Auditions
Chorus auditions are held each spring for the following season. We occasionally hold special audition opportunities at other times. Interested singers are encouraged to fill out the inquiry form linked below for more information about the next auditions.
The 2025.26 Season will be the 50th anniversary of the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, and we have wonderful repertoire and events in store. Please consider auditioning for this banner year! Auditions will be held this April and May, 2025.
If you are interested in auditioning, please fill out the singer information form here for more details.
Standard Audition Requirements
- A vocal solo (preferably of a classical nature)
- Sight-reading (basic level)
- Messiah excerpt (only required for anyone wishing to be considered for the Messiah series)
- Tonal memory exercises (We play a brief melody and you sing it back.)
- Chromatic vocalise
Paid Core Audition Requirements
- Two classical vocal solos of contrasting style, one in English and the other in a different language.
- Messiah excerpt (required)
- An additional prepared excerpt to be determined
- More advanced sight-reading
- Chromatic vocalise
- Tonal memory exercises (more complex than standard audition)
- Paid Core candidates are strongly encouraged to provide a resume and list of major choral works studied/performed.
MEMBERSHIP
Our membership is made up of singers from a wide variety of backgrounds and occupations. We share a passion for choral singing and the pursuit of musical excellence.
There are no sales expectations or fees required of members (apart from a small, one-time refundable music deposit), and the MSO provides all music. Singers provide their own concert attire and performance folder.
REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES
The Milwaukee Symphony Chorus rehearses and performs in the Bradley Symphony Center in downtown Milwaukee.
We rehearse on Monday evenings (and select Tuesdays) from 7:00-9:45 pm, typically from September to June. During performance weeks we may have rehearsals and/or performances every evening or almost every evening (and sometimes a Sunday matinee). Not every singer performs in every concert series in a given season, so time commitments vary. Some personal practice and preparation is expected between weekly rehearsals.
MSO CHORUS 2025.26 SEASON
October 3- 5, 2025
Beethoven: Symphony #9
Ken-David Masur, conductor
November 21-23, 2024
Handel: Messiah (smaller chorus)
Nicholas McGegan, conductor
December 13- 14, 19-21, 2025
Holiday Pops
Conductor TBD
March 20-22, 2026
Bach: St. Matthew Passion
Ken-David Masur, conductor
June 12-14, 2026
Beethoven: Missa Solemnis
Ken-David Masur, conductor
For other inquiries regarding the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, please contact:
Christina Williams
Chorus Manager
chorus@mso.org