OPUS Honor Choir

Every year the state of Iowa conducts screenings for the OPUS Honor choir. This choir represents some of the best of Iowa's middle school singers. Students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade will have the opportunity to learn and practice the screening materials. Some parts will be practiced during the school day as they benefit all learners on their singing journey. A short song component will be taught during before or after school practices. These occur once or twice a week for 3 weeks. Practices begin September 1st and End September 18th

Tuesday PM - 5/6th (Start 3:30pm - End 4:00pm)

Thursday PM- 5/6th (Start 3:30pm - End 4:15pm)

WEEKLY GOALS:

Receive Materials Meet the Teacher Night

Week 1 (Sept 1st-3rd) Know your voice part, have needed recordings, have sheet music in your hands

Week 2 (Sept 7th-9th): Have your scales learned really well, have America learned really well, know the audition selection at least 50%

Week 3 (Sept 15th-18th): Have everything learned and make a recording during a scheduled time before or after school.

Week 4 (Sept 21): Recordings submitted.

OPUS Audition Information 2026

Opus is an honor choir opportunity for students in grades 5-9, sponsored by the Iowa Choral Directors Association. Four choirs of 180 voices each will be chosen for this event. To audition, I have to send in a recording of you singing America, a Major Scale using solfege, and one specific audition excerpts according to your grade level for the 26-27 school year.

• Students will learn/review America and the Major Scale in class each year during the first week of choir.

• Students in 5/6th grade will have the option to come to outside practices and rehearsals to learn OPUS excerpts

• Students in 7/8th grade will use part of class time every other day to work on the Bass choir and Treble Choir Audition excerpt. 

• Students in Band interested in auditioning need only reach out to Mr. Gorman to schedule a time during Homeroom and Demon Time to practice.

Making the final OPUS recordings are not mandatory but are highly encouraged to all students in 6-8th grade. While it is an honor to make OPUS, all students who complete the audition process will be honored with recognition during our Fall concert - including a treat bag to take home at our Fall Concert. 

Students who are accepted will learn additional music for the performance and will attend the festival on Thursday, November 19th, 2026 at Iowa State University in Ames. Please make sure you have this date available before auditioning

Recordings will be made before or after school with Mr. Gorman September 14-18, 2026. Only the most prepared students will be considered. It is important that you listen to and/or practice on your own at home daily. I suggest at least 10-15 minutes per day, every day. At the very least attending our weekly rehearsals will help get you started.

Rehearsal tracks will be made available on the WMS Vocal Music website, via the buttons above on this page.  To access the page, you must use a student login: your school issued @washington.k12.ia.us account. If you would like access using another account, send me your email address and I will give you access through that account.

Please let me know if you have trouble accessing the tracks or music. Once you know your part, practice singing without the rehearsal tracks. All recordings will be made unaccompanied. 6th grade auditioners are highly encouraged to attend all practices beginning September 1st. Auditioners must sing the same voice part on all tracks. 

Please let me know if you have any questions!

David Gorman, WMS Vocal Director

dgorman@washington.k12.ia.us

Please email me for a direct link to the music and practice tracks at dgorman@washington.k12.ia.us