WIU Choirs

WIU Choral Symposium

The Western Illinois University Choral Invitational

for high school mixed-choirs will come back soon!

Western Illinois University Choral Invitational

The 1st annual Western Illinois University Choral Invitational for high school mixed-choirs will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2020. The invitational will take place in the COFAC Recital Hall located on the Western Illinois University main campus. This event is by invitation only. If you are interested in your choir participating in the event, please email Dr. Winnie. This invitational is a chance for choirs to perform at a wonderful venue, and hear other talented choirs from across the Midwest. We will announce our fantastic guest adjudicators in mid-October.

The Invitational will consist of four main components:

Non-competitive Adjudication Track: 8:30am-12:00pm (limited to 8 choirs)

These ensembles will participate in an adjudicated performance and clinic, receive a recording of their performance, and are invited to stay during the morning to listen to other ensembles. Choirs will get certificates of achievement with ratings of Superior, Excellent, or Good. Choirs should be approximately 50 singers or less.

Competitive Adjudication Track: 1:00-5:00pm (limited to 8 choirs)

These ensembles will participate in an adjudicated performance and clinic, receive a recording of their performance, and are invited to stay during the afternoon to listen to other ensembles. Choirs in this track will compete to be selected as one of three finalist choirs and perform on the "Evening Showcase" concert. Results for choirs selected as finalists will be given at 5:00pm. Choirs should be approximately 50 singers or less.

Choirs will perform three to four pieces of repertoire with a maximum of 20 minutes allotted per choir performance. Three original copies of each piece should be provided for the adjudicators.

Solo Category Track Option: (competitive track only)

Ensembles may select two soloists to compete in either the classical or musical theatre soloist categories during the afternoon. Soloists may only perform one selection in one category, and that selection can be no longer than 5 minutes. An accompanist must be provided by the school. Two finalists from each category will perform in the "Evening Showcase."


Evening Showcase: 7:00pm

The finalist choral ensembles will perform for an audience on the "Evening Showcase" concert, and compete for the title of "2020 Grand Champion Choir," "First Runner-up" and "Second Runner-up." Each choir will be given a trophy for their achievements, and a rating of Gold, Silver, or Bronze.

The finalists from the solo classical and musical theatre categories will also perform in the "Evening Showcase" concert, and compete for "Outstanding Classical Soloist," and "Outstanding Musical Theatre Soloist." All results will be announced at the end of the concert, after a special performance by Western Illinois University Singers.


Fees/Ticket Information:

Those choirs selected will be notified by mid-October. Choirs selected to perform will need to submit a registration fee of $350.00 by November 1, 2019.

Tickets, $10.00/adults and free for students, will be available for purchase in advance of the event (seating is limited). Ticket information will be forthcoming.


Accommodation suggestions: