Una Vocis Choral Ensemble is an auditioned adult choir centered in Mason City, Iowa. Una Vocis is directed by Dennis Lee of Mason City and accompanied by Mary Jane Crail of Clear Lake.

Our Mission Statement:
Building on the musical heritage of north Iowa, the mission of Una Vocis Choral Ensemble is to cultivate and celebrate the connections between audience, singers and composers. This diverse community entertains, educates and uplifts through innovative programming and artistic distinction.

A brief history of Una Vocis:

The Una Vocis Choral Ensemble began as the passion and brain-child of founder and Artistic Director Dennis Lee. Lee studied and performed music throughout his years in the Mason City public school system, going on to study music at North Iowa Area Community College and Iowa State University. At Iowa State his music studies focused on vocal performance, choral conducting, and choral music literature.

After his 1990 graduation from Iowa State University, Lee moved to Seattle, Washington, where he directed a church choir and was a member of the Seattle Symphony Chorale with his wife, Camille.

In 1995 Lee and his family moved back to Mason City and immediately became involved in music opportunities. Lee took a job as choir director for First Congregational Church in Mason City and was a regular substitute for First Presbyterian Church in Mason City. In 1997 Lee accepted the position of Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church, but continued directing at First Congregational through 1998. In the spring of 1998 First Presbyterian hosted its first annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah under Lee’s direction. The Messiah event included singers and orchestra members from around North Iowa and continued annually for several years; after the Messiah event in 2001, the frequency of this performance was reduced to every other year. Many of the North Iowa Messiah Choir members wanted to sing throughout the year and looked to Lee for opportunities.

In response to the urging of many fine musicians and his own passion for creating wonderful choral music, Lee decided to found a new auditioned adult choral ensemble in North Iowa. The pure sonority and repertoire of choirs such as the Dale Warland Singers inspired Lee; thus the name Una Vocis, Latin for 'one of voice' was chosen for the group being formed.

After much planning and preparation of music, Una Vocis held auditions in January 2005. The initial group had its work cut out for it, as the ensemble was to join together with the First Presbyterian Church adult choir to premiere a new eight-part a cappella Stephen Paulus work commissioned by members of First Presbyterian Church in honor of that church’s centennial celebration. Una Vocis quickly rose to the challenge and performed its first concert, 'A Century of Choral Music,' to complement the world premiere event of the Paulus piece.

Since that first concert, Una Vocis Choral Ensemble has performed two main concerts per year, each showcasing rich, challenging choral music. Una Vocis has performed world premieres of thirteen new choral works! The group has grown from its original 24 fine voices to 42.



Rehearsal schedule: Una Vocis rehearses on Thursday evenings from 6:30PM to ~9:00PM at First Presbyterian Church in Mason City.  

If you would like to become part of this group see the Audition Information.