Come Add Your Voice
All are welcome to sing: sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses alike. (Though if you ask around, you’ll hear we’re always looking for a few more tenors.) Online registration opens every August, ahead of rehearsals beginning in October.
Registering in advance is highly encouraged, as it helps us move quickly through check-in on your first day of rehearsal.
Why Join Voices of Omaha?
This is more than a rehearsal schedule. It’s a season spent giving, learning, and belonging together.
A Gift You Help Give
Every performance of Handel’s Messiah is offered to Omaha free of charge, and every chorus member plays a part in making that possible. When you join, you’re not just singing. You’re helping carry forward a tradition that’s given this community a free concert for over 50 years.
A Place Among Neighbors
You’ll find yourself standing next to people you might never have crossed paths with otherwise, drawn together for one shared purpose. Many singers return year after year, not just for the music, but for the friendships and community they’ve found along the way.
Learn as You Sing
Every season brings the chance to go deeper into the music itself, learning about Baroque style, Handel’s life, and the story behind one of the most influential works ever composed. It’s a rare opportunity to understand this classic from the inside, not just perform it.
A Masterwork Open to All
Handel’s Messiah is one of the most performed choral works in history, and you don’t need a music degree or a formal audition to be part of it. Whether you’ve sung it a dozen times or never once, there’s a place for your voice in this chorus.
Answers to some
Frequently Asked Questions
New to the chorus, or just curious? Here’s what you need to know before you join.
Do I need to audition to join?
No, chorus membership is open to anyone interested in singing.
Is there a lower age limit for singers?
Yes, singers must be at least a freshman in high school (or the equivalent) to join.
Do I need to read music or already know my part?
No. You’ll just need to learn your part by the Saturday rehearsal with the orchestra. Online tools are available to help you learn your part outside of weekly rehearsals.
What does it cost to join?
General membership dues are $50, and a Messiah score costs $30 if you don’t already have one (the Bärenreiter edition is preferred). Fundraising opportunities are available throughout the season, and direct donations are always welcome.
For high school students, active military members, and veterans, dues and fundraising participation are fully covered. Tuxes are provided for high school students if needed.
Beyond that, the only personal costs are transportation and concert attire.
How do I register?
You’re welcome to pre-register online so we know to expect you, or register in person at the first rehearsal. Either way, we’ll ask whether you’d like to purchase Messiah vocal score or a poinsettia to help decorate the performance stage.
Where do rehearsals and the performance take place?
Sunday rehearsals are held at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church (7706 S. 96th Street, La Vista, Nebraska); enter through the main doors facing 96th Street. The Saturday orchestra rehearsal and Sunday performance both take place at the Holland Performing Arts Center (1200 Douglas Street, Omaha, Nebraska); enter through the stage door facing Dodge Street.
Where do I park?
At Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, there’s plenty of free parking surrounding the building. At the Holland Center, you’ll find street parking or the parking garage just north across Dodge Street.
Are rehearsals open to visitors?
No, rehearsals are closed to the public, including friends and family who aren’t singing with the group.
Can I miss a rehearsal?
Yes. We encourage attending every rehearsal, but you’re allowed to miss one Sunday rehearsal. Attendance at the Saturday orchestra rehearsal and Sunday performance is required. If you have concerns about missing rehearsals, please reach out and let us know.
Can I use my own Messiah score?
Yes. The conductor and orchestra perform from Bärenreiter parts, and most of the chorus sings from that edition, though scores from G. Schirmer or Novello are also acceptable. Bärenreiter vocal scores are provided for all high school singers.
What’s the dress code for the performance?
All singers wear concert black.
For women, that means a solid black long-sleeved dress, or a solid black long-sleeved blouse with a solid black floor-length skirt or slacks, paired with black shoes. Please keep jewelry minimal (discreet earrings only, if any) and skip perfume.
For men, that means a black tux or suit with a white shirt, black bow tie, black socks, and black shoes. Please skip cologne. Tuxes are provided for high school singers if needed, with a fitting at a local tux shop.
Which pieces from the Messiah do we perform?
We don’t perform the Messiah in its entirety. Our artistic director selects the program each year, and while many favorites return annually, a few selections change from year to year.
Who do I contact if I have more questions?
Reach out to our president, Kathy Kruger, at president@voicesofomaha.org.
Ready to Sing?
The sooner you sign up, the smoother your first rehearsal will go. Come add your voice to a tradition that’s been giving Omaha a free gift of music for over 50 years.