The University Chorus of UC Davis is a
large SATB ensemble that has a long history of performing a
variety of repertoire in the Mondavi Center. It often
partners with the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra for major
choral-orchestral works. The University Chorus is open to UC
Davis students, faculty/staff, and community members. Dress
rehearsals to be announced.
All prospective singers MUST schedule and complete a Choral
Placement Hearing.
Your Choral Placement Hearing will be very short (10
minutes or less) and as painless as
possible. Think of
it as a miniature voice lesson with an
opportunity to connect
with me one-on-one. The goal of
the Choral Placement Hearing is to determine which
choir(s) might be the best fit for you this year.
There is a UC Davis choir for everyone!
Your Choral Placement Hearing will include:
Vocal warmup and range exploration
Short musicianship exercises (matching
pitches and/or sight reading)
1–2 minutes of something you love to sing. This
could be a pop song, an aria, Happy Birthday, or
anything that feels comfortable in your
voice. Plan to sing unaccompanied (by
yourself without piano, guitar, etc.).
Brief chat about your musical goals, why you
love singing, and which choir(s) might be the best fit for
you.
Please plan to arrive to Room 130 (Erik’s office) a few minutes
before your scheduled time to fill out a brief questionnaire. I’m
looking forward to meeting you!
A note about reading music
There are many equally valid ways to learn
music. For your Choral Placement Hearing, I am curious
about how you personally learn music right
now. That might be by reading music, that might be by ear, that
might be by some system unique to
you. The short musicianship exercises are
not tests, they’re just small parts of
helping me understand you as a singer.
Frequently Asked Questions – UC Davis Choirs Edition
Can I sing in more than one choir?
YES!!!!!!!
Do I have to read music to sing in a choir at UC
Davis?
Not necessarily!!! There are many equally valid ways to
learn music.
Do I have to be a music major to sing in
choir?
NO!!!!!!! Anyone from any major can
participate in UC Davis choirs.
Do I have to have previous singing experience to
join?
NO!!!!!!! Previous singing experience is helpful, but not
required.
Can I bring a friend who wants to sing too?
YES!!!!!!!! Please have them sign up for their
own Choral Placement Hearing to make sure that I have
time to meet with both of you.
I was in a UC Davis choir
last year, do I have to do another Choral
Placement Hearing?
Yes! It’s important for me to connect with you, hear how
your voice has developed, and check in with you about your
goals.
I really, really love singing Renaissance and
Baroque music. Is there a place for me here?
YES!!!!!!! All UC Davis choirs perform a wide variety of
repertoire, but the Early Music Ensemble
specializes in Western music that was composed before 1750.
DMA, Choral Conducting, University of ArizonaMM, Choral Conducting, University of British Columbia (Vancouver)BA, Music, Lewis & Clark College
Erik Peregrine (they/them or he/him) enjoys an
active career as a conductor and educator, serving as the
Director of Choirs and Lecturer in Music at UC Davis and as the
artistic director of Ensemble Companio, an award-winning
Northeastern regional chamber choir.
