.jpg)
Chamber Singers, conducted by Dr. Angela Batey, is an auditioned mixed-voice choir which performs a variety of music from all historical periods. In addition to regular concerts on campus, the Chamber Singers have performed throughout the United States and abroad for community arts groups, State and Division Conventions of the American Choral Directors Association, Christmas at Biltmore House, and as the invited residential choir at Canterbury Cathedral, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, London, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh as well as in Dublin, Cork, and Limerick, Ireland and Belfast and DownPatrick, Northern Ireland.
Concert Choir, conducted by Dr. Laura Leigh Spillane, is an auditioned mixed ensemble whose membership represents a variety of academic disciplines. This choir performs music ranging from unaccompanied Renaissance motets to contemporary compositions. In addition to concerts on campus, the Concert Choir has performed on national public and cable television, with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, and at conventions of various professional music organizations.
Men’s Chorale, conducted by Professor Tim Ward, is an auditioned TTBB ensemble dedicated to preserving the tenor/bass choir tradition and to performing a wide variety of music written specifically for those voices. In addition to regularly scheduled concerts, this group occasionally joins with other UT choirs to perform major works of the choral repertoire.
Women’s Chorale, conducted by Ms. Carolyn Gahan, is an auditioned SSAA ensemble that performs a wide variety of music written specifically for treble voices. This group, whose membership is drawn from throughout the university, performs in regularly scheduled concerts and periodically joins with other UT choirs to perform major works of the choral repertoire.
Gospel Choir, conducted by Professor Shawn Turner, is an auditioned SATB ensemble dedicated to choral music of the African-American tradition. The membership of this group is drawn from throughout the university and community and is the newest choral offering from the School of Music Choral Area.
UT Singers, directed by Professor Landon Paul, is an ensemble of vocalists who perform a variety of popular music. Each year this group performs for University audiences, alumni, civic groups, and school audiences. The UT Singers have been recognized by the State General Assembly as “Tennessee’s Musical Ambassadors.”
Spring Concert 2024
Tuesday,
March 26, 2024
7:30 p.m.
University of Tennessee
Women's Chorale
Carolyn Gahan, conductor
Andrea Gantte, accompanist
Weep No More
David Childs
(b. 1969)
Ave Generosa
Ola Gjeilo
(b. 1978)
Jordyn Useforge and Izzy Johnson, soloists
Hail, girl of a noble house
shimmering and unpolluted,
you pupil in the eye of chasity,
you essence of sanctity,
which was pleasing to God.
Hildegard von Bingen
(1098-1179)
Lineage
Andrea Ramsey
(b. 1977)
Sarah Kitts, graduate conductor
Andrea Gantte, Kaitlyn Smith, Carolyn Gahan, percussion
Tree of Peace
Gwyneth Walker
(b. 1947)
VOLume
Waverly Watkins, director
Sixteen Tons
arr. Kirby Shaw
UT Singers
Landon Paul, director
Run to You
Kevin Olusola
Avi Kaplan
Scott Hoying
Mitch Grassi
Kirstin Maldonado
Ben Bram
Amelia Zahn, student conductor
reVOLution
Waverly Watkins, director
I Will Survive
arr. Riley Granger
Kings and Queens
arr. Andrea Gantte
University of Tennessee
Men's Chorale
Professor Tim Ward, conductor
Sarah Kitts, graduate assistant
Melony Dodson, accompanist
Vive L’Amour
arr. Alice Parker
(1925-2023)
& Robert Shaw
(1916-1999)
James Willbanks, soloist
Dirait-on from Les Chansons des Roses #5
Morten Lauridsen
(b.1943)
The Sally Gardens
Irish Tune
arr. Benjamin Britten
(1913-1976)
Poem by William Butler Yeats, published in 1899
Translation of Dirait-on (So They Say)
Abandon surrounding abandon,
tenderness touching tenderness...
Your oneness endlessly
caresses itself, so they say;
Self-caressing
Through its own clear reflection.
Thus you invent the theme
of Narcissus fulfilled.
Rainer Maria Rilke
(1875-1926)
Translation: Barbara and Erica Muhl
Zion’s Walls from Old American Songs
adpt. Aaron Copland
(1900-1990)
arr. Glenn Koponen
Carolyn Gahan, graduate conductor
The Pasture
Randall Thompson
(1899-1984)
Poem by Robert Frost from 'You Come Too’, 1959
Waverly Watkins, graduate conductor
Do You Hear the People Sing? from Les Misérables
arr. Ed Lojeski
Jacob Cottrell, Jacob Engle, Jake Booker, soloists
UT Gospel Choir
Professor Shawn Turner, conductor
Professor Taber Gable, collaborative artist
Lord, You Reign
Bishop Leonard Scott
(b. 1949)
Even Me
William B. Bradbury
(b. 1816-1868)
arr. Patrick Lundy
(b. 1967)
Jehovah Sabaoth with Total Praise
Donald Lawrence
(b. 1961)
Richard Smallwood
(b. 1948)
arr. Tim Paul
He's My Rooftop
Jerry Peters
arr. Ricky Dillard
(b. 1965)
Dr. Angela Batey is recognized as a prominent conductor, clinician, adjudicator and teacher whose wide variety of experience encompasses professional, university, high school, community and church choruses. Dr. Batey served ten years as Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences and is currently Associate Dean in the College of Music, Director of Graduate Studies in the School of Music, Director of Choral Activities, and James Cox Professor of Music. She conducts the Chamber Singers and teaches conducting courses at the graduate levels. Dr. Batey is also Director of Music at Farragut Presbyterian Church.
She is a Past-President of the Tennessee American Choral Directors Association and is currently serving on the Executive Board of Southern Division ACDA. Batey has been Associate Conductor of Schola Cantorum of Florida, a professional chorus and Associate Music Director of the Florida Ambassadors of Music, and Festival Director of the International Cathedral Music Festival.
Dr. Batey has appeared as a clinician for the American Choral Directors Association, South Carolina Music Educators Association, Florida Vocal Association, East Tennessee Vocal Association, West Virginia Vocal Association, Georgia Vocal Association, and is a frequent adjudicator, clinician and guest conductor of choral festivals, honors choirs and educational workshops. Her concern for excellence in education is the focal point of her teaching career.
Dr. Batey holds two degrees from Birmingham-Southern College in Music Education and Musical Theatre, a master's degree from The Florida State University in Music Education and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from the University of South Carolina. In addition, she has studied Conducting with Hugh Thomas, Joseph Flummerfelt, Robert Shaw, Colleen Kirk, Clayton Krehbiel, Andre Thomas, Don V Moses and Larry Wyatt.
Dr. Laura Leigh Spillane is the Interim Associate Director of Choral Activities and Lecturer of Music Education at the UT College of Music, where she teaches courses in music education, graduate choral literature, and choral conducting, and conducts the Concert Choir. Prior to joining the faculty at Tennessee, she taught courses and led ensembles at Saddleback College and the Claremont Colleges in Southern California. As Senior Teaching Assistant for the USC Thornton School of Music, she served as Associate Conductor of USC’s premier choral ensemble, the Chamber Singers, and as Lead Conductor of the University Chorus.
A conductor, music educator, and soprano from the southeastern United States, Spillane previously served as a choral director at both the middle and high school levels in the Fulton County and Gwinnett County School Districts in Georgia and holds over a decade of professional church music service. She was honored as the inaugural recipient of the GA American Choral Directors Association Young Director Award in 2019.
Dr. Spillane holds the Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Music from the University of Southern California, where her fields of study were Musicology, Vocology, and Instrumental Conducting. Her dissertation research examined how trends in written range and tessitura impact vocal stamina in mixed-voice choral ensembles. She also holds the Master of Music degree in Conducting from the University of Georgia, where she was a Carl Hoveland Fellow and graduate assistant, and the Bachelor of Music Education degree from Reinhardt University, where she was a summa cum laude graduate. Her conducting teachers include Cristian Grases, Tram Sparks, Larry Livingston, Jo-Michael Scheibe, Daniel Bara, J.D. Burnett, and Martha Shaw. She is an active member of ACDA, NAfME, and NCCO.
Tim Ward has been the Director of Music for Church Street United Methodist Church, Knoxville, Tennessee since 2009. At Church Street, he oversees a music program of serval choirs and a concert series. Prior to this position at Church Street, he was the Director of Music at First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge for more than 20 years. Choirs under Tim’s direction have performed at Tennessee American Choral Director's Association, a National YoutCUE Conference and the Holston Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. His choirs have toured the US, Canada and England. Tim has a Bachelor of Sacred Music degree from East Carolina University, Greenville, NC and a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he studied conducting with David Stutzenberger. Tim has taught junior high and high school choral music and is Past President of Tennessee American Choral Directors Association. A few years ago, Tim taught undergraduate conducting at the University of Tennessee and has really enjoyed this semester directing the Men’s Choir.
Landon Paul is a proud alumnus of the University of Tennessee and holds two degrees in Music Education (bachelor of music in music education) and Choral Conducting (master’s degree). He hails from Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee and is in his sixth year of collegiate teaching experience between his time at UT and Johnson University. He directed UT Singers and conducted Women’s Chorale at UT. Professor Paul has also taught choral conducting, choral/vocal pedagogy, and the Vox Chorale ensemble at Johnson University. He also serves in full-time ministry as the Director of Corporate Worship and Men’s Ministry at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church and is pursuing ordination as a teaching elder in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
Shawn Turner is an alumnus of the UT College of Music, having completed a degree in Studio Music and Jazz. He has experience teaching in middle and high school levels and is the lead male vocalist in Pinky Ring and Aftah Party, local professional entertainment bands performing classic and modern R&B, Funk and Soul musics. He is also Artist in Residence at the Old City Performing Arts Center. Professor Turner has over twenty years of experience in church music ministry and currently serves as the Choir Director at Sevier Heights Baptist Church. He is excited to be joining the Choral Area of the College of Music in Fall 2023 as Director of Gospel Choir.
Carolyn Gahan is a second-year Graduate Teaching Assistant pursuing her master’s degree in Choral Conducting. She recently graduated summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee with a degree in vocal music education. Ms. Gahan studied voice with Professor Andrew Wentzel, and was involved in various ensembles at the university and the Knoxville community. She served on the executive board for The University of Tennessee’s CNAfME (College National Association for Music Educators) chapter throughout her undergraduate education. Additionally, she gained experience student teaching in Knox County and Lenoir City Schools. She is an active musician at a church in the Knoxville Community. Ms. Gahan is a member of the National Music Educators Association and the American Choral Directors Association.
Waverly Watkins is a second-year Graduate Teaching Assistant pursuing her master’s degree in Choral Conducting. She is the recipient of the prestigious Edward H. Hamilton graduate choral scholarship. She graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2022 with her bachelors of music in music education. Ms. Watkins studied voice with Professor Cecily Nall and has been involved in multiple UT ensembles throughout her university studies. She served as an officer in the College National Association for Music Educators and was the Music Education Specialist chair for the Alpha Kappa chapter of Alpha Delta Pi. Ms. Watkins student taught in Blount County Schools at Prospect and Rockford Elementary, as well as Heritage Middle and High School where she rehearsed and conducted multiple ensembles throughout the semester. In addition to her involvement with the University of Tennessee, Ms. Watkins is a choral scholar at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in Knoxville.
Sarah Kitts is a first-year Graduate Teaching Assistant from Seymour, Tennessee pursuing her master’s degree in Choral Conducting. She is a recent summa cum laude graduate from the University of Tennessee with her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Education. Ms. Kitts studied voice with Dr. Kimberly Roberts, and was a part of various vocal ensembles in the university and around the Knoxville area. She served as a member of UT’s CNAfME (College National Association for Music Educators) chapter, as well as Women of UT Music, TMEA (Tennessee Music Educators Association), and ACDA (American Choral Directors Association). In addition, she gained teaching experience in both Blount County and Knox County Schools at Heritage Middle school and Farragut High school where she taught and led multiple choirs. Ms. Kitts is actively involved in the music scene at UT as well as leading worship at her church.
Vocal Studies at the University of Tennessee
https://music.utk.edu/future-students/voice/
Whether your passion is for art songs, operatic arias or sacred music, it will be kindled during your tenure under the guidance of the voice faculty at the University of Tennessee College of Music. Drawing from a wide-ranging breadth of teaching and professional performing experience, the voice faculty will encourage and guide your growth in whichever direction you choose.
| Kevin Class | Kimberly Roberts |
| Eileen Downey | Stephen Salters |
| James Marvel | Andrew Skoog |
| Cecily Nall | Renée Tatum |
Studies in Vocal Music Education at the University of Tennessee
https://music.utk.edu/future-students/music-education/
The University of Tennessee has a long and honored tradition in the field of Music Education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Music Education program focuses on preparing prospective music educators for teaching music in grades K-12. The program is based on the National Standards for Arts Education in Music and the requirements for licensure established by the Tennessee Department of Education. The curriculum in vocal music education consists of courses in the latest techniques, strategies and methodologies for successful teaching. The music education faculty is diverse in its expertise and is current in the profession, often making local, national and international appearances and publishing in their respective areas.
| Loneka Battiste | David Royse |
| Fuller Lyon | Laura Leigh Spillane |
Michael Stewart
Men’s Chorale
Abe Abbott, Brett Beard, Jake Booher, Andrew Brittain, Benjamin Clark,
Jacob Cottrell, Jea’Von Crockett, William Dieal, Jacob Engle,
Jacob Hampton, Logan Kelly, Patrick Liposky, Daniel Lynch,
Drew Mattson, Aidan Moore, Joseph Pinzur, Cooper Sarphie,
Jackson Shriver, Nathan Taylor, Grant Trivette, Owen Wakefield,
Ryan Walker, Vlad Wheeler, James Willbanks, Andrew Williams, Jack W
Concert Choir
Jasmyne Baker, Brett Beard, Andrew Brittain, Jamie Burnett, Kennedy Byars,
Jaden Clark, Vallie Comstock, Alexander Davis, Carolyn Gahan, Eric Grigsby,
Kobey Harris, Vivian Hirst, Jantson Hundley, Reagan Imwalle, Sarah Kitts,
Virginia Klenske, Katherine Light, Avery Lyon, Daniella Martin, Daniel Lynch,
Breyana Meyer, Dahltyn Perkins, Joseph Pinzur, Leah Pruter, Ava Purkey,
Ivanna Rivera, Regina Rossi, Adison Shaw, Michael Skoda, Kaitlyn Smith,
Macy Smith, Zöe Stiles, Keelie Whitaker, Waverly Watkins, Luke Woodard,
Erica Zacharias
Women’s Chorale
Caden Ashton, Jen Baez, Alexia Bell, Alex Bozung, Natalie Caufman,
Madison Cutshaw, Jordyn Forbes, Britta Gaetjens, Cecilia Gerard,
Ashleigh Gideon, Afton Howard, Izzy Johnson, Vada Kaefang,
Samara Kassab, Sidney Kiner, Alaine Kirk, Ella Knight, Haleigh Latta,
Karley Lech, Natalie Lucksinger, Ashley Majni, Abigail McCarter,
Makayla Morgon, Annabelle Nalley, Eliza Noell, Sophie Noell, MC Northcutt,
Lexi Papadopoulos, Morgon Poston, Caroline Robinson, Alandra Savage,
Katie Scott, Kate Scully, Allison Thompson, Dighton Tokoi, Ella Trisler,
Jordyn Useforge, Katie Wilhoit, Abby Zupanci
Chamber Singers
Jackson Ahern, Deven Asbell, Sophie Barker, Ryan Beatty,
Sophie Bennett, Sana Boghani, Andrew Brittain, Hrishi Brooks, Braden Bruce,
Kevin Creelman, Amanda Fintak, Carolyn Gahan, Evan Gill, Arnashia Gray, Kyra Green,
Jackson Guthrie, Jonathan Hamner, Emma Howard, Jantson Hundley,
Katherine Jordan, Sarah Kitts, Alexa Ligons, Mikayla Maldonado, Ally McNabb,
Kallen Miller, Sherleen Mwaura, Sofa Owens, Amara Pappas, Emma Poppert,
Jasmin Power, Jacob Rinke, Solomon Sharp, Aidan Simmons, Kaitlyn Smith,
Kilmeny Sproles, Olivia Squires, Luke Tresner, Waverly Watkins, Rhiane West,
Sadie White, Logan Williams, TJ Williams, Teyah Young, Ameila Zahn
UT Singers
Matthew Bogardus, Hrishi Brooks, Braden Bruce, Zayli Christian,
Micaela DeCremer, Camden Elliot, Jacob Engle, Devan Hall,
Jasmine Hernandez, Ella Lewis, Mikayla Maldonado, Jacob Rinke,
Aidan Simmons, Georgia Smith, Luke Tresner, Teyah Young, Amelia Zahn
Gospel Choir
Alexander Anderson, Abbey Blalock, Jarret Bush, Karen Carter,
Jea'von Crockett, William Dieal, Jeanine Fuller, Abby Green,
Carolyn Greene, Nicole Hight, Anjanette Hile, Logan Holt,
Max Horsewood, Katie Kiser, David Lin, Kelly Mainor, Hana Maples,
Micah Owens, Rekiyah Owens, Jasmin Power, Jordan Ralls,
Jenny Ralls, Sharese Sims, Ashley Sims, Laura Taliaferro, Michael Westbrook
reVOLution
Sophie Barker, Evan Gill, Reagan Imwalle, Virginia Klenske, Karley Lech,
Natalie Lucksinger, Ally McNabb, Mary Chandler Northcutt, Emma Poppert,
Adison Shaw, Kilmeny Sproles, Allison Thompson, Dighton Tokoi, Sadie White
VOLume
Brett Beard, Ryan Beatty, Andrew Brittain, Alex Davis, Jacob Hampton,
Kobey Harris, JT Pinzur, Ryan Walker, Vlad Wheeler, TJ Williams
music.utk.edu/ensembles/choral
The University of Tennessee Choral Program has a long and rich tradition in choral excellence. Choral ensemble participation provides a rich tapestry of experiences and opportunities for students all across campus. For many years, choral music at UT has been one of the largest student participation activities on campus. Thousands of UT students have shared the adventure of preparing and presenting concerts to audiences of all kinds and sizes—regionally, nationally and internationally—and from these encounters they take away valuable musical memories and friendships. The energy generated by these singers makes UT an exciting place to sing and creates a splendid setting in which to create music, develop personal artistry, and participate in the power of voices joined in song. In short, choral music at the University of Tennessee echoes the rest of the UT experience—new ideas, new approaches, and new understandings!
UT choral ensembles offer a myriad of opportunities for singers. All students may be a part of this exciting experience by participating in one or more of the University’s choirs: Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, Men’s Chorale, Women’s Chorale, or UT Singers. By singing in these choirs, students enjoy the rewards of performing a variety of great choral literature. They also benefit from these opportunities by developing lasting friendships with other students who have similar interests. All UT choirs are open to any UT student, regardless of major or previous choral background, and offer one hour of undergraduate or graduate credit as well as qualifying for the Applied Arts and Humanities requirement in VOLCore.
When you sing in choir at UT, you will find yourself performing music from across many centuries of tradition and experience. Our ensembles regularly perform with orchestra in larger works. Our singers are introduced to various languages, and are exposed to music from other cultures and epochs.
For students interested in being choral conductors, the College of Music offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs that lead to this career goal. The graduate choral conducting program features a wealth of conducting experiences in a variety of choral settings and an academic preparation that leads to successful careers in choral music. The curriculum focuses on literature, style, rehearsal techniques, score reading, and problem solving for each level of choir, and is designed to provide the student with a thorough knowledge of the choral repertoire. Graduates of the College of Music hold choral positions throughout the United States in public schools, churches, and colleges and universities.
Natalie L. Haslam Music Center • 1741 Volunteer Boulevard
Knoxville, TN 37996-2600 • 865-974-3241 • music.utk.edu
All-East/All-State Preparatory Clinic
August 26, 2023
Natalie L. Haslam Music Center
Fall Concert
September 26, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
James R. Cox Auditorium,
Alumni Memorial Building
UT Singers Homecoming Concert
November 3, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall,
Natalie L. Haslam Music Center
Women's Chorale Showcase Concert
November 05, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.
Farragut Presbyterian Church
Chamber Singers Outreach Concert
November 19, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.
Farragut Presbyterian Church
Winter Concert
November 28, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
James R. Cox Auditorium,
Alumni Memorial Building
Choral Arts Concert
February 06, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
James R. Cox Auditorium,
Alumni Memorial Building
Spring Concert
Chamber Singers & Concert Choir
March 19, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
James R. Cox Auditorium,
Alumni Memorial Building
Spring Concert
Men's and Women's Chorales, UT Gospel Choir, &
Contemporary a cappella ensembles
March 26, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
James R. Cox Auditorium,
Alumni Memorial Building
Chamber Singers Choral Evensong
April 28, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Oak Ridge
A Cappella Ensembles Concert
May 5, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Farragut Presbyterian Church
Come Sing With Us! All UT choirs are open to any UT student, regardless of major or previous choral experience. Our traditional ensembles satisfy the VOLCore requirement for Applied Arts and Humanities and are a great way to meet and develop lasting friendships with other students who have similar interests. Click here to get more information.
We hope you enjoyed this performance by the UT Choirs. Private support from music enthusiasts who attend more than 200 free UT concerts every year enables us to improve educational opportunities and develop our student artists’ skills to their full potential.
If you would like to join the many others who help the UT College of Music, you may make a gift to the UT Choral Program Fund by sending a check payable to the UT Foundation with UT Choral Fund in the memo line. Please send checks to: UT College of Music, 117 Natalie L. Haslam Music Center, 1741 Volunteer Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37996.
To learn more about how you can support the College of Music, contact
Chris Cox, Director of Development, 865-974-3331 or ccox@utfi.org.
