Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale: Upcoming Auditions

Please let me take this opportunity to introduce you to the Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale (GEWC). Because of its members’ passion for choral music, the Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale has thrived as a not-for-profit organization for 34 years.

The Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale is a 60-member, multi-generational ensemble that draws singers from throughout the western suburbs of Chicago. Members range in experience from novice to semi-professional, and perform a wide range of music. Recent concerts have included Faure’s Requiem, Mozart’s “Lacrimosa,” music of Robert Shaw, and a concert of jazz standards. The chorale regularly performs with string or brass ensembles.

For the past 24 years, the chorale has had the good fortune to have Greg Wheatley as our music director. Greg recently announced his retirement, and he and his wife are relocating closer to their children on the east coast. GEWC now welcomes Jennifer Whiting as our new music director.

Jennifer earned a bachelor’s degree in piano and English from Rockford College, a master’s degree in choral conducting from Northern Illinois University, and a post-master’s performer’s certificate also from NIU. She has decades of experience directing auditioned and non-auditioned choirs, and has served as the Director of Music at Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton since 2014.

GEWC presents two major concerts each season—a Christmas concert in early December, and a spring concert in May. College Church in Wheaton, with its splendid acoustic and visual beauty, is the chorale’s singing home. In addition, the chorale makes appearances at other venues such as retirement centers and special events.

Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:30 at College Church in Wheaton. We take a three-month hiatus during the summer (June–August), unless we have a special performance scheduled.

We are pleased to announce that auditions for our next season will be held by appointment on August 3 or 10 at College Church (335 E Seminary Avenue, Wheaton). Jennifer Whiting will conduct the brief auditions, which involve matching pitch, checking voice range, and singing a familiar song that will be provided. Singers are not required to bring a prepared piece.

The director is balancing the ensemble, so not everyone who auditions may be contacted to join the chorale. Please note, GEWC has instituted a policy requiring all members to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination to be eligible to participate in live rehearsals and concerts this fall.

Should you know of anyone who would be interested in auditioning, please refer them to the chorale website at www.gewchorale.org where they can send a message to schedule an audition.