear us sing!

2026-27 Choral Audition Information

It is important to us to get to know all of the singers in our choirs as individuals. Auditions are the first step in that process and help us find the right choir for you—one where you will grow, succeed and have fun!

Auditions are held in the week before the fall semester and by appointment before the spring semester. Audition and enrollment information for the fall is available below, along with an audition sign-up form.

Audition & Enrollment Faqs

No. All ��ר�� students, regardless of major or class year, are welcome in the ��ר�� Choirs. All choirs sing a variety of repertoire and perform in two choral concerts per semester. See listing of ensembles below for a description of the ensembles and their rehearsal times.

We are especially interested in welcoming more non-music majors to the choirs. If you sang in choir in high school, love music, or just want a creative outlet, there is a place for you in a choir at ��ר��.

Concordia and Chamber Singers require an audition. If you’re not sure which choir is right for you, please sign up for an audition slot so we can meet you and help find the best ensemble for you.

All are welcome in Meadows Chorale. While no formal audition is required, the director will want to meet with you to get a sense of your musical abilities. If interested, please register for the course (PERE 5113) and the director will reach out to set up a meeting.

We work hard to make these auditions low-key, relaxed and positive—think of it as a "vocal handshake." In the audition you’ll find friendly, welcoming faces who are thrilled that you want to sing on the collegiate level. Once you are placed in a choir, you’ll get to meet and work with some of the kindest, most hardworking students on ��ר��’s campus.

At the audition, we’ll invite you into the room, introduce ourselves and ask you a bit about yourself. You’ll realize immediately that we are delighted to meet you and eager to know more. We’ll then have you sing the following:

Solo Song: Please prepare a short song excerpt, limited to one minute in length, that shows the overall quality of your singing. Art songs, arias, hymns, folk songs, jazz standards and pop songs are all acceptable choices. Even “Happy Birthday” is okay! You may sing unaccompanied if you wish, or bring a copy of your sheet music for our accompanist.
Range Exercises: We will guide you through a few vocalises (“warm-up” exercises) so that directors can understand your range and tone quality.
Pitch Memory: Each student will sing a few short pitch memory exercises. A director will play a series of four to seven pitches and ask you to repeat them on your own.
Sight Reading: Each student will be shown short musical examples to read. It may be a solo line or a page of choral music from which you’ll sing one part. We will provide a starting pitch and give you a moment to look over the music. Do your best, but don’t worry about it. Our goal is to get to know you as much as possible to place you in the choral ensemble where you will grow the most—and have the most fun.

Each director will send an email to welcome you to the ensemble you have been placed in, typically on the same day or the day after auditions conclude. In the fall, this is usually Tuesday or Wednesday in the first week of classes.

Yes. We strongly encourage singers to commit to choir for the full year to ensure continuity in the ensembles, especially in Chamber Singers. However, we accept singers at the start of either semester.

Students interested in joining Concordia or Chamber Singers for the spring semester only should reach out to Professor Winchell (mwinchell@smu.edu) around the time registration begins for the spring semester to schedule an audition. Students interested in Meadows Chorale can register directly for PERE 5113.

Each of the choirs is a 1-credit course. Please register for your choral ensemble as a class. After auditions, if you are placed into a different choir than you registered for initially, then you can change your registration.

There is one exception: if you are an undergraduate student enrolled in 18 credits before adding choir, you can enroll in a special 0-credit section of choir, regardless of which ensemble you’re placed in. Reach out to your choral director if this applies to you.

The ��ר�� Choirs have some features of a student organization—specifically, that they are open to all students and help you get connected to other students. For this reason, we are listed on ��ר��360 as a club. You are welcome to follow us there to stay up-to-date on our concert performances!

��ר�� Choral Ensembles

Meadows Chorale (PERE 5113)

Michael Lysinger, Conductor

This large mixed choir is open through audition to all undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of major. Meadows Chorale fulfills major ensemble requirements for ��ר�� degree programs.

Rehearsals: MWF 3 – 3:50 p.m.

Concordia (PERE 5116)

Margaret Winchell, Conductor

A treble choir that performs an eclectic mix of repertoire from chamber works to opera excerpts to standard choral works. Concordia is open to all undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of major, by audition. This choir fulfills major ensemble requirements for ��ר�� degree programs.

Rehearsals: Tu/Th 12:30 – 1:50 p.m.

Meadows Chamber Singers (PERE 5114)

Margaret Winchell, Conductor

The flagship vocal ensemble of the university, comprising advanced singers of all voice parts. Chamber Singers is open to all undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of major, by audition. This choir fulfills major ensemble requirements for ��ר�� degree programs.

Rehearsals: MWF 12 – 12:50 p.m. and F 1-1:50