Jan 03, 2015 12:06 AM EST By J Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

Western Illinois University will start a choral ensemble for men, school officials announced.

The Community Music School at the Macomb-based school will launch a men's chorus program which will be open to high-school aged students and community members. Rehearsals for the program will begin in late January.

The program will be directed by Brad Pierson, assistant professor of choral music education at the university.  He is also the director of the University's Concert Choir. 

School officials said the purpose of the men's chorus program is to provide McDonough County with high-quality entertainment through regular performances, and help enrich the community by demonstrating and "fostering a love of music."

Another goal of the program is to support the educational development of men who seek to improve their singing ability and musical knowledge through vocal music training, rehearsal and performance. It plans to also provide "fellowship experiences for musical self expression."

Auditions are not required for the Men's Chorus, but singers must pay a per-semester fee of $30 to participate. The fee, due by Feb. 10, helps offset the cost of ordering music and hiring an accompanist. 

Rehearsals will be held Tuesday nights from 6-8 p.m. in Browne Hall, room 130. The first rehearsal will be Tuesday, Jan. 27 and the first concert will be Tuesday, April 21. 

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