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OBU—Oklahoma Baptist University

OBU Music Prep Choirs to Hold Auditions May 9

May 4, 2017

Oklahoma Baptist University’s Music Preparatory Department will conduct auditions for its choirs, for students in grades 3-12, on May 9, from 3-5 p.m. in OBU’s Raley Chapel room 141.

All interested students in grades 3-12 from Shawnee and the surrounding area are invited to audition for the following select groups of singers. For additional information or to audition by appointment on a different day, contact Conchita Hansford, Shawnee Honor Choir director, at (405) 585-4323 or (405) 273-2273.

Auditioning students will be asked to sing “Happy Birthday” and are auditioned in order of arrival. Three choirs are available for various age groups. All girls and boys, with both changed and unchanged voices, are encouraged to audition. The tuition fee is $140 per semester or $280 for the year.

Beginning its 35th year and continuing its strong tradition, Shawnee Honor Choir is directed by Hansford. The choir, an auditioned group of third through seventh graders from Shawnee and the surrounding area, is represented by 20 different schools from Midwest City to Seminole. The children study and perform a wide variety of music ranging from unison songs to the more challenging two- and three-part treble choir literature. The Shawnee Honor Choir is dedicated to the philosophy that through the learning and performance of excellent choral literature, the lives of the choir members, as well as the lives of their families and community, will be enriched both artistically and musically. The playing of Orff instruments, hand chimes and rhythm instruments is also an enjoyable aspect of the choir experience. The choir performs annually in 12 area schools, presents two formal public concerts and frequently presents programs at community events. The choir, which meets on Tuesday afternoons from 3:30-5:15 p.m., has performed six times for the Oklahoma Music Educators Association State Convention in Tulsa.

Concert Choir is designed to provide eighth through twelfth graders with singing experiences that increase individual musicianship and enhance personal growth and development. The choir is under the direction of Dr. Louima Lilite, associate professor of music. The choir is dedicated to the philosophy that performance of quality choral literature can provide a source of great joy and enrichment for the individual and for the community. Students represent the choir from many area upper middle school and high schools. Performance highlights have included the Organization of American Kodaly Educators National Conference in Virginia; the Oklahoma Music Educators Association State Convention in Tulsa; a tour to Arizona; and performances in Branson, Missouri and the American Choral Directors National Convention in Los Angeles. Along with two on-campus concerts each year, the choir performs for schools and businesses, as well as Sterling House, an assisted living facility in Shawnee. The choir rehearses on Tuesday afternoons from 5-6:30 p.m.

Discovery Singers, for non-auditioned children ages seven and up, is offered to help children develop their voices and prepare them for future choir success. The class meets Tuesdays from 4:15-5:15 p.m.  No audition is needed for this choir and parents may enroll their children by going online to okbu.edu/music-prep.