**If you are a music teacher looking for information about our vocal music contests click here.
Camerata Choir is a mixed chorus which meets Tuesdays from 5:30-8pm. Repertoire is varied each semester and includes both sacred and secular works. Camerata is an auditioned choir that makes regular public performances throughout the academic year including several visits to area churches. Members of Camerata are eligible for Service Learning Credit as a direct result of our outreach to area churches. Students in this group also have the opportunity to audition for the TTCCDA All-State Choir, which performs each winter in San Antonio at the annual TMEA Conference.
Blinn College Musical Theatre Ensemble (MTE) is a unique audition-only group dedicated to the study and performance of works from the musical theatre genre. Guest artists are frequently brought in to choreograph and workshop with members of MTE. Recent guest artists include: Chesley Krohn, Jonathan McVay, Barbara Irvine and Deborah Eckols. MTE performs both on and off campus several times throughout the academic year. Auditions for this group take place during the first week of school in the fall and spring semesters.
The Brenham Chorale and the Blinn College Choral Union combine each semester to form Brenham’s Community Chorus. This group meets on Monday nights from 6:30- 9:00pm.The repertoire for this combined chorus explores both large masterworks such as Handel’s Messiah and Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass as well as smaller choral works. Guest soloists and consort chamber groups frequently accompany The Brenham Chorale. This is a non-auditioned chorus and all are welcome to participate. Students earn a one hour credit by registering for Choral Union and community members register through Blinn’s Workforce Education Program.
Blinn College Vocal Studies- Private lessons are available on two different levels. For those students wishing to major in vocal music, Blinn offers a one hour private lesson. Voice majors also attend a weekly studio class. All music majors are required to enroll in music theory, aural skills, music literature, and class piano along with participation in assigned ensembles. Non music- majors are eligible to take a half-hour lesson per week. Prerequisites for enrollment in a non-major voice lesson include: enrollment in a choral ensemble and permission of instructor.
AUDITION CLASS - The vocal department is pleased to be able to offer a specialized voice/audition class catered to both the music and theatre student. The focus of this class is to prepare the actor/singer for the inevitable singing audition which will be necessary for transfer to a university program or to maintain a career in the realm of professional theatre. The class will be considered a sub-section of MTE (Musical Theatre Ensemble).
Choir Club-Blinn College hosts an active choir club. This group presents an annual madrigal dinner and makes regular visits to area nursing homes as part of their community outreach. Anyone enrolled in the choral program is welcome to join the choir club.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE!!! Scholarships are awarded based on audition, the need for a particular voice parts, along with teacher recommendation. To request a brochure or to set up an audition, please contact Jennifer Wise at 979-830-4239 or email Mrs. Wise at: jennifer.wise@blinn.edu.
WOMEN'S CHOIR - This specialized choir is a sub-section of Choral Union and is a non-auditioned choral group created to exemplify the female voice. It is a small, focused group of female students who meet once a week. Repertoire is varied and includes both sacred and secular works. This group has been asked to sing the National Anthem at Blinn Sports events and graduations.
Vocal/Choral Department
Jason Phillips - Director of Choral and Vocal Studies, voice instructor, choir
Elizabeth Byrd-Shipsey- Assistant Choral Director, Director Musical Theatre, Voice Instructor
Cheryl Amelang- Accompanist- Music Theatre Ensemble and Studio Class
Jason Phillips- Director of Brenham Chorale and Choral Union
John Vavroch- Voice Instructor
For scholarship information and audition dates, contact:
Band: Mr. Harry Blake (979) 830-4652
Jazz Band: Dr. Craig Garrett (979) 830-4261
Chorus and Voice Study: Jason Phillips (979) 830-4239
Piano Study: Mr. John Dujka (979) 830-4249
Drama: Mr. Bradley A. Nies (979) 830-4269