(MUSIC 116/117/216/217/316/317/416/417)
Kate Steiner, director, CGUC Office 1106
Tel: 885-0220 x24244
Overview: The Chapel Choir is one of the Music Department’s three choirs, connected especially with the department’s Church Music and Worship program. Its home is the Conrad Grebel University College (CGUC) Chapel, where it sings as part of the worship life of the College, mainly during Wednesday afternoon chapels. For more information about Chapel Choir and the CGUC Chapel services, see Chapel Ensemble Webpage
Admission to the choir is by audition. Any UW student or staff may audition; no prior choral experience is necessary. The choir is normally around 15 singers; the actual size varies from term to term.
The purpose of the Chapel Choir is:
- to introduce students to a range of choral repertoire appropriate to Christian worship
- to provide musical leadership in worship at weekly CGUC Chapel services
- to improve our individual and collaborative skills as musicians
Activities & Requirements:
- Engaged participation in all rehearsals, including preparation for rehearsals. We regularly sing in Chapel worship services following rehearsals on Wednesdays.
- Participation in all performances, including: singing at CGUC Chapel services most weeks
- Sunday morning local church visit
- A term end choral service: 5:00-6:30pm (approximately), December 3, 2025
Costs: music is supplied at no cost to singers. Any lost or damaged music must be paid for.
Selection process:
The Chapel Choir is open to all students, with screening for parts by audition. Audition information is given below; if you audition and are not chosen, participate in other musical activities if possible and re-audition in a later term. A description of all the music ensembles and other events can be found on the Music Department web page and elsewhere. Audition to all ensembles is by audition and at the discretion of the Director.
Registration procedure:
Registering for credit is recommended but not required. If this is your first term in a Music ensemble, register for MUSIC 116; otherwise, you should know what to do. You may register before auditioning, but if you are not accepted into an ensemble, be sure to drop the course from your schedule.
Audition procedure:
The audition sheet is posted online. You can audition after the first rehearsal, but you must audition before Monday, September 16. The purpose of the audition is to check vocal range and quality, and your music reading ability. Learn Amazing Grace to prepare any music for the audition (on the audition website). If you have further questions, please contact the Music Office.
phone: 885-0220 x 24256; or email a26allen@uwaterloo.ca (Angelica Allen, Ensemble Coordinator)
NOTE: All new singers must audition. Returning choir members need not audition.
Email Kate Steiner if for a special appointment if you absolutely cannot audition during the posted times.
Audition schedule:
Location: CGUC Chapel
Wednesday Sept 3 from 4-5:30pm
Friday, Sept 5, from 4-5:00pm
Monday, Sept 8 from 4-5:30pm
Rehearsal Schedule:
Mondays 4:00-5:45 pm
Wednesdays 4:00-4:20 pm (Followed by Chapel, 4:30-5:15)
FIRST REHEARSAL: Monday, Sept 15 at 4pm
All rehearsals are held in the Chapel.
Attendance Policy:
Attendance of each member at rehearsals and performances is expected so the choir can lead the College in worship together.
- In exceptional circumstances you may be excused from a rehearsal, but it must be cleared with the Director ahead of time. I must be notified in advance, but preferably at or before the rehearsal preceding the absence, and I would like to discuss the conflict with you personally. If necessary, contact me by email at ksteiner@uwaterloo.ca.
- Beginning the third full week of classes (September 15), after four unexcused absences you will be asked to drop the choir and will not receive credit for the ensemble.
- Because of the collaborative nature of choir it is important to be at every rehearsal. If you are actively sick, please notify me ahead of time to be excused. If you are recovering, but can't sing, please sit in the back to listen to rehearsal.
Note: Any absence due to anything other than illness must be arranged with me ahead of time.
Where a scheduled rehearsal or service conflicts with a scheduled class or exam in one of you other courses, an attempt will be made to work out a solution with you individually.