Unum Vox (translated as “One Voice” and pronounced “oonoom vocks”) is designed to provide a weekly choral experience that enriches the typical high school choir experience by allowing students from a variety of schools to collaborate toward common musical goals. The ensemble is in the midst of its second concert season. Our hope is to solicit the participation of serious choral students from area high schools to sing in an ensemble whose artistic capabilities may far exceed that of their high school ensembles. Additionally, Unum Vox engages singers in conversations about literature selection and introduces choral music from a diverse set of world cultures. Student singers take these experiences (and the skills they develop) with them to enhance their hometown choirs.
Unum Vox is different from other honor choir opportunities in the following ways:
- Unlike single-day/weekend collegiate or conference sponsored choral festivals, Unum Vox presents a full season of concert performances and engages in weekly rehearsals from September through May on Sundays from 6:00-8:00 pm.
- Unum Vox rehearses in a location at a distance reasonably traveled by most singers and/or their parents on a weekly basis (Cambridge).
- As long as it proves financially feasible, ECMC will not charge students to participate in Unum Vox. The only costs incurred by singers will be those of transportation to and from rehearsals/performances, a three-ring binder, and concert attire. This is made possible by a generous Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant from the East Central Arts Council/East Central Regional Development Committee as appropriated by the Minnesota state constitution.
- Because the group is sponsored by ECMC, mentorship opportunities with seasoned singers from our region of the state are a frequent part of the activities of Unum Vox. Student singers are exposed to the potential for singing in “life after high school."
- Student singers are treated as semi-professionals and are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances. In the event a singer is ill or unable to attend, they will be expected to communicate openly with the director with as much lead time as possible.
- Ambassadorship is central to membership in Unum Vox. It is important that the ensemble represents the communities of our arts region with dignity at all times.
Auditions for Unum Vox are held in late May and early June. Please contact Mark Potvin (markgpotvin@hotmail.com • (612) 889-2791) to schedule an audition. In the audition, singers should be prepared to:
- Sing “My Country ‘tis of Thee” both a cappella and with piano accompaniment.
- Sight-read a harmony part of a simple hymn chosen by Mr. Potvin.
- Repeat a tonal pattern of 5-8 pitches after hearing it played on the piano two times.
- Discuss their experiences in choral music with Mr. Potvin.
- Provide pertinent contact information on a form available at the audition.
