New Choral Scholarship Opportunity for High School Students
New Opportunity for High School Students
The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is pleased to announce a new program for high-school-age students who may be interested in vocal training and involvement in the music of the Church. This new opportunity has several things to offer the successful applicant.
Designed for high school students demonstrating a keen interest in and fledgling skill for singing traditional Church Music, the program will begin in September of 2026 and continue through May of 2027. Boys and girls of high school age, spanning all voice parts (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) are encouraged to apply. Each student will receive private voice lessons from Denise Rivera, a well-known and accomplished teacher of voice at Viterbo University. All lessons will be held in downtown La Crosse, at Viterbo University. Rehearsals and Masses are held at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, where choral scholars will work with Scott Turkington, Director of Sacred Music and a nationally recognized leader in Roman Catholic music, with 50 years of experience in choral training, conducting, concertizing, and Gregorian Chant.
Program Details
This is a scholarship-only program. Please note that while there is no fee for the program, an audition will be required for participation.
For the accepted applicant, there are two available tracks:
Track A — The scholar will receive four private voice lessons per month, attend four Thursday evening rehearsals per month (with the larger Shrine choir), and sing for one Sunday 9:00 A.M. Mass per month, plus two Pontifical High Masses with Cardinal Burke.
Track B — The scholar will receive two private voice lessons per month, attend two Thursday evening rehearsals per month (with the larger Shrine choir), and sing for one Sunday 9:00 A.M. Mass per month.
Allowed absences: Track A scholars are permitted six missed voice lessons, six Thursday evening rehearsals, and two Sundays per year (September through May). Track B scholars are permitted three missed voice lessons, three Thursday evening rehearsals, and two Sundays per year (September through May).
Benefits to the Student
EXPERIENCE
- In addition to receiving private voice lessons, the Scholar will participate in an established program of Sacred Music which draws from the traditional treasury of Catholic music, from Gregorian chant to the present day.
- Singing in a choir with both amateur and professional singers is an invaluable experience.
EXPOSURE
- The young singers will be exposed to choral repertory drawn from many centuries, with an emphasis on 16th-century polyphonic music, often cited in Papal documents. Additionally, the corpus of Gregorian chant is deeply explored at the Shrine.
- Expert teaching from seasoned Catholic Church musicians.
How to Apply and More Information
Please direct any questions to Scott Turkington at sturkington@guadalupeshrine.org, (608) 615-7559. Please feel free to make an appointment for a visit with the Director of Sacred Music
High School Choir Camp
If you’d like to explore a possible involvement at the Shrine, please consider attending the Shrine’s Summer Choir Camp, led by six excellent music teachers, July 13 through 17, 2026. Scholarships for the camp are available. Learn more at GuadalupeShrine.org/choir-camp-high-school.
