Welcome to Lyrica!
This treble-voice ensemble has embraced an exciting new mission to explore musical sounds and practices from many traditions. Our repertoire draws from a wide range of cultures and genres and we seek to experience the authentic vocal sounds and stylings of each musical origin. In rehearsals, woven in with familiar practices, we learn and experience music through movement, improvisation, call and response, and communal direction. Voice development is a key component and the ensemble provides an opportunity for sopranos and altos who wish to continue their high school singing. Annual traditions include participation in the Collage of Choirs, Holiday, and Masterworks Concerts in Stephens Auditorium.
Lyrica seeks out cultural clinicians from around the world for in-person, immersive experiences with authentic sound, style, and technique. Recent partnerships have included the featured projects below plus workshops with Moira Smiley (Irish folk and body percussion), Tony Stevens (South African music and drumming), Afshin Sepehri (Iranian and Persian music), Val Williams (tango and samba), and Tina Haase Findlay (jazz and blues).
- Michael Londra – Ireland with Michael National Tour. Here is a pre-show rehearsal moment.
- Debut of “One Spirit,” a new folk-rock fusion video with Persian-Israeli artists, Hadar Maoz.
- Live concert performance with Brazilian artist Paula Padilha and his band. Here is “O Sol e a Saudade.
In addition to our musical aspirations, Lyrica is also an ISU student organization. We have a panel of student leaders and consciously create a vibrant and engaged choral community with several social events during the year.
Lyrica (MUS 141) rehearses on MWF from 2:10 – 3:00 p.m
Count Me In! is an SSAA a cappella group that draws from Cantamus and Lyrica. Learn more here!
Audition Sign-Up
Auditions for all ensembles take place August 17-20. You sign up for a time by visiting 111 Simon Estes Music Hall, where you’ll see two audition options: If you are a tenor or bass, sign up for a time with Dr. Rodde. If you are a soprano or alto, you should sign up for audition with Dr. Rodgers to be heard for Cantamus and Lyrica and with Dr. Rodde only if you are interested in the Iowa State Singers. You can do both auditions to be considered for all three choirs that involved treble voices. If you are unable to sign-up for an audition time or posted times are not possible for you, please contact Dr. Rodde (jrodde@iastate.edu) or Dr. Rodgers (rodgersj@iastate.edu) to make other arrangements.
If you would like to get an ensemble on your schedule sooner, sopranos and altos should register for MUS 141, and tenors and basses for MUS 151B, as your class schedule permits. If you have an interest in auditioning for the Iowa State Singers (mixed ensemble) attempt to keep the 12:00 hour free in your weekly schedule
(M-F). Final rosters will be determined during the first week of classes.
Audition Process
Each audition will last about seven minutes. We’ll sing some brief vocalises and tonal memory exercises. You are encouraged to bring a prepared solo if you have one, but this is not at all required. Finally, a short sight-reading or rhythm passage may be a part of your audition depending on your goals.
“I am consistently impressed with the style and energy of the Lyrica ensemble. The way they throw themselves, body and voice, into the music they create is a beautiful thing to. witness. There’s a real sense of unity within the group that’s evident when they perform. I walk into their concerts with curiosity, and I always leave with a yearning to explore something new in music and share it with others. Based on their performance, I feel like there’s this beautiful trust between all the singers. Not only do they trust each other to all sing, but the trust reassures them that they’re all in this together. They are completely united in music and art, and it’s such a powerful aspect of their performance… I feel like I say this after every Lyrica concert, but I absolutely love how connected they are with the audience. Not only through audience participation, but all of their music feels more intimate and personal in a lovely and refreshing way.” - quote from a concert review (2023)
Performances:
Bando Ribineann (arr. Michael McGlynn)
Níl Sé’n Lá (arr. David Downes)
Jerusalem & Jubilanten: Lyrica’s Soundscape concert in November 2021 opened with Michael McGlynn’s atmospheric setting of “Jerusalem” and Jan Magne Førde’s “Jubilanten.”
Feeling Good: Our cultural clinician for the Fall of 2021 was Tina Haase Findlay – award-winning jazz and blues hall of famer! She joined us on Dorothy Horn’s arrangement of Bricusse & Newley’s “Feeling Good” along with students from our jazz bands and jazz faculty, Mike Giles.
Stephen Hatfield: Las Amarilla
Mendelssohn: Surrexit Pastor Bonus
Traditional American Gospel: Precious Lord
Singing with the marching band and Simon Estes!
