SRJC has a rich tradition in choral music which currently includes our Concert Choir and Chamber Singers. Additional courses are available in vocal technique and diction. Applied Voice (private instruction) is available for students intending to major in music. Auditions for SRJC choirs take place during the first scheduled class meeting of each semester.
CONCERT CHOIR (MUSCP 21A–D)
Jody Benecke, Director
Requirements: The student should be familiar with the choral experience and should be able to match pitch and learn and perform vocal parts in an SATB ensemble. Some students accepted are not strong music readers, but the first weeks are spent on music reading exercises, allowing students to learn and/or polish this skill. Most students who meet these expectations will be able to pass the audition for Concert Choir.
CHAMBER SINGERS (MUSCP 23A–D)
Jody Benecke, Director
This is a select (more advanced) ensemble of experienced choral singers. Generally, these students will also be members of the Concert Choir during the semester. Exceptions to this requirement may be made for students who are veterans of a successful experience in Concert Choir. On rare occasions students who have not performed with the Concert Choir, or who are not currently enrolled to do so, may be approved to enroll in Chamber Singers after a successful audition and at the discretion of the instructor. Students who wish to audition for this ensemble must be capable music readers and should enroll only upon instructor approval.
Each November, members of the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers participate in the Music Association of California Community Colleges (MACCC) conference choir under the direction of outstanding guest choral conductors, including Shawna Stewart (San Diego 2006), Magen Solomon (San Francisco 2007), Iris Levine (San Diego 2008), and Ragnar Bohlin (San Francisco 2009).
For more information, contact Jody Benecke at jbenecke@santarosa.edu or by phone at (707) 527-4665.