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Spring Choral Concert
Tuesday,
March 21, 2023
7:30 p.m.
University of Tennessee
Concert Choir
Dr. Khyle Wooten, conductor
Carolyn Gahan, graduate assistant
Simon Ballintoy, accompanist
On Justice, Truth, and Peace
Amy F. Bernon (b. 1967)
Wyley Wilkin, graduate conductor
Striving After God
Undine Smith Moore (1904-1989)
Hold Fast to Dreams
Susan LaBarr (b. 1981)
From Mass: A Celebration of Love and Joy
André J. Thomas (b. 1952)
- Sanctus
- Agnus Dei
Sophie Baker, mezzo-soprano
Sophia Bennett, mezzo-soprano
Daniella Martin, soprano
Zoe Stiles, mezzo-soprano
Shaquille M. St. John, tenor
Kilmeny Sproles, soprano
Maddie Tate, mezzo-soprano
University of Tennessee
Chamber Singers
Dr. Angela L. Batey, conductor
Carolyn Gahan, graduate assistant
Tami Newsom, accompanist
Afro-Celtic Diddle
arr. Michael Coolen (b. 1954)
‘Diddle’ is an enjoyable rhythmic adventure, particularly for our Western ears, combining elements of two very different cultures. The rhythm pairs a triple-metered Irish tune against duple-metered African declarations, and utilizing elements found in the folk music of both cultures. The two-against-three theme is explored, with section building upon section, all on nonsense syllables or a single word. This music utilizes Irish traditional rhythms juxtaposed with these African counter-rhythms. The word "namu", sung first by the altos, comes from the Senegambian region of West Africa. When traditional storytellers (griots or jali) begin reciting important oral history stories, there is often a person sitting next to the jali who says "namu!" to reinforce the storyteller has it correct. In this composition, note the word "namu" appears in a duple rhythm against the Irish rhythm, creating one of the most typical African approaches to rhythm, two against three.
Other African words that are used include "shangara," which comes from the Shona people of Zimbabwe, and is used to describe a specific rhythm/dance; in this case, it is the rhythm to which "shangara" is used for the text in its first entrance. The term "minanzi" also comes from the Shona people, and it can be applied in a variety of ways; for example, to describe the moment when all the rhythms of a piece are together "beautifully." Here the triplet figure to which the word "minanzi" is frequently set often creates the kind of two against three effect that is a common feature of African musical practice. In addition, the triplet rhythm played on the rattles is also specifically called "minanzi."
The result is an exciting piece of organized chaos!
Shenandoah
arr. James Erb (1926-2014)
James Erb was an American composer, arranger, musicologist, and conductor. The founding conductor of the Richmond Symphony Chorus (Virginia), Erb led that chorus from 1971 to 2007 while also directing chorus activities at the University of Richmond, where he was, for a while, chair of the music department. Erb is most broadly known for his arrangement of Shenandoah and among musicologists of the Renaissance for his work on the Magnificats of Orlando di Lasso. His classic arrangement of this popular American folk song has taken its rightful place in American contemporary choral literature. The tune dates from the early 19th century. The lyrics may tell the story of a roving trader in love with the daughter of an Indian chief; in this interpretation, the rover tells the chief of his intent to take the girl with him far to the west, across the Missouri River. Other interpretations tell of a pioneer's nostalgia for the Shenandoah River Valley in Virginia, or of a Confederate soldier in the American Civil War, dreaming of his country home in Virginia. The true provenance of the song is unclear.
Sure On This Shining Night
Morten Lauridsen (b. 1943)
Text by Knoxville-native Pulitzer Prize winning poet James Agee
Morten Lauridsen, a native of the Pacific Northwest, is one of America’s most accomplished living composers of choral music. Professor of composition at the University of Southern California, Lauridsen’s compositions masterfully honor both the voice and the poetry behind it. Agee’s “Sure on This Shining Night” reflects his struggle to find meaning and stability in life after the loss of his father. Lauridsen delicately arranges Agee’s writing to capture the stillness of the night, compelling the listener to ponder the vast magnificence of the cosmos, as well as his own personal significance within it.
Twa Tanbou
Sydney Guillaume (b. 1982)
Guillaume, originally from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, migrated to the United States at the age of eleven. His choral works, most with original poetry by his father Gabriel T. Guillaume, have fostered an awareness of the beautiful Haitian culture and continue to serve as an ambassador for his native country. His compositions are known to be intricate, challenging yet highly spirited and have been praised for “impressive maturity and striking melodic distinction.” His choral works continually enthrall choirs everywhere.
The central theme of Twa Tanbou: In order for a team to reach the optimal result, each member must play his or her own part as a team. There is no room for self-obsessed glory; this ultimately brings down the team. True leaders are those who put their team’s collective well-being before themselves. The text of Twa Tanbou uses this philosophy, applied to three drums: the big Boula (the loudest), the smaller Tanbouren (the most beautiful sounding drum) and the little Kata drum, arguing that if everyone works together, there will be beautiful music!
Kata: Jacob Engle
Tambouren: Nora Beckett
Boula: Seth Reynolds
Three drums are having an argument a great Sunday
morning on their way back from Guinea.
A little Kata… A little Tanbouren… A big Boula…
Boula declared: “I can hit the loudest!”
Tanbouren said: “I have the most beautiful sound!
When I perform, keep quiet and listen!”
Kata, who was hearing all this, became angry."I could not comprehend how two soldiers who are dressed with the same outfit,and are children of the same mother are sitting around making a scandal."
One fine Mardi-Gras day, Kata started to “zouk”
Every single person there began to dance…
Tanbouren and Boula were there listening.
To make the party more exciting, they started a great throng.
That day, they all sang a song that I’ll never forget:
All drums that are dispersed
Let’s put our shoulders together
To make life more beautiful!
Chamber Singers, conducted by Dr. Angela Batey, is an auditioned 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. Khyle Wooten, 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 Andrew Skoog, is an auditioned TTBB ensemble dedicated to preserving the male choir tradition and to performing a wide variety of music written specifically for male voices. In addition to regularly scheduled concerts, the Men’s Chorale occasionally joins with other UT choirs to perform major works of the choral repertoire.
Women’s Chorale, conducted by Mr. Wyley Wilkin, is an auditioned SSAA ensemble that performs a wide variety of music written specifically for women’s 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 Dr. Khyle Wooten and Professor Eric Reed, 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 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.”
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 is Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, 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. Khyle Wooten, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the Associate Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music Education. He leads a unique life in music as an educator, conductor, researcher, and composer. He previously maintained posts with National Heritage Academies, Clayton County Public Schools, and the Walter D. Palmer School District where he has led middle and high school choral ensembles.
Wooten is the conductor and co-founder of the Sankofa Concert Series in Atlanta, Georgia, a vocal artist collective dedicated to the preservation and performance of works by composers of African descent. He has served as a music director in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church and several regions of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries.
Dr. Wooten is an inaugural fellow with the Cleveland Institute of Music’s Future of Music Faculty Fellowship. At present, he commits to leading ongoing research on the lives and choral music of Black women composers. More, as composer, he has completed commissions for vocal works by the Cincinnati Song Initiative and the Kairos Concert Opera. His recent works include a TTBB arrangement of Samuel Coleridge Taylor’s Life and Death.
Wooten holds the bachelor of science degree in music education from Lincoln University, the master of music degree in choral conducting from Georgia State University, and the doctor of philosophy degree in music education, with an emphasis in choral conducting, from Florida State University.
Professor Andrew Skoog made his New York debut at Carnegie Hall as tenor soloist in Handel's Messiah conducted by John Rutter, internationally acclaimed composer and conductor. He returned to Carnegie Hall in 2005 as tenor soloist in Orff’s Carmina Burana, with Andrew Litton and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Since that time, Skoog has sung with orchestras all over the world, including the American Symphony Orchestra in Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. Skoog made his international debut in 2006 singing Carmina Burana in Bergen, Norway. Critics hail him as ideal in Carmina Burana because of his "full, lyric delivery in the demanding, high tessitura," which he has performed all over the world, in excess of forty engagements. Additionally sought after for Handel’s Messiah, Skoog has performed this work throughout the United States.
Other performances include Rachmaninoff’s The Bells, Mendelssohn’s Die Erste Walpurgisnacht and Elijah, Berlioz’ Requiem, Britten’s Saint Nicolas and Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzes, Mozart’s Requiem and Coronation Mass, Ramirez’s Misa Criolla, Dvorak’s Stabat Mater and Mass in D, Franck’s Die Sieben Worte Jesu am Kreuz, Rossini's Stabat Mater and Petite Messe Solonnelle, Beethoven's Christus am Ölberge and Mass in C Major, Bach's St. Matthew Passion (Evangelist), Verdi's Requiem, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, and Bruckner's Te Deum. Mr. Skoog’s passionate, artistic performances of Benjamin Britten works have attracted attention, with praise for his performances.
Twice a Metropolitan Opera regional finalist, Skoog made his professional operatic debut as Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly. His operatic credits include Sam Polk in Susannah, Alfred in Die Fledermaus, Camille in The Merry Widow, Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, Pong in Turandot, Satyavan in Savitri, The Prince in The Love for Three Oranges, The Teapot in L’Enfant et Les Sortileges, as well as roles in Carmen, The Pirates of Penzance, Rita, and Werther. An alumnus of the Des Moines Metro Opera Apprentice Program, Skoog was a finalist in the Dallas Opera Career Development Grant Auditions, and coached in master classes with John Wustman and the late Jerry Hadley.
Skoog is a Sandra G. Powell Excellence Professor at the University of Tennessee. In 2011, he was the recipient of the School of Music Distinguished Faculty Award in Teaching awarded by the student body of the UT School of Music. Before his appointment at Tennessee, Skoog was the Director of Choral Activities at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas. During his tenure there, his choirs performed in Carnegie Hall, Westminster Hall in London, England and for the MTNA National Conference in Dallas, Texas.
Carolyn Gahan is a first-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 first-year Graduate Teaching Assistant pursuing a 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.
Wyley Wilkin is a second-year Graduate Teaching Assistant pursuing a master’s degree in Choral Conducting. He is a recent transplant from Northern California where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music from California State University, Sacramento. As an undergraduate, he was awarded 2nd place in his division at the NJATS 2006 Competition for Young Singers and first place at the Festival of New American Music Composers Competition that same year. Mr. Wilkin has been a voice, piano, and music composition instructor, as well as music director at a variety of churches in the Greater Sacramento Area for over fifteen years. For two years he served as a board member for the Sacramento Valley Choral Coalition and planned and hosted the valley’s first ever sacred choral festival, Sac Sings Sacred. He has composed music for professional vocal and instrumental groups and film, including the Emmy award-winning documentary, The Pink Room. Mr. Wilkin is a proud member of the American Choral Directors Association.
Vocal Studies at the University of Tennessee
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 School 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 | Cecily Nall |
| David Crawford | Kimberly Roberts |
| Eileen Downey | Andrew Skoog |
| James Marvel | Renée Tatum |
Studies in Vocal Music Education at the University of Tennessee
https://music.utk.edu/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 | Michael Stewart |
Khyle Wooten
Concert Choir
James Anderson, Joseph Ansary, Fiona Baker, Sophie Baker, Sophia Bennett, Abbi Cospelich, Carolyn Gahan, Vivian Hirst, Winfired Jones, Jack Lynch, Daniella Martin, Faith Nevarez, Isabella Nicoli, Bonnie Ortiz, Kilmeny Sproles, Maddie Tate, Zoe Stiles, ReKiyah Owens, Waverly Watkins, TJ Williams
Chamber Singers
Deven Asbell, Nora Beckett, Hannah Cipriana, Alec Daugherty, Jacob Engle, Carolyn Gahan, Ben Gouffon, Arnashia Gray, Kyra Green, Jackson Guthrie, Emma Howard, Jantson Hundley, Alexa Ligons, Mikayla Maldonado, Kallen Miller, Sherleen Mwaura, Anna Owens, Amara Pappas, Seth Reynolds, Solomon Sharp, Evelyn Spencer, Luke Tresner, Waverly Watkins, Rhiane West, Wyley Wilkin, Logan Williams, Blaise Wolfe, Teyah Young, Ameila Zahn
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 School 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 School 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
Spring Concert
Chamber Singers & Concert Choir
March 21, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
James R. Cox Auditorium,
Alumni Memorial Building
Spring Concert
Men's and Women's Chorales &
Contemporary a cappella ensembles
March 28, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
James R. Cox Auditorium,
Alumni Memorial Building
A Cappella Ensembles Concert
April 30, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
Farragut Presbyterian Church
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 School 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 School of Music, 117 Natalie L. Haslam Music Center, 1741 Volunteer Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37996.
To learn more about how you can support the School of Music, contact
Chris Cox, Director of Development, 865-974-2365 or ccox@utfi.org.
