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Thank You!Thank you to all of our alumni, families, and friends of Marquette Chorus for your support over the past year. With your help we were given many opportunities to expand the choral program at Marquette University. We had the ability to travel to Washington D.C. and had unforgettable experiences while there. Singing in front of the Lincoln and WWII Memorials are memories that mean so much to each of us, but meant equally as much to those who came out to our performances. These memories are forever cherished. Thank You. |
History of the Marquette University ChorusVocal music at Marquette University dates back all the way to 1912, when Mr. Liborius Semmann, Mus. D. became Dean of the Marquette College of Music. He also should be recognized for his composition of the University Anthem “Hail, Alma Mater”. By the 1920’s the College of Music had the largest enrollment of any unit on campus, but by 1930 this number drastically dropped due to the Great Depression. This ultimately caused the College of Music to close on July 1, 1930. However this did not keep MU Chorus from following their love of music. In 1932, Mr. William E. Brennan, an English Professor, took over direction of MU Chorus. By 1933, only 3 years after the closing of the College of Music, MU Chorus performed at the World’s Fair in Chicago. For the next 70 years, MU Chorus has continued a rich tradition of spreading the “Marquette Sound”. About the MU Chorus ProgramThe University Chorus, the longest standing choral organization on campus, is a mixed choir of men and women. All interested singers have a place in the the Marquette Choir Program. The program has four choruses - the University Chorus, the University Women's Chorus, the University Men's Chorus and the Marquette Chamber Choir. Members of the mens' and womens' ensembles must also be members of the mixed chorus. Students have the choice to take Chorus for either 1 credit hour per semester, or to pursue a 0 credit option if they desire. All choral ensembles can be used to complete the ensemble participation requirements of the new Music Minor. |
MU Chorus singing "John the Revelator" at our 2010 Spring Concert |
MU Chorus singing The University Anthem "Hail, Alma Mater" at our 2010 Spring Concert |
Why Join MU Chorus?
Dan Statter (Senior, President):
"Singing and making music has always been an important part of my life, and Marquette Chorus provides me an opportunity to make meaningful, and moving music with my choir family. I may be a business major, but the memories with choir (Performing in front of 1500 people at our annual Lessons and Carols Concert, singing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. and performing the National Anthems at the basketball games) will forever remain the highlight of my collegiate career."
John Dey (Junior):
"I knew from the first second coming to MU, I wanted to be in the chorus. I was always in some sort of chorus through my schooling, so it only seemed fit to join the chorus at MU. Before I joined though, I thought a lack of a music major at Marquette would make the chorus mediocre because no real musicians were apart of it. But, if there is one thing I learned over the past 2 years, was that even though everyone in the chorus had an agenda that was not completely focused on music, for those couple hours a week we sang together, everyone was a musician, releasing there minds, which would otherwise be trapped in an academic task. I also became close with the people in the chorus because we all shared something deeper then just the notes on the page, we shared our joy of music. Through the MU Chorus, we all became a family that would never be able to come together without the chorus. Join the MU Chorus, because there is nothing on campus quite like it."
Sarah Kikkert (Junior, Tour Coordinator):
"Coming from a very small chamber ensemble in high school, I was worried I would be lost in the numbers of the Marquette University Chorus; I was pleasantly surprised. My years with choir have far surpassed any expectations I may have had and I am nothing but family amongst my fellow singers. Our passion for music brings us together--and we sure make some beautiful music--but our dedication and drive make us so close. The chorus is so much more to me than another class or "extracurricular," it's a huge part of my life at Marquette."
Grace O’Brien (Sophomore):
"I went into choir not knowing anyone and not entirely enthusiastic about the program. However, I stuck with it and through my experiences I have made life long friends and memories I will cherish. I highly recommend going on tour, this past year D.C was a blast! It is a ton of work, but in the end every bit of it is worth it. I am glad that I chose to stick with the program because it really did shape my freshman year at Marquette."
Erin Shawgo (Senior):
"I have really enjoyed my time in MU Choir and think it has been a great experience and class to incorporate into my curriculum. We get to sing at such a wide range of venues and really reach out to the Marquette and Milwaukee community, and sometimes even broader such as with our 2010 Spring Tour to Washington D.C., and share our love of music and singing! It is wonderful to be able to continue in music even though I am not a music major."
Upcoming Events
Visit our table at 2010 O-Fest: September 2, from 1:00pm-4:00pm at the Marquette Central Mall
Annual MU Chorus Fall Retreat to Port Washington: Friday, September 24 at 5:15pm through Sunday, September 26, at 1:00pm
Family Weekend Concert: Friday, October 1 and Saturday October 2
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