vocal Performance and the Vocal arts at Eureka

something worth singing about

EC Chorale | EC Chamber Singers | Academics | Scholarships

The Eureka College Music Department offers co-curricular opportunities to all members of the campus community through participation in two performance ensembles.

What Makes the Study of Music at Eureka College so Unique?

Regular opportunities for performance concert tours both domestic and international.
Regular opportunities for performances at both Regional and General (National) Assemblies of the Christian Church.
Regular (every other year) collaborations with the Theater Department to produce either a music review or a musical.
Regular opportunities to be instructed by highly regarded performers/educators in their respective fields.
Regular opportunities for non-majors to participate in performance ensembles or schedule private studio lessons.

Vocal Groups

find your musical niche

The Eureka College Chorale

The Chorale is a mixed chorus of 55 men and women dedicated to the performance of a wide variety of European and American choral music - sacred, secular, and popular. The college chorale's musical sensitivity, energy, and unique sound is a testament to the dedication and talent of its singers. Membership in the chorale is open to all students at Eureka College, regardless of class year or major; the most important prerequisite is that singers are willing to learn and dedicate themselves to choral performance excellence. Rehearsals are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3:00-4:00 P.M..

The Chorale's active year will begin with an organizational meeting for all interested singers, scheduled for Wednesday, August 22nd at 4:00 P.M. in McCallister Hall. This meeting will provide information about auditions, rehearsals, past and forthcoming European Tours and the repertoire for the 2007-2008 academic year. The Eureka College Chorale has conducted concert tours in Canada, New England, England, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The next European Concert Tour will take place in May of 2010.

New singer auditions are held at the beginning of each semester and consist of a ten minute session with Dr. Joseph D. Henry, the Director of Choral Activities. Singers will not be required to audition a prepared piece of music.

For more information, contact the director (email ) or call 309-467-6397. The second semester organizational meeting for interested singers is scheduled in McCallister Hall on Monday, January 7th at 3:00 P.M.. Click for practice and perfomance schedules.

The Eureka College Chamber Singers

The Eureka College Chamber Singers is a mixed chorus of 18 auditioned voices that specializes in chamber choral and vocal works from the Renaissance era to the contemporary period. In addition to local performances the Chamber Singers have toured domestically and internationally where they have established a reputation of excellence in choral music performance. In early December, the Eureka College Chamber Singers annually present the very popular and highly successful, Renaissance Christmas Dinner in the Terrill Rooms of the Donald B.Cerf Center. The Chamber Singers rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:30-4:45 P.M.. Membership is open to all Eureka College students through audition. Prerequisite: Continued membership in the Eureka College Chorale. Click for practice and perfomance schedules.


Dr. Joseph Henry

get to know

ec's music maestro

Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities, and the Coordinator of the Music Education program, Dr. Henry joined the Eureka College Faculty in 1991. He is also the conductor and artistic director of the highly acclaimed Peoria Area Civic Chorale. Dr. Henry has degrees in music education/choral conducting from the University of Southern Maine, University of Maine, and the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri - Kansas City where he studied conducting with Gerard Chamberland, Dennis K. Cox, Larry Rachleff, Gary Hill, and Eph Ehly. He taught public school music for ten years in Maine and served as the President of Maine Music Educators Association 1982-1984. In 2006 he was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award and inducted into the Peoria Symphony Orchestra's Hall of Fame. In 2008 Dr. Henry was the recipient of the Helen Cleaver Award for Excellence in Teaching at Eureka College. He has served as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician at choral festivals, clinics, and music conventions throughout the United States. Under his direction, choirs have sung for festivals sponsored by the Music Educators National Conference, the America Choral Director's Association and the National-General Assembly of Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ). In addition, Dr. Henry's choral ensembles have presented concert tours in Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, and Italy.