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 4 weeks. Practices begin September 2nd and End September 25th.

Monday PM - 7/8th TREBLE (Start 3:25pm - End 4:00pm)

Tuesday AM - NO PRACTICE

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

Wednesday AM - 7/8th TREBLE (Start 7:35am - End 8:05am)

Wednesday PM - 7/8th BASS (Start 3:25pm - End 4:00pm)

Thursday AM - 7/8th BASS (Start 7:35am - End 8:05am)

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

WEEKLY GOALS:

Week 1 (Sept 2-5) Know your voice part, have needed recordings, have sheet music in your hands

Week 2 (Sept 8-12): Have your scales learned really well, have America learned really well, know the audition selection at least 50%

Week 3 (Sept 14-18): Have everything learned well, schedule a time to make audition recording for the FINAL WEEK.

Week 4 (Sept 21-25): Arrive at one of the scheduled weekly practices. Complete the recordings with Mr. Gorman. All recordings must be done by Thursday September 25th, 2025.

OPUS Audition Information 2025

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 2025-2026 school year.

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

Students who are accepted will learn additional music for the performance and will attend the festival on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at Iowa State University in Ames. Please make sure you have this date available before auditioning

Recordings will be made at school with Mr. Gorman September 23-25, 2025. These are very selective groups and 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 button 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. You will be expected to practice with me at least one out of two available before or school practices per week starting September 2nd and you must sing the same voice part on all tracks. 6th grade auditioners are highly encouraged to attend all practices beginning September 2nd.

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