Choirs

Chamber Choir, University Choir, Bel Canto and Cantabile

Choral ensembles are open to all students on campus regardless of major. Studies show that college students in music ensembles outperform their peers in academic standings. Come and join one of our groups today, make lifelong friendships, and be a part of the university’s most exciting community!

FGCU's Chamber, University, Bel Canto and Cantabile Choirs are led and conducted by Dr. Trent Brown. The staff pianist for the choirs is Abigail Allison.

Each choir is a part of the annual Joyful & Triumphant performance.  You can see a sample of this concert here.  Additional recordings of each ensemble can be found below by each choir, as well as information about how to join. 

New for 2025: High School Summer Vocal Camp at the Bower School of Music at Florida Gulf Coast University, July 20-25, 2025. More information can be found here.

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Chamber Choir

The Chamber Choir is a mixed, auditioned ensemble open to all students regardless of major at FGCU. Recognized for their remarkable versatility, the ensemble performs choral music from the Renaissance to newly commissioned works by American and international composers. The choir performed for the Florida chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) conference in 2021 and 2015. Every three years the choir performs internationally including Spain/France (2023), Rome (2020), the Baltic States (2017), and Austria and the Czech Republic (2014). Every year the choir tours and performs across the state of Florida.

Beyond the music, the ensemble focuses on building community and establishing connections that last a lifetime. The annual retreat, tours, performances, and daily rehearsals forge these lifelong bonds between students from all majors on campus. Every three years the choir tours internationally (2014, 2017, 2020, 2023). 

Hear the choir sing!

1. Chamber Choir singing at the International Mass at Sagrada Familia (Barcelona) March 2023
2. Chamber Choir singing in the Basilica at Montserrat (Spain) March 2023
3. Chamber Choir recording April 2022

Chamber Choir meets Monday through Thursday from 1:30-2:25pm.

Students interested in singing should schedule a Choral Placement Hearing.

2024/25 Schedule

Bel Canto

Bel Canto Choir is open to all sopranos and altos by audition regardless of major. The choir champions repertoire specifically composed for treble voices, especially works written by women. The ensemble began in fall of 2019 and has consistently impressed and inspired audiences in performance. The choir’s rapport is built through their concerts and rehearsals, and their annual in-state performance tour. 

Hear the choir sing!

1. Bel Canto in concert 2023
2. Bel Canto in concert 2023

Bel Canto meets Monday and Wednesday from 2:30-3:45pm.

Students interested in singing should schedule a Choral Placement Hearing.

2024/25 Schedule

Cantabile

Cantabile consists of tenors and basses selected by choral placement hearing. The choir performs 2-3 times a semester and occasionally tours locally for performances. Cantabile focuses on the joy of singing and the camaraderie established when basses and tenors share create that sound. The energy is high, and enthusiasm is great. The choir meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 12:30-1:20pm.

Hear the choir sing!

1. Cantabile in concert 2023
2. Cantabile in concert 2023

Students interested in singing should schedule a Choral Placement Hearing.

2024/25 Schedule

University Choir

The University Choir is a non-auditioned, mixed ensemble open to students of all majors on campus at FGCU.  The choir studies a diverse choral repertoire from many cultures and historical eras and gets the opportunity to work with choral clinicians from around the United States every year. Students in the ensemble receive General Education (Humanities) credit.  

The ensemble has performed several major works, including Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Ariel Rámirez’s Misa Criolla, Mozart’s Mass in C Minor and Requiem, Poulenc’s Gloria, and Handel’s Messiah. They can be seen annually in Joyful & Triumphant, the FGCU holiday concert performed live at Moorings Presbyterian, and aired on radio and TV by WGCU. 

Students interested in singing should register for MUN 1310.  NO AUDITION REQUIRED. Contact Dr. Trent Brown with questions. The choir meets Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00-4:15pm.

2024/25 Schedule

Choral Placement Hearings (for Bel Canto, Cantabile, or Chamber Choir):

Choral Placement Hearings are quick, and intended to make sure the ensemble in which you sing is right for you. EVERYONE can be in an ensemble! No one will ever be turned away. Email Dr. Brown to set a time for a placement. These can be done by Zoom, or in person. They take about 7 minutes and require the following:

• Sing a brief (60-90 seconds) solo selection. 95% of people choose “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” and you should sing the MELODY (not an alto, tenor, or bass line).
• Tonal memory: Dr. Brown will play four excerpts on the piano, and you sing back what I play on “la.”
• Sight singing: one or two short examples. These can be sung on solfege, or neutral “la” syllables (or you can switch back and forth). You will be given the starting pitch, the tonic chord, and one minute to examine before singing. You may use the minute to sing a scale, practice intervals, use hand signs, pray, or whatever helps you succeed.

Reminder: NO ONE will be turned away! Not everyone is a soloist, but EVERYONE can sing in a choir! And there is no placement required for University Choir (MUN 1310)

Questions? Write to Dr. Brown (trbrown@fgcu.edu) and he will assist! See you at rehearsal!