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 three times weekly (M, T, Th, 4:10-5:30pm). Participation in the ensemble is by audition only. See below for audition information.
The Choir performs several times throughout the year. In the Fall, performances include Fall Family Weekend and the Odyssey Medal Convocation. At the end of the semester, the choir presents the Candlelight Carol Service four times during the first week of December. 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 Trieschmann Studio 5 (Dr. Morgan's office). Returning members must re-audition at the beginning of each fall semester. Signing up for your audition is a two-step process:
1. Complete the following google form:
http://bit.ly/HDXChoirAudition
2. Once completing the google form, visit our Doodle poll to select an audition time:
http://bit.ly/HDXChoirDoodle
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
Living Composers Project
The Hendrix Choir regularly engages with living composers, and has performed several world premiere pieces in recent years. The regular performance of music by living composers is essential in our efforts to sustain choral music as a vital and living art.
Each fall, Hendrix music faculty, a student from the choir, and choral conductors nationally evaluate submissions for the annual Candlelight Carol Competition. Now in its fourth year, the competition has resulted in the performance of a new choral work at our yearly Candlelight Carol Services. Nearly 200 submissions have been received, and winning composers represent the United States and England. For more information, visit the
Candlelight Carol Service webpage.
In April 2017, the Hendrix Choir gave the world premiere performance of Dominick DiOrio's
Down Deep, a commissioned work 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 Hendrix Choir has since performed the work again, as part of a joint community concert at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Little Rock.
Grammy-winning composer John Corigliano visited Hendrix in November of 2014 for a residency that included a Hendrix Choir performance of his Fern Hill, 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 2018-2019 Year
Fall Family Weekend Performance
September 22, 10:00am
Staples Auditorium
Candlelight Carol Services (reservations required)
November 29-December 1, 7:30pm
December 2, 4:00pm
Greene Chapel
Candlelight Carol Tour Services
December 13, 7:30pm
Bentonville United Methodist Church
201 NW 2nd St
Bentonville, AR 72712
December 14, 7:30pm
Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church
4823 Woodlawn Dr.
Little Rock, AR 72205
Spring Concert
April 26, 7:30pm
Staples Auditorium
Choir Officers 2017-2018
President - Michaela Edwards
Vice President - Andrew Fleming
Treasurer - Beth Norman
Social Media & Publicity Director - Kathleen Mowery
Choir Librarian - Nicole Henry