ECU Singers
The ECU Singers is the largest choral ensemble at East Central University. There are currently around 100 singers in the chorus. There is no audition required and the chorus is open to all ECU Students. The group usually performs once per semester. Often the group performs a major work along with several other selections. The Singers have recently performed Haydn's "Mass in G", Brahms "Schicksalslied", Handel's "Messiah", Mozart's "Requiem", and Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana".
University Chorale
The University Chorale is East Central University's touring Ensemble. Membership in this select group is by audition only. Though primarily consisting of music majors, many of its members represent other academic disciplines. The group performs frequently throughout the year and has toured extensively around Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas. In 2016, they traveled to Monterey, CA, where they claimed the top prize in the Mixed Choir: Level of Difficulty I category at the Golden State Choral Trophy Competition. By winning the Golden State Trophy, the Chorale is qualified for the "Champion of Champions" at the World Choir Games for the next five years. The ensemble has also been chosen on five occasions to sing for the Oklahoma Music Educators Association State Conference. Members of the Chorale have recently performed with the ACDA All-Collegiate Choirs in St. Louis and Denver.
"The things I learned and the opportunities I was given at ECU allowed me to pursue musical projects I had always dreamed of. It allowed me to write and produce my own musical which started my career in the musical theater field, and also got me into my preferred grad school." -- Zach, 2017 Grad, Vocal Music Education
Opera Workshop
The ECU Opera Workshop is offered each Fall semester. Enrollment in the class is open, however, certain roles in the operas are by audition only. ECU’s Opera Theatre program brings together the talents of the music and theater departments in full production of musicals and operas. Whether accompanied by piano or full orchestra, all shows are fully staged with sets, lighting, costumes, and props, and are performed as a part of the Fine Arts Series in the Ataloa Theater, housed in the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center. Recent productions include Hänsel and Gretel, The Impresario, The Marriage of Figaro, South Pacific, and School House Rock.
""My ultimate favorite [musical experience at ECU] was seeing my very first opera (Tosca) in Dr. Alig's Music in Life course. It was right then that I knew what I was supposed to do with my life. That next semester, I performed on stage for the first time as Baba in Menotti's "The Medium". I still remember that performance like it was yesterday!" "I have been able to utilize what I learned from ECU every moment I open my mouth! I have been singing with Center Stage Opera in the San Fernando Valley for the last 4 years and have had that absolute honor to work with some of the most prestigious artists in the industry." - Christina, 2011 Grad, Vocal Performance