The Hendrix College Choir, conducted by
Dr. Andrew Morgan, is the premiere choral ensemble at Hendrix. Performing repertoire from a broad range of styles, musical traditions, and time periods, the Choir provides both a challenging and rewarding musical experience to its participants, who then have the privilege of sharing this wonderful music with the Hendrix community and beyond.
The group rehearses twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday from 4:15 - 6:00 pm). Participation in the ensemble is by audition only. See below for audition information.
The Choir performs several times throughout the year. In the Fall, the Choir performs for the annual Fall Family Weekend. During the final week of the Fall semester, the choir presents the annual Candlelight Carol Service over four nights in Greene Chapel. Following final exams, the choir tours to regional United Methodist Churches in Arkansas and neighboring states. Recent Candlelight performances have been held in Fayetteville, AR, Germantown, TN, Fort Smith, AR, Hot Springs, AR, and Dallas, TX.
Auditioning for the Hendrix Choir
All Hendrix students, regardless of major or background experience in music, are eligible to audition for the Hendrix Choir. Auditions are held at the beginning of each semester for new members in Miller CQ 112 (Dr. Morgan's office). Returning members must re-audition at the beginning of each fall semester. Signing up for your audition is easy! Visit bit.ly/hdxchr for our Fall 2023 audition schedule.
Auditions consist of vocalizing, ear training exercises, sightsinging, and singing a brief familiar tune, provided by Dr. Morgan. Students do not need to prepare any solos or other musical material prior to auditioning, although warming up your voice prior to meeting with Dr. Morgan is encouraged. Send an email to morgana@hendrix.edu with any questions.
Recording Samples
World Premieres & Music by Living Composers
Each year, the Hendrix Choir performance a world premiere piece at the Candlelight Carol Services. Past composers whose music has been performed include Edmund Jolliffe, Janet Wheeler, Alan MacMillan, and John Madden. This year, the choir will be performing Mystic Carol composed by Laurel Luke Christensen, based on poetry by theologian Thomas Merton.
In April 2017, the Hendrix Choir gave the world premiere performance of Dominick DiOrio's
Down Deep, a work for a cappella choir that honors the 60th anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School. Dr. DiOrio visited the Hendrix Choir that semester to rehearse the piece and speak about its history and meaning with the choir. The composition has since been performed by numerous ensembles nationwide.
Grammy-winning composer John Corigliano visited Hendrix in November of 2014 for a residency that included a Hendrix Choir performance of his Fern Hill (composed in 1960), which also featured the Hendrix College Chamber Orchestra and voice faculty member Kara Claybrook. The following year, composer Philip Rice was on campus for a joint performance with the Hendrix Wind Ensemble and Hendrix Choir, for which the choir performed his Three Celtic Blessings.
Events for the 2023-2024 Year
Fall Family Weekend Performance
September 23, 9:30am
Staples Auditorium
Candlelight Carol Services (reservations required)
November 23-December 2, 7:30pm
December 3, 4:00pm
Greene Chapel
Candlelight Carol Tour Services
December 14, 7:30pm
First United Methodist Church
200 N. 15th St.
Fort Smith, AR 72901
December 15, 7:30pm
First United Methodist Church
200 S. Market St.
Benton, AR 72015
Spring Concert
Performance information TBA!
Choir Officers 2023-2024
President - Isabella Ifrah
Vice President - Daniela Guadarrama
Social Media & Publicity Director - Austin Cox
Choir Librarian - Ellery Seymour