By Sarah Huizenga

Staff Writer

Cornerstone University provides many opportunities for students to get involved. For those who are musical and enjoy singing, choir is one of those opportunities.

CU has many choral groups, including the Chancel Singers, the University Chorale and Credo.

Chancel Singers is directed by adjunct professor Art Joslin and does not require an audition to join.

The group averages about 45 students from all different majors.

They sing two concerts per semester.

The University Chorale is directed by Kent Walters, associate professor of music. Students get into this group by audition.

It consists of about 34 students. This group also sings two concerts per semester.

As well as the Chancel Singers, the University Chorale sings the academic repertoire of music that all university choirs are involved in.

They try to sing a variety of music that is appealing to both the students and their audiences.

Next year, the University Chorale is planning a European tour, primarily to Germany.

“We’re already in preparation for that by way of fundraising, planning the tour, venues themselves and repertoire,” Walters said. “That’s probably our biggest goal for this year.”

Credo, an eight-voice ensemble, is also directed by Walters and is an auditioned group.

In addition to the two concerts per semester, Credo does other performances, including the Chamber concert and Golden Eagle days, and travels to other schools and churches.

They are more diverse than the other groups as far as music goes, singing anything from Renaissance madrigals to vocal jazz.

Credo is a fairly new group with all but two members being new singers this year.

“For Credo, I’m most looking forward to establishing them solidly in vocal skills as an ensemble and developing their ‘performance legs,’ so they can become a seasoned performance group, since they are so young,” Walters said.

With a large incoming freshmen class came a lot of talent in the music department.

“The greatest element of improvement would be the increasing number of talented students that are coming into the university and into the music division particularly,” Walters said.

“Choir’s been fun. It’s good to be in a group where the music is the focus, and Joslin, the new Chancel professor, keeps everyone on task, yet still makes it fun,” Jon Mackey, a member of the Chancel Singers, said.

Alexiana Stump, who is a part of the University Chorale, said, “It’s like being on a big team of musicians. We get down to work, but we love what we do, and we work together. I’m looking forward to getting to know the people in Chorale more and developing our skills for the glory of our King.”