Sydney rabata

Welcome to the Choral Department at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. We are proud to be known throughout the state and the Midwest as “Wisconsin’s Singing University”. The opportunities and experiences offered to both students and community members through this department are unlike any other, and we are so excited for what this next year has in store.

Our six elite choral ensembles each offer a unique environment for musical growth. Students in our choral department are offered opportunities to collaborate with other student ensembles, work with renowned guest artists, and perform historically-significant large works. We are also afforded the opportunity to travel around the state, the region, and even the world to share our music with others.

We strive to foster a sense of community within our choirs. The friendships and bonds created within our ensembles last a lifetime, and it is truly miraculous to witness people of such diverse backgrounds coming together as one through song. This community-centered environment coupled with our diligent musicality makes for an unforgettable musical experience.

Thank you for your participation and contribution to our choral department. We are excited for another year of musical excellence!

Sydney Rabata – President, Concert Choir

CARLOS ROJO

My name is Carlos Rojo. I am a 5th year student graduating in the Spring of 2018 with a BA Music degree and a Theatre Arts minor. My intention is to pursue a masters degree in conducting. This year marks my fourth year with The Singing Statesmen, and my fifth overall year in the choral department. By the time I graduate, I will have been a part of every choir here; whether singing, conducting, or arranging for any of them. Thanks to this department I have been able to lead sectionals, arrange for Cabaret Productions, serve as an officer, and lead as a student conductor. This year I have the great fortune of serving The Singing Statesmen as their president. Thanks to Statesmen, I have been able to represent this great department locally within the Midwest region, and internationally in Central Europe. This fall we are looking forward to touring the Superior, WI region, serving our local community by performing for UWEC athletic events, and honoring our veterans and current members of the armed forces at our fall concert on November 10th. I hope you get an opportunity to see the great work The Singing Statesmen do, and how they contribute to the Excellence of this choral department.

Carlos Rojo - President, The Singing Statesmen

EMMA CRUCIANI

The ensembles at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire have given me such amazing opportunities that I can't imagine myself at any other school. The atmosphere, camaraderie, and shared passion of music make the UWEC choral department the place you always want to be. I've been so blessed to be apart of 3 of the 6 ensembles on campus, and have been given the opportunity to sing locally, regionally, and internationally. There really is a place for everyone and anyone who loves to make music.

Emma Cruciani - Assistant, Symphonic Choir

Ali abraham

Throughout my time at UWEC, I have been enrolled in choir since day one. It has not only introduced me to so many of my friends, but taught me a lot about myself. I've learned discipline, leadership, and teamwork and how that can be applied to my future as a choral educator. Being a member of a UWEC choir, I have gotten to travel internationally and sing in venues that are so perfect, they don't seem real at first. I have been given the opportunity to be part of both a choral leadership team and a choral assistant for the department so I've seen first hand the hard work that goes into maintaining our reputation. The talent we have at this university is staggering and to be able to add my voice among the thousands that have sang before and after me is honestly a huge honor.

Ali Abraham - Assistant, Women's Chorus

Rachel Balistrieri

Hello! My name is Rachel Balistrieri and I am the President of Women’s Concert Chorale for the 2018-19 school year. It is hard to sum up all of the amazing experiences I’ve had in the choral department over the last few years because this department has provided me with so many wonderful memories. One day that still sticks with me is my first day in Women’s Concert Chorale freshman year as I walked in the choir room, excited and anxious for what awaited me. As I entered the room I felt immediately accepted and welcome as I was greeted with an immense amount of energy and smiles everywhere I turned. During our rehearsal, we sang through a piece called Travelin’ Home and after we finished reading the piece, Dr. Watkins looked at the ensemble and said, “welcome home.” Even after just one day of rehearsal, I felt like I had found a new home away from home and I was so hopeful and excited for what was to come.

I am now entering my junior year and can say that over the past two years I truly feel like I have found a family within the UWEC choral department. I have met so many intelligent,
supportive, positive, and hard working people and I am so thankful that I get to be a part of such a wonderful community. There are such passionate people in this department who strive to make each ensemble they are a part of the best they can possibly be. We are constantly challenged to think about music in new ways and are provided with amazing opportunities in order to grow as people, musicians, and leaders. In this department, we are extremely dedicated to the music we create and have so much fun while learning and growing together! I feel incredibly thankful to be a part of such an excellent program and am looking forward to seeing what we accomplish together in the future!

Rachel Balistrieri - President, Women's Concert Chorale