UMKC CHOIRS
About the Choirs
The Conservatory choirs offer choral performance at the highest artistic level to all UMKC students, faculty, staff, and community members. If you want to sing – there is a place for you at UMKC!
Each of the Conservatory choral ensembles is guided by a philosophy that seeks to engage its students and audiences to diverse choral repertoire – featuring great choral masterworks and music written by living composers, including UMKC faculty Chen Yi and Zhou Long.
Through the rehearsal and performance, students explore a wide variety of musical genres, compositional techniques, traditions, and expressive possibilities. This range of experiences affords singers an opportunity to receive a comprehensive musical education through an engaging and inspiring process of rehearsal and performance.
Interested in singing with us?
If you are interested in joining one of the choral ensembles please email Dr. Charles Robinson or Dr. Jennifer Sengin and complete the choral interest form above.
NEW: High School Choral & Vocal Arts Institute (CVAI)
June 7–11, 2026
Designed for rising 9–12 grade singers, this new program launching for the first time in 2026(!) offers an immersive week working with UMKC faculty and graduate students on ensemble singing, vocal technique, sight-singing, and overall musicianship training. Students will also explore elective sessions such as conducting, songwriting, audition preparation, leadership development, and optional solo masterclasses. The week culminates in a student showcase performance.
If you are interested in learning more about this program, please complete this INTEREST FORM
If you have any questions, please email Westin Sorrel (wsw45@umkc.edu) or Dr. Jennifer Sengin (jsengin@umkc.edu).
Spring 2026 Choral Auditions
Sign up for a choral audition on the choral audition website:
Choral auditions for the Spring 2026 semester will take place IN PERSON in Grant Hall Room 331A. Please sign up for a 5-minute time slot using the link below:
Spring 2026 UMKC Choral Audition Sign-up HERE
UMKC Choral Ensemble Placement Hearings
Come sing with us, bring a friend, make a new friend!
Thursday, January 22, 2026 (Grant Hall Room 331A)
- 1:00-4:00pm
Friday, January 23, 2026 (Grant Hall Room 331A)
- 10:00-11:30am
- 2:00-4:00pm
If you cannot attend any of these audition times, please email Dr. Jennifer Sengin at: jsengin@umkc.edu
UMKC Choirs welcome anyone to “walk-in” for a placement hearing. We want to meet you! Come by to get a cookie and a smile. We encourage you to sign up for your audition time in advance by filling out the following survey:
Spring 2026 UMKC Choral Audition Sign-up HERE
First Week of Classes
- Tuesday, January 20, 2026 – First Choral Union rehearsal.
- Wednesday, January 21, 2026 – First rehearsal for Conservatory Singers, Conservatory Concert Choir, and Chamber Singers.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS and CHORAL UNION HEARINGS
- All Conservatory Choral ensembles are open to UMKC students in all majors, alumni, faculty, staff and community members (18 years and older).
- Students taking applied voice lessons – Prepare and sing a standard piece of your choice: an art song, aria, or folk song.
- All other auditionees – You are welcome to sing a prepared song of your choice, but this is not required.
- An accompanist will be provided; if you have selected a solo piece of your choice, please bring a score for the accompanist.
- The faculty will lead you through a few vocal exercises to determine your range and voice part.
- The audition will last approximately 7 minutes.
UMKC CONSERVATORY CHOIRS
There is a place for you to sing at UMKC! We look forward to hearing you.
Choral ensembles include: Conservatory Singers, Conservatory Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and Choral Union.
Have questions about choral auditions? Contact Dr. Jennifer Sengin at jsengin@umkc.edu
Sincerely,