While an audition is required for joining, musical backgrounds of the members differ widely and have included participation in school choruses, bands, orchestras, show choirs, church choirs, musical theater, and rock bands. The Paul Laurence Dunbar Chorale specializes in the performance of African American sacred music. The ensemble's repertoire includes spirituals, hymns, anthems, traditional and contemporary gospel music, and classically influenced repertoire from the African American tradition. Other mediums of liturgical expression such as liturgical dance, sign-interpretation and mime are also included in select performances. Membership in the ensemble is diverse, and includes a variety of students majoring in various disciplines, along with non-traditional students and University staff.
Students earn one university credit for their participation.
The Paul Laurence Dunbar Chorale presents concerts and performances on campus, throughout the Dayton metropolitan community, through tours to various regions. The Wright State Women's Chorale is an auditioned ensemble of 70-80 women's voices. The ensemble performs significant choral music selected from a wide variety of historical, compositional, and cultural traditions. Only in it's fourth year, the choir has already achieved a reputation as an ensemble of artistry and excitement. University Chorus often joins forces with other instrumental and choral ensembles for presentations of masterworks, as well as the popular Holidays in the Heartland concert.