Choral Ensembles
Una Voce: The Chamber Choir of Seton Hill University
An auditioned choir of highly skilled choral musicians, Una Voce serves as the touring choir for the Music Program, spreading the name of Seton Hill far and wide during annual tours over Spring Break. Repertoire includes music from the entire choral canon, Western music and beyond. Auditions are normally held in the Spring with limited spots available to freshmen in the Fall. Opportunities for student conductors provide valuable experience to our music majors. Una Voce occasionally performs with orchestra, exploring the wide range of choral/orchestral literature. Una Voce performs a yearly concert for the Sisters of Charity residing at Caritas Christi and recently performed at the Fall Conference of the American Choral Directors Association, Pennsylvania Chapter.
University Choir
University Choir is a large, non-auditioned mixed ensemble, open to all students at Seton Hill regardless of major. "U Choir" performs repertoire often written especially for them and from the vast canon of choral music around the globe. Occasionally, U Choir splits into Setonia, a soprano/alto choir, and the SHU Glee Club, a tenor/bass ensemble, to explore music written for these voices.
University Choral Union
Usually in the fall, the choral ensembles combine to form the University Choral Union. This ensemble offers works, performing with professional chamber ensembles. Past concerts have included Schubert's "Mass in G" and the Pennsylvania premiere of Joel Thompson's "Seven Last Words of the Unarmed."
St. Cecilia Ringers
A collegiate bell choir is a rare thing, and we are lucky to have one! Membership is open to any student at Seton Hill that possesses basic music reading skills. Named for the patron saint of music, The St. Cecilia Ringers perform alongside the choral ensembles at our annual Christmas on the Hill offerings. We have premiered new pieces written for us and have performed arrangements of classic works by Handel, Grieg and Mozart as well.
Opportunities for Student Collaborative Pianists and Organists
The choral ensembles are supported by talented student keyboard artists in rehearsal and performance. Do you play piano, organ, or both? Do you love working with choral ensembles? Contact Dr. Boyle and learn more about working with choral activities!
Director of Choral Activities Mark A. Boyle
Mark A. Boyle, D.M.A. is an associate professor of music and Director of Choral and Vocal Activities at Seton Hill. In constant demand as a guest conductor, he has conducted the 800 voice choir at the Ocean Grove Choral Festival, several PMEA District Honor Choirs, the New Jersey Central Region Choir, All State choirs in Wisconsin and New Jersey and several county choirs throughout Pennsylvania. He also spent 5 years in the United States Navy, during which time he conducted the Bluejackets Memorial Choir. Dr. Boyle serves the American Choral Directors Association at the national and regional levels. His poetry has been set by Melissa Dunphy, Joseph Gregoria, Marques L. A. Garrett, and his regular writing partner, Peter de Mets.