Women's Choral Society is a non-auditioned, all-ages community choir made up of treble voices (soprano and alto ranges) from the Eugene/Springfield area. We perform twice annually, showcasing a range of vocal styles including classical, traditional folk, show tunes, popular music from the 30s, 40s and 50s, world music, and contemporary compositions. We do not require auditions but ask that members be committed to learning to use their voices to elevate our sound, and to perform for audiences that appreciate the joy of choral music.
Our mission includes support for vocal students in the UO's School of Music and Dance—we award two scholarships per year to two students who perform as soloists and with the choir in our Winter concert.
Pre-Covid, WCS had a small ensemble group, Grace Notes, that sang at senior centers and facilities whose residents were unable to come to performances. Grace Notes is currently on hiatus, but WCS is continuing to expand its connections with other area choirs and audiences. The Eugene Gay Men’s Chorus were guests in our Spring 2022 concert, and we joined with several other choirs in a recent community concert to benefit Ukraine.
WCS was created in 1934, and we have sung under that name for 88 years. But our society is changing, and we need to be more conscious of diversity and inclusion among our membership, whether that be age, gender identity or ethnicity. We are undergoing a “visioning” process to examine our choir’s identity, mission and commitment to inclusion. Meanwhile, we are keeping the historical name of the choir but are using the term “treble voices” (soprano and alto ranges) to open us to a broader spectrum of our community.
One last word on Covid protocols. We are currently a mask-optional choir. We adhere to guidelines from Lane County Public Health and the University of Oregon regarding masking; our masking protocol may change if their recommendations or guidelines change.
