The mission of The NDSU Challey School of Music is to provide academic programs and artistic performances that serve our students through professional preparation and fine arts enrichment. The School also strives to serve the world-wide community through the excellence of our widespread performances, opportunities and endeavors. The Choral Series is part of the mission to serve our world-wide community of musicians and supporters.
One of the goals of the NDSU Challey School of Music Choral Series is to enable the creation of quality choral music for all types of choirs. The music selected for this series has a wide range of voicings and difficulties which can meet the needs of choral musicians everywhere. The NDSU Challey School of Music Choral Series is committed to publishing high-quality choral music written by composers and arrangers who believe in the power that choral music has to enrich and enhance the lives of all.
Choral music at NDSU has had a long tradition of excellence in choral music. Edwin Fissinger was the Director of Choral Activities and brought national acclaim to the NDSU Concert Choir. Jo Ann Miller is the current Director of Choral Activities and has continued that tradition of excellence, both on a national and international scale. The NDSU Challey School of Music Choral Series also honors our long tradition of excellence in the choral art.
1: (Easy) No divisi in voice parts, accompaniment doubles or supports vocal parts, diatonic, symmetrical phrases, textures mostly homophonic, simple rhythms, stepwise voice leading (conjunct), moderate ranges, no extended techniques, and limited sustained singing.
2: (Medium Easy) Limited divisi, voices somewhat independent from accompaniment, some chromatics, phrases may be longer or more fragmented, mostly homophonic, moderate rhythmic complexity, some difficult intervals (disjunct motion), moderate ranges, extended techniques are simple, limited sustained singing.
3. (Medium) Limited divisi, unaccompanied, or with independent accompaniment (voice parts not doubled), many chromatics, phrases of varying lengths, more contrapuntal textures, moderately complex rhythms, some difficult intervals (disjunct motion), moderately difficult/challenging ranges, extended techniques are potentially challenging, and some sustained singing.
4. (Medium Difficult) Abundant divisi, unaccompanied, or accompanying instruments are fully independent from voice parts, many chromatics and/or key changes, long and/or broken phrases, potentially little homophony, complex rhythms, many difficult intervals (disjunct motion), difficult/challenging ranges, potentially difficult extended techniques, and a demand for sustained singing.
5. (Difficult) Adundant divis, unaccompanied, or accompanying instruments are fully independent from voice parts, many chromatics and/or key changes, long and/or broken phrases, potentially little homophony, complex rhythms, extreme ranges, use of challenging or unusual extended vocal techniques, abundant sustained singing.