2023
After two years away from the contest, Joliet West intends to once again host a choir contest on February 11th, 2023! If you are a high school director who would like to bring a group, please complete the application here. The participation fee is $300.00 per ensemble, for additional ensembles from the same school, the fee is $200.00 per ensemble. There is a $50.00 non-refundable deposit due to hold your choir's slot.
The History
For years I have wished for a quality contest to bring my Concert Choir to. There are many options for Show Choirs, but far fewer for Concert Choirs. We have visited many, often they are linked to theme parks, usually quite expensive, and we would find ourselves competing with perhaps one other High School choir and a couple of random Middle School choirs. It was out of this spirit that the Joliet Choir Contest has begun.
The goal of the Joliet Choir Contest is to provide a place for High School Concert Style groups to compete, not in a cut throat type of way, but rather as an opportunity to have a fun day listening to music and challenging ourselves as musicians.
In 2020, 20 High School groups performed and received masterclasses from our clinicians, Dr. J. Scott Ferguson of Illinois Wesleyan University, Dr. Karyl Carlson of Illinois State University, and Mr. Joseph Rivers of Mount St. Joseph University. Lockport Township High School's Concert Choir now reigns as champions, taking home bragging rights, a trophy, and the prize package including a gift certificate to JW Pepper and a $1000 travel voucher with Group Travel Planners (special thank you to our sponsors).
How it Works
Each group has 15 minutes on stage to sing, most groups choose to sing two or three selections, but the number is up to you. All three judges will listen to and score each group. After three groups perform, those groups split into different locations and one of the three judges work with each group. The cycle then starts over.
At the end of the day, the points are totaled, and there is a trophy presentation honoring schools with a rating (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) and one group is named Champion. There are also awards for Best Soprano Section, Best Alto Section, Best Tenor Section, and Best Bass Section. Throughout the day, there are other fun events. In past years, Collegiate groups have come in and performed in the cafeteria while groups are in masterclass so the visiting students can take in even more music. There are music games to play and, in 2020, even collegiate representatives to give information and meet prospective students.
After two years away from the contest, Joliet West intends to once again host a choir contest on February 11th, 2023! If you are a high school director who would like to bring a group, please complete the application here. The participation fee is $300.00 per ensemble, for additional ensembles from the same school, the fee is $200.00 per ensemble. There is a $50.00 non-refundable deposit due to hold your choir's slot.
The History
For years I have wished for a quality contest to bring my Concert Choir to. There are many options for Show Choirs, but far fewer for Concert Choirs. We have visited many, often they are linked to theme parks, usually quite expensive, and we would find ourselves competing with perhaps one other High School choir and a couple of random Middle School choirs. It was out of this spirit that the Joliet Choir Contest has begun.
The goal of the Joliet Choir Contest is to provide a place for High School Concert Style groups to compete, not in a cut throat type of way, but rather as an opportunity to have a fun day listening to music and challenging ourselves as musicians.
In 2020, 20 High School groups performed and received masterclasses from our clinicians, Dr. J. Scott Ferguson of Illinois Wesleyan University, Dr. Karyl Carlson of Illinois State University, and Mr. Joseph Rivers of Mount St. Joseph University. Lockport Township High School's Concert Choir now reigns as champions, taking home bragging rights, a trophy, and the prize package including a gift certificate to JW Pepper and a $1000 travel voucher with Group Travel Planners (special thank you to our sponsors).
How it Works
Each group has 15 minutes on stage to sing, most groups choose to sing two or three selections, but the number is up to you. All three judges will listen to and score each group. After three groups perform, those groups split into different locations and one of the three judges work with each group. The cycle then starts over.
At the end of the day, the points are totaled, and there is a trophy presentation honoring schools with a rating (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) and one group is named Champion. There are also awards for Best Soprano Section, Best Alto Section, Best Tenor Section, and Best Bass Section. Throughout the day, there are other fun events. In past years, Collegiate groups have come in and performed in the cafeteria while groups are in masterclass so the visiting students can take in even more music. There are music games to play and, in 2020, even collegiate representatives to give information and meet prospective students.
Past Champions
2020 - Lockport Township High School Concert Choir (Lockport, IL) - Chad Goetz, Director
2019 - Westmont High School Madrigals (Westmont, IL) - Brett Urlaub, Director
2018 - Westmont High School Madrigals (Westmont, IL) - Brett Urlaub, Director
2017 - LaSalle Peru High School Concert Choir (LaSalle, IL) - Aimee Taylor, Director
2016 - Victor J. Andrew High School Chorale (Tinley Park, IL) - Chris Moan, Director
2019 - Westmont High School Madrigals (Westmont, IL) - Brett Urlaub, Director
2018 - Westmont High School Madrigals (Westmont, IL) - Brett Urlaub, Director
2017 - LaSalle Peru High School Concert Choir (LaSalle, IL) - Aimee Taylor, Director
2016 - Victor J. Andrew High School Chorale (Tinley Park, IL) - Chris Moan, Director
