A tremendous year for KU Choral!
The Choral Suite
Dr. Bob Daugherty
Thanks to a generous donation from the Sandra Keller-Daugherty Foundation, an extensive renovation of the KU Choral Suite (Murphy Hall, Room 330) was undertaken in the summer and fall of 2008. The renovation included the removal of all old fixtures, repainting of the room, the addition of new light fixtures, the replacement of all window blinds, and the addition of new bookcases, desks, and chairs. The reorganization of the suite provides easier access to the scores housed in one of the best collegiate choral libraries in the US, and also ensures office space for our eight Choral Graduate Teaching Assistants.
Click here for full article.
KU Traditions Night
The annual KU Traditions Night reintroduced the performance by a choral ensemble this year! The KU Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Paul Tucker, performed Jamaican Medley and joined the KU Marching Band in the performance of the Alma Mater and the Rock Chalk cheer. The addition of choral music to this event was warmly received by the incoming freshmen and their families.
Participation Increasing
The number of students participating in the KU Choral program reached a new high in 2008-2009, with over 330 individuals auditioning in the fall semester. This increase in numbers comes largely as a result of more non-music majors becoming more active in choral singing at the university. We expect this trend to continue in the future.
Collage Concert
The 2008 annual Music & Dance Collage Concert featured outstanding performances by both the Chamber Singers and the Men’s Glee. The Collage Concert is one of the fund raising efforts by the school to raise money for student opportunities. The 2009 Collage Concert is set for September 25, 2009 at the Lied Center.
The 84th Annual Vespers
The KU Symphonic Chorus participated in one of the most exciting Vespers performances in recent history on December 7, 2008. The program featured a video presentation highlighting Vesper programs from the distant past, and a montage of slides that served as a backdrop for a choral/orchestral medley of Holiday songs. The audience was also treated to a video presentation showing the weeks of preparation leading up to this year’s performance. Audience feedback on the presentation sited the choice of music, the variety in the presentation, and the brevity of the concert, as commendable features.
Holiday at Edwards
Two days after the exciting Vespers programs, the KU Concert Choir was again hard at work as they performed a concert of holiday music for an audience at the KU Edwards campus on December 9, 2008. The choir braved a severe ice storm and freezing temperatures to travel to Johnson County. The concert was such a success that the choir has been asked to return this year for a repeat performance.
Concert Choir at KMEA
On Friday, February 27th, the KU Concert Choir again distinguished itself as the state’s top collegiate choir following its selection for performance in the Kansas Music Educators Association’s In-Service President’s Concert. The President’s Concert features the top selection of both choral and instrumental ensembles for that year. This was the second such invitation for this group, having been selected previously in 2007. This year, for the first time, both selected ensembles came from KU with the KU Wind Ensemble joining Concert Choir for the performance.
Listen to selections of this concert here.
Chamber Singers on Tour
The KU Chamber Singers, under Dr. Tucker’s leadership, made a trip to Parsons, Kansas, for the Alumni Association Arts Night. In addition to performing an open concert for alumni, family and friends, the group visited Parsons High School, where they performed and answered question for the students. The Alumni Arts Night Concert also featured the KU Saxophone Quartet and a number from KU Saxophone Professor, Vince Gnojek accompanied by Paul Tucker, on the piano.
Liszt Symposium
On April 29th the Concert Choir presented a truly memorable performance for the attendees to the National Liszt Society Symposium Concert in Bales Organ Recital Hall. This year’s symposium, held on the KU campus, and entitled, “Liszt and the Art of Transcription,” featured two new choral transcriptions, “Requiem” and “Fragile”, both set by Dr. Paul Tucker.
Listen to selections of this concert here.
Remembrances
The spring semester culminated for Concert Choir with the most challenging concert program of the year entitled, “Remembrances.” The concert featured Spirit of Mt. Oread, composed by the late John Pozdro, with text by Dr. Jared Grantham. Also featured on the program were the Duruflé Requiem and Peter Matthews’ A Prayer. In order to accommodate the expected audience in Bales Organ Recital Hall, the program was performed both at 4:30 & 7:30 on Sunday May 5th, and was a collaboration between the choir and Dr. Higdon on the organ.
Summer Masters Program
The 2009 summer semester saw the start of our new summer masters program in Choral Conducting. Teachers now have the opportunity to complete a masters degree in as little as three summer sessions. This program fits the needs of those who are unable to leave their jobs for two full years of study to pursue the degree. As one of the few programs available in the country, this program promises to be a popular draw for the Choral graduate program.
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