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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 Professor 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 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 Ms. Carolyn Gahan, 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 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.”
Fall Choral Concert
Tuesday,
September 26, 2023
7:30 p.m.
University of Tennessee
Men’s Chorale
Professor Andrew Skoog, conductor
Sarah Kitts, graduate assistant
Melony Dodson, accompanist
Rise Up, O Men of God
arr. Buryl Red (1936-2013)
Keep Your Lamps!
Victor C. Johnson (b. 1978)
Requiescat
Andrea Ramsey (b. 1977)
These Things Shall Never Die
Mark Burrows (b. 1971)
University of Tennessee
Concert Choir
Professor Laura Leigh Spillane, conductor
Sarah Kitts, graduate assistant
Dustin Lin, accompanist
Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)
I am lost to the world
With which I used to waste much time;
It has for so long known nothing of me,
It may well believe that I am dead.
Nor am I at all concerned
If it should think that I am dead.
Nor can I deny it,
For truly I am dead to the world.
I am dead to the world’s tumult
And rest in a quiet realm!
I live alone in my heaven,
In my love, in my song!
Translation by Richard Stokes (b. 1945)
Hear My Prayer
Moses Hogan (1957-2003)
Veni Sancte Spiritus
Zanaida Robles (b. 1979)
Come, Holy Ghost,
send down those beams,
which sweetly flow in silent streams
from Thy bright throne above.
O come, Thou Father of the poor;
O come, Thou source of all our store,
come, fill our hearts with love.
O Thou, of comforters the best,
O Thou, the soul's delightful guest,
the pilgrim's sweet relief.
Rest art Thou in our toil, most sweet
refreshment in the noonday heat;
and solace in our grief.
O blessed Light of life Thou art;
fill with Thy light the inmost heart
of those who hope in Thee.
Without Thy Godhead nothing can,
have any price or worth in man,
nothing can harmless be.
Text from the Sequence from the Mass for Pentecost, Roman Missal
Translation by John Austin (1613-1669)
Hope Lingers On
Andrea Ramsey (b. 1977)
University of Tennessee
Women's Chorale
Carolyn Gahan, conductor
Andrea Gantte, accompanist
Non Nobis, Domine
Rosephanye Powell (b. 1962)
arr. WIlliam C. Powell
E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come
Paul Manz (1919-2009)
I'll Never Study Music
Paul David Thomas (b. 1981)
Text by Alice Duer Miller (1874-1942)
Caden Ashton, soloist
“I’ll Never Study” is based upon a poem by Alice Duer Miller entitled “The Maiden’s Vow”. This poem was a satirical interpretation of a speech given by a man a National Education Association meeting, in which he warned listeners of the dangers that could arise from women learning algebra. The speaker went so far as to say women could lose their souls from study algebra. Miller’s poem brings to light the ridiculousness of the statements made at this meeting, and “I’ll Never Study” puts her words to an upbeat, fun melody that seems to personify the concept of women “losing their souls” from discussing mathematical concepts.
University of Tennessee
Chamber Singers
Dr. Angela Batey, conductor
Sarah Kitts, graduate assistant
Tami Newsom, accompanist
Domine Deus
David Caldarella (b. 2002)
We Are the Music Makers
Eric Nelson (b. 1959)
Elijah
Stacey V. Gibbs (b. 1962)
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.
Professor 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. She is a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate in Choral Music at the University of Southern California, where her fields of study are Musicology, Vocology, and Instrumental Conducting. Her dissertation research examines how trends in written range and tessitura impact vocal stamina in mixed-voice choral ensembles. 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, Professor 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.
Spillane 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.
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.
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
Abram Abbott, Garrett Bailey, Brett Beard, Andrew Brittain, Wesley Campbell, Zachary Carter, Benjamin Clark, Jacob Cottrell, William Crews, Jea’Von Crockett, Alexander Davis, Evan Dovgalyuk, Kyle Dovgalyuk, James Govednik, Jackson Guthrie, Jacob Hampton, Shamir Harper, Kobey Harris, Logan Kelly, Patrick Liposky, Daniel Lynch, Jack Lynch, Drew Mattson, Aidan Moore, Joseph Pinzur, Jacob Rinke, Curtis Robinette, Deugray Robinson, Joshua Rodriguez, Cooper Sarphie, Michael Skoda, Nathan Taylor, Grant Trivette, Ryan Walker, Vlad Wheeler, James Willbanks, Andrew Williams, TJ Williams, Jack Wu
Concert Choir
Grace Agosta, Jasmyne Baker, Veronica Beech, Brett Beard, Andrew Brittain, Hrishi Brooks, Braden Bruce, Jamie Burnett, Kennedy Byars, Jaden Clark, Vallie Comstock, Micaela DeCremer, William Dieal, Jacob Engle, Eleanor Foley, Sifa Gathi, Mark Gilbert, David Gomez, Eric Grigsby, Devan Hall, Vivian Hirst, Reagan Imwalle, Caroline Jordan, Sarah Kitts, Madison Lanier, Robby Lawrence, Adah Layerd, David Liu, Jacob Long, Daniel Lynch, Avery Lyon, Dylan Mccurry, Breyana Meyer, Bonnie Ortiz, J.T. Pinzur II, Leah Pruter, Ava Purkey, Ivanna Rivera, Madison Rogers, Ainsley Rolston, Jack Rosamond, Adison Shaw, Kaitlyn Smith, Charlotte Tiffany, Samuel Vance, Ryan Walker, Waverly Watkins, Julia Weissman, Vlad Wheeler, Sadie White, Luke Woodard, Olivia Yochim, Erica Zacharias
Women’s Chorale
Caden Ashton, Jen Baez, Alexia Bell, Kathryn Brown, Isabella Davis, Melaina Eden, Britta Gaetjens, Cecilia Gerard, Ashleigh Gideon, Afton Howard, Vada Kasefang, Samara Kassab, Alaine Kirk, Haleigh Latta, Karley Lech, Deana Lerner, Natalie Lucksinger, Abigail McCarter, Annabelle Nalley, Mary Chandler Northcutt, Alexcia Papadopoulos, Morgan Poston, Caroline Robinson, Alandra Savage, Evelyn Spencer, Krystal Switzer, Allison Thompson, Emily Tiepelman, Dighton Tokoi, Ella Trisler, Katherine Wilhoit, Abigail Zupanci
Chamber Singers
Jackson Ahern, David Andrews, Deven Asbell, Sophie Barker, Ryan Beatty, Sophie Bennett, Sana Boghani, Andrew Brittain, Hrishi Brooks, Braden Bruce, Kevin Creelman, 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, 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
Karen Carter, Abby Cottrell, Tamari L Davis, William Dieal, Teagan Fisher, Paula J. Fisher, Abigail Lea Green, Jeremy Hall, Mark Hayes, Vada Kasefang, Katherine Kiser, Rachel Lane, Marianne Lesler, Hana Maples, Faith Navarez, Laura Newman, Rekiyah Owens, Cortez Powell, Jasmin Power, Jordan Ralls, Jenny Ralls, Ashley Sims, Jordan Van Pelt, Jill Vernon
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 &
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, 865-974-2365 or ccox@utfi.org.
