Department of Music

Chorus

The Brown University Chorus is a great way to meet a wide range of undergraduate and graduate students, while working toward a high artistic goal of beautiful singing.

For dedicated singers, regular required attendance at rehearsals and sectionals and frequent performance opportunities, and social gatherings guarantee a rewarding experience.

Course:
MUSC 0600

Director:
L. Frederick Jodry

About

The Brown University Chorus, 55 dedicated singers drawn from all concentrations within the University, is one of the oldest groups on campus. 

The Chorus performs major works regularly. Below is a list of the major works sung by the Chorus in just the past 10 years:

  • Rachmaninoff: Vespers (2018)
  • Vaughan-Williams: In Windsor Forest (2018)
  • Walker: The Golden Harp (2018)
  • Bach: Christmas Oratorio - parts 1 & 3 (2017)
  • Mozart: Requiem  (2017)
  • Bach: St. Matthew Passion, 25th Anniversary Concert (2017)
  • Kodaly: Missa Brevis (2016)
  • Rheinberger: Cantus Missa (2016)
  • Bernstein: Missa Brevis (2016)
  • Bach: Magnificat (2015)
  • Victoria: Missa “Ave maris stella” (2015)
  • Copland: In the Beginning (2015)
  • Bernstein: Chichester Psalms: (2014)
  • Bach: Jesu meine Freude (2014)
  • Rossini: Petite Messe Solennelle (2013)
  • Bach: Missa Brevis in F (2012)
  • Vaughan-Williams: Mass in G (2012)
  • Faure: Requiem (2011)
  • Liszt: The Bells of Strasbourg (2011)
  • Martin: Mass for Two choirs (2011)
  • Rachmaninoff: Vespers (2010)
  • Handel: Israel in Egypt (2009)
  • Brahms: Schaffe in mir Gott (2009)
  • Bach: Lobet den Herren (2009)
  • Handel: Messiah (2008)
  • Purcell: Dido and Aeneas (2008)
  • Honneger: King David (2008)

On Tour

Brown Chorus in Croatia
Brown Chorus in Croatia, May 2017
Tour has always been an important part of the Brown Chorus. Over the past 25 years the Chorus under Fred Jodry has visited 5 continents. Most recently, the Chorus tour Russia & Finland, Argentina, the Czech Republic & Austria, and, just two years ago, an amazing trip to Cuba. Touring is always an extraordinary experience for chorus members. It allows us to perform regularly for new and diverse audiences, develop friendships with members of other performing groups and also enormously strengthens the sense of community within the Chorus.

In 1979, the Chorus was the first American collegiate performing group to tour China, while in 1976 the group spent one month in India at the invitation of the Indian Government, presenting concerts for Prime Minister Indira Ghandi and Mother Teresa.

The Director

Frederick Jodry has been Director of Choral Activities at Brown since the Fall of 1991. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance and a Master's in Early Music from New England Conservatory, Boston.  Founder and Director of Schola Cantorum of Boston, Mr. Jodry has led this 14 voice Renaissance choir in performances throughout New England.  The Schola Cantorum and the Boston Camerata have appeared at Tanglewood and Merkin Hall.  Together they have recorded five CDs, two of which also feature the Brown University Chamber Singers.  As a vocal soloist, Mr. Jodry has sung with the Providence Singers, the Civic Chorale, Boston Cecilia, the Studio de Musique Ancienne de Montreal.  Mr. Jodry is Director of Music at First Unitarian Church in Providence.

Auditions

  1. The audition consists of singing simple scales and warm-ups and a prepared song, aria, or ditty of your choosing (a Christmas carol, patriotic song, hymn, madrigal --anything you know well). An accompanist will be provided.
  2. Ear-training: repeating simple melodies, intervals and a brief excerpt for sight-singing.
  3. Voice size, tone, vowel clarity, pitch and general musicianship will be considered! Enthusiasm and confidence help too. Preference is given to those with prior choral or vocal experience.  Bring a brief resume of your vocal and/choral experience
  4. Returning singers are required to re-audition each year.

Schedule

  • Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Steinert Rm. 105
  • Sectionals twice a month, 8:30-9:00 p.m. Steinert Rm. 105

Contact

Additional Music Making Opportunities

Students may choose to join one of the department's many performing groups
Students seeking to improve their playing or singing ability have the option of taking individual private lessons with about thirty professional musicians from the greater Boston-Providence area.