The Scop, Avila’s literary magazine, is published at the end of each spring semester. Students comprise the entire editorial staff under the guidance of the Scop advisor. The magazine pub- lishes the best prose, poetry and non-fiction the university has to offer. Submissions are open to all Avila students, faculty, and staff, and awards are offered for the best work in each genre. Choral Ensembles University Singers  is an auditioned choral ensemble performing challenging, eclectic litera- ture. University Singers performs both on and off campus for special events and scheduled con- certs. Members of the ensemble serve a ambassadors for the university, touring each spring and performing in  high schools and other venues across the Midwest. A portion of each tour is ded- icated to the Sisters of St. Joseph in locations such as Minnesota, New York, California, and St. Louis. Future plans include competitions culminating in additional performances across the United State and Europe. Any student is welcome to audition for University Singers. Students auditioning for the ensem- ble should be prepared to sight-read pitches and rhythms. Selection for the ensemble will be based on tone quality, intonation, sight-reading ability, and musicianship. Performance grants are  available  to  reward  talent  and  participation.  For  more  information,  contact  the  Music Department chair at (816) 501-3651. Avila Singers is a non-auditioned choral ensemble intended for preparation and participation in public performances of sacred and secular choral music. The ensemble performs one major choral  work  each  semester  on  campus.  Past  performances  include  Handel’s  Messiah  and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Requiem. The ensemble is open to all students, faculty, and alumni who wish to participate. Performance grants are available; for more information, contact the Music Department chair at (816) 501-3651. Mock Trial Team Mock Trial is an intercollegiate activity that promotes critical thinking, cooperative problem solving, public speaking and mutual trust between team members while affording students the opportunity to actively participate in the trial process. Coached by both a professor and an attorney, students assume the roles of both attorneys and witness for a hypothetical case, and engage in trial activity and litigation in regional and national tournaments. Regardless of a stu- dent’s academic major or interests, Mock Trial is an excellent opportunity to learn important skills in a non-classroom environment. Theatre Theatre is both an academic and co-curricular activity at Avila. Students in both programs have the opportunity to work with theatre professors and some of the finest professional talent in the region. Students are encouraged to apply for theatre performance grants that reward talent and services  to  the  four  main-stage  productions.  Students  may  participate  in  backstage  assign- ments, acting, or house management and publicity. Students who major or minor in theatre may concentrate in acting, directing/producing, technical theatre, or musical theatre. Contact the director of theatre (816) 501-2411 for more information. AVILA UNIVERSITY 30