Concert Choir

The Juniata Concert Choir performs both sacred and secular music spanning five centuries and many cultures. We perform on campus each semester and tour internationally every spring. The fall semester repertoire is typically accompanied, while the spring semester repertoire is usually a cappella. Membership is by audition.

Composed of 40 students from the College, the members of the Concert Choir come from many academic disciplines available at Juniata. Although there is no music major or minor at Juniata, choir members’ dedication and commitment to sharing the beauty of choral music provides meaningful experiences for both singer and listener. Recent Concert Choir tours include Costa Rica (2015), Germany (2015), Hungary/Czech Republic (2016), Ireland (2017), Vietnam (2018), Germany/Switzerland/France (2019 and 2022), Morocco (2019), Scotland (2022), Barbados (2023), and the Czech Republic (2025).

Concert Choir members earn one academic credit per semester. Auditions for new members take place at the beginning of the fall semester.

If you have any questions about Concert Choir, please contact Dr. John Bukowski, Conductor.

Give to the Concert Choir

Auditions

Auditions include:

Your Range - Using simple patterns we’ll move up and down your range to see how high and how low you sing.
Your Tonal Memory - Using short melodies played on the piano, you’ll sing them back to see how developed your tonal memory is.
Your Sight-Reading - Using brief one-line melodies, we’ll see how well you sing at sight without the piano. If you haven’t learned how to do this, we skip this part.
“My Country ‘Tis of Thee” - We’ll supply the words to this familiar melody in case you forget. You do not need to prepare a separate piece for the audition.

Typical Concert Choir Activities

Weekly Rehearsals

Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 90 minutes each
One Hour Sectional, usually Sunday evening

Fall Retreat

First weekend of the Fall semester
Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday activities (workshops, rehearsals, social time)

Fall Concert

Three evening dress rehearsals
Sunday 3:00 p.m. concert in early November

Spring Retreat

First weekend of Spring semester
Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday activities (workshops, rehearsals, social time)

Tour Dress Rehearsals

Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings before departure

International Tour

Spring Break, one week in early to mid-March

Tour Homecoming Concert

Two evening dress rehearsals
Sunday 3:00 p.m. concert usually in late March

Baccalaureate Service

Friday night of Commencement Weekend in May

Costs involved in Concert Choir include a one-time concert attire charge ($110 for dresses and $150 for tuxedos), spring international tour (typically between $1200 and $1800 billed through Juniata; plus $250-300 for food and other expenses), and miscellaneous costs (usually about $100 per year).