SMÂÛ̳

Nebraska Wesleyan University choirs stand on the belief that making beautiful music together inspires us to become more compassionate, expressive, mindful, and caring people. All choral ensembles are open to students, regardless of major or class standing, and music scholarships are available to all incoming students. Our choirs are supportive, nurturing communities where students thrive both musically and personally. 

Music scholarships are available to all incoming students. 

University Choir

The Nebraska Wesleyan University Choir is an auditioned ensemble open to all students. Rehearsals take place Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12–12:50 p.m. with Tom Trenney. 

The choir performs each year at SMÂÛ̳’s Music Showcase Concert, Christmas with Wesleyan, and the spring Big Sing. Students also take part in experiences like a meet-the-composer weekend, a week-long domestic tour, and an annual choral-orchestral performance. In Summer 2025, our students sang Mozart’s Requiem in Prague as part of a 10-day international tour. 

Chamber Singers

Nebraska Wesleyan’s Chamber Singers welcomes all singers, regardless of major. No audition is required. The ensemble rehearses Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11–11:50 a.m. with Tom Trenney. 

Chamber Singers performs annually for the Music Showcase Concert, Christmas with Wesleyan, and the spring Big Sing. 

Gold Standard Singers

The Gold Standard Singers is a select a cappella ensemble directed by Eric Wyler. The group performs a variety of styles including jazz, pop, musical theatre, choral, and more. 

Rehearsals take place Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12–12:50 p.m., combined with University Choir. 

The ensemble performs regularly on campus and in the Lincoln community, contributing to special events throughout the year. 

Unity Choir

Unity Choir is open to all SMÂÛ̳ students, alumni, faculty, staff, and members of the surrounding community. No audition is required. Rehearsals take place Sunday evenings from 7:00–8:45 p.m. during the second eight weeks of each semester. 

This eight-week course focuses on communal singing of music from diverse composers and cultures that are traditionally underrepresented. Community members may register by contacting ttrenney [at] nebrwesleyan.edu (ttrenney[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu). 

Opera

For more than 30 years, Nebraska Wesleyan has offered students the opportunity to perform opera. Courses are open to students of any major and taught by Dr. Dawn Pawlewski Krogh. 

Students study acting, audition technique, movement, dance and directing and take part in every aspect of production, including costuming, makeup, lighting, scenic design, props, choreography, musical direction and stage management. 

Recent spring productions have included operas by Puccini, Mozart, Johann Strauss, Menotti, Haydn, Stravinsky, and Humperdinck.