About
Since their founding in 1998 the San Francisco State University Chamber Singers have earned a reputation for excellence in choral performance. They have been praised for their “supple choralism” and “wonderfully committed performances” of the a cappella repertoire ranging from Renaissance madrigals to works of contemporary composers. Their discography includes Sing Me to Heaven (2000), A Heart’s Journey (2002) featuring choral music of Latin America and In Paradisum (2005), which explores music by Central European and American Composers.
The Chamber Singers have a long-standing tradition of festival appearances and tours. International engagements have taken them to Cuba (2002 Festival Internacional de Coros and 2007 Americia Cantat), Germany and the Czech Republic (2004) and China (2000). In 2006 the Chamber Singers were invited to France to collaborate with the Orchestre des Juenes de Provence in music of Poulenc and the Requiem of Maurice Durufle. National invitations include the Waging Peace Festival in Eugene, Oregon in 2003, multiple performances at the California Music Educators Convention and an award-winning appearance at the American Choral Directors Association in February 2008.
Under the leadership of Professor Xiques, the Chamber Singers completed tours to Northern and Southern California (2010, 2012) and New Orleans (2011). In 2011 the women of Chamber Singers made their Davies Symphony Hall debut when they performed Gustav Holst’s The Planets with the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra under Maestro Donato Cabrera. The SF State Chamber Singers performed again with Maestro Cabrera in Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 with the California Symphony in at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore and Lesher Center in Walnut Creek in May 2012.
Auditions
Auditions will take place on the first three days of the semester. You can sign up for an audition time on the choral bulletin board outside of room 146 in the Creative Arts Building. There is nothing to prepare for the audition. Professor Xiques will run you through a couple of vocal exercises and may ask to hear you sight-read a melody. If you choose, you may sign up for the course before the audition and drop it later if needed.
You should not attend the first class meeting because auditions for returning students will be occurring at that time.
