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Choral Performance Videos

The following ensembles have been selected to have their choral performance videos featured at NCCO9, January 20-22, 2022:

Baylor University A Cappella Choir

The Baylor A Cappella Choir is the flagship choral ensemble at Baylor University. They were winners of The American Prize—College & University Division in 2020, performed for the 2021 Texas Music Educators Association Convention, and recently released the album "Howells Requiem" on the MSR Classics label. The A Cappella Choir combines some of the most advanced singers at Baylor and focuses on cultivating meaningful fellowship and rich, artistic singing.

Brian Schmidt, conductor

Brian A. Schmidt is Associate Professor of Choral Music and Director of Graduate Choral Studies at Baylor University, where he conducts the Baylor A Cappella Choir and Chamber Singers. He is a GRAMMY-nominated conductor and Founder/Artistic Director of the South Dakota Chorale. Previously Schmidt served at Duke University Chapel where he conducted the Duke Vespers Ensemble, founded the monthly Bach Cantata Series and Cappella Baroque, and published two recordings on the MSR Classics label.

Capital University Chapel Choir

Since 1929, the Capital University Chapel Choir, Columbus OH, has upheld the Lutheran heritage of artful choral singing. The choir’s mission has sent them around the world leveraging the transformative power of music. Most recently, the choir performed the world premiere performance of A Silence Haunts Me by Jake Runestad, at the 2019 ACDA National Conference, a Gala Concert with Eric Whitacre at Capital University, and a concert at Carnegie Hall in March, 2020.

Lynda Hasseler, conductor

Lynda Hasseler, D.M.A., assumed the directorship of the renowned Capital University Chapel Choir in 1990, becoming the first woman to head a Lutheran collegiate choral program. Choirs under her direction receive numerous invitations to perform for conferences and festivals, have been awarded gold medals in world competitions, and tour nationally and internationally. She teaches in the Bachelor and Master of Music in Music Education degrees at Capital University.

Illinois Wesleyan University Collegiate Choir

The Collegiate Choir has performed throughout the United States, Europe, and South Africa. It appears frequently at Illinois Music Education Conferences and was selected to perform at two ACDA Central Division Conferences. The Choir was the first American choral ensemble invited to perform at the renowned Woordfees cultural arts festival in Stellenbosch, South Africa in 2020. The Choir has collaborated with renowned professional ensembles such as the King’s Singers and the Orchid Ensemble.

J. Scott Ferguson, conductor

J. Scott Ferguson is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Illinois Wesleyan University, where he conducts the Collegiate Choir and University Choir and teaches voice, conducting, and choral methods. His choirs tour domestically and internationally and have performed at state and regional ACDA and NAfME conferences. Dr. Ferguson has presented choral workshops in the United States, Europe, and South America. He is a frequent member of juries at international choral competitions.

Indiana University African American Choral Ensemble

The African American Choral Ensemble (AACE), formed in 1976 is one of three performing ensembles in the African American Arts Institute at Indiana University in Bloomington. The Choral ensemble performs a varied repertoire of music composed by African Americans. The members represent numerous academic majors. AACE has performed throughout North America, Canada, and Europe and was recently featured in the EMMY Award winning PBS documentary “Amen: Music of the Black Church.”

Raymond Wise, conductor

Dr. Raymond Wise, earned a B.F.A. in Music from Denison University, a Masters and Doctorate in Music Education from The Ohio State University. He is a Professor of Practice in the African American African Diaspora Studies department at Indiana University (Bloomington). He tours extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia as a singer, pianist, conductor, lecturer, and composer. His works are published by Hinshaw, GIA, Hal Leonard, MusicSpoke, and Raise Publishing.

Mississippi State University State Singers

Comprised of undergraduate students representing a multitude of disciplines on the Mississippi State University campus, the MSU State Singers are the premiere choral ensemble for the University and the Department of Music. The group of singers perform major choral works annually; tour nationally and internationally regularly; and have performed for state and regional ACDA conferences.

Gary Packwood, conductor

Gary Packwood is Professor of Music, Program Administrator and Director of Choral Studies at Mississippi State University. He is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University, Florida Atlantic University, and Louisiana State University. Dr. Packwood has served the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) in numerous leadership roles, including President of the Southern Region. He is a busy guest conductor for all-state and honors throughout the USA, South America, Asia, and Europe.

Mississippi Valley State University Choir

The Mississippi Valley State University Choir “The Songbirds of the South” is a large auditioned mixed chorus of 65 singers from majors across the campus. The choir performs repertoire of choral music that ranges from Baroque era to the twenty-first century. The University Choir has performed works by J.S. Bach, Hailstork, Handel, Mozart, and Saint-Saëns. The ensemble has toured in Chicago, Cincinnati, New Orleans, Seattle, and Vancouver. Overseas destinations have included Brazil and Italy.

Brandon T. Cash, conductor

Brandon T. Cash is Director of Choral Activities/ Assistant Professor of Music in the Fine Arts Department at Mississippi Valley State University. Dr. Cash conducts the University Choir, and Valley Singers. He teaches courses in Choral Methods, Choral Conducting and Applied Voice. He received his Ed.D. in Choral Music Education from University of Georgia in (20’), a M.A. in Counseling with an emphasis in Student Affairs in (11’), and his B.A. Music Education K-12 (Voice) from Hampton in (07’).

Missouri State University Chorale

The Missouri State University Chorale is the flagship choral ensemble at Missouri State University. The Chorale has toured throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Recent highlights include invited performances for the National Collegiate Choral Organization, national and regional ACDA conferences, a concert tour of Iceland, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, and performances at the China International Chorus Festival and the IFCM World Voices Conference.

Cameron LaBarr, conductor

Cameron LaBarr is director of choral studies at Missouri State University. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Missouri State University and he earned a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of North Texas where he studied with Jerry McCoy and Richard Sparks. He has completed further study in choral music and conducting with Simon Carrington and Alice Parker. Dr. LaBarr has worked as guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

Saint Mary's College of California Glee Club

The Saint Mary’s College of California Glee Club performs pop, jazz, classical, and global genres---the eclectic approach not only strengthens musical training, but provides vibrant timbral exploration supported through vocal science-based pedagogy. Glee has earned silver and goal medals at the World Choir Games ('14 & '18), performed at thee Cal State Music Educators Conference ('16), and was showcased at Carnegie Hall ('16). 70% of the students are not music majors or music minors.

Julie Ford, conductor

Dr. Julie Ford, Dir. of Choral Activities (Saint Mary’s College of CA), specializes in early music, jazz, and pop performance practices and vocal-science pedagogy. Directorial highlights: CMEA Conference ('16), Carnegie Hall ('15), Silver & Gold Medals (World Choir Games, '14 & '18), the 2009 ACDA Natl Convention (Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church Chamber Singers), and Yoshi’s (2000, Oakland Jazz Choir). BA (Voice-San Jose State Univ.), MM (Conducting-Eastman), DMA (Choral Conducting-OU).

San José State University Choraliers

The San José State University Choraliers have been considered one of America’s preeminent chamber choirs for the past 50 years. Currently under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Benson, the Choraliers will be performing at the ACDA Western Region Conference in March 2022. The ensemble tours internationally every other year and has recently performed with The Rolling Stones, Josh Groban, Dionne Warwick, Andrea Bocelli, the Los Angeles Festival Orchestra and the Skywalker Orchestra.

Jeffrey Benson, conductor

Jeffrey Benson is Director of Choral Activities at San José State University. He made his international conducting debut with the Irish Chamber Orchestra and the SJSU Choraliers in Limerick, Ireland, and his Carnegie Hall conducting debut in 2015. Dr. Benson is a published composer and arranger with Colla Voce and Santa Barbara Music Publishing, and is a series editor with Gentry Publications. Benson received his MM and PhD from The Florida State University and his Bachelors degree from NYU.

Spelman College Glee Club, Clayton State University Chorale & Georgia Tech Treble Chorus

This is a multi-collegiate collaboration project with the trebles from the Clayton State University Chorale, Spelman College Glee Club, and Georgia Tech Treble Chorus.

Kevin Johnson, Sean Vogt & Brittney Boykin, conductors

Kevin Johnson, D.M.A., associate professor of music at Spelman College, is a renowned musician, composer and active clinician. He has traveled throughout the United States and Europe providing choral workshops, master classes, seminars and retreats for music educators and churches. He is currently the Minister of Music at The Catholic Church of St. Gabriel in Fayetteville, Georgia.

Dr. Sean Vogt is Director of Choral Activities at Clayton State University. In addition to a DMA (Michigan State University) and MM (Southern Methodist University) in conducting, he worked on a DMA in organ at the University of Iowa; MM organ – Southern Methodist University; BA – Central College; Diploma – Haarlem Internationale Zomeracademie voor Organisten (The Netherlands). He is a frequent guest choral clinician and collaborative keyboardist with vocalists and choirs.

Concert pianist and Composer, Brittney Boykin (B.E. Boykin), is a native of Alexandria, VA. After graduating from Spelman College in 2011 with a B.A. in Music, Ms. Boykin continued her studies at Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey. In May of 2013, Ms. Boykin graduated from Westminster Choir College with a M.M. in Sacred Music with a concentration in choral studies. Ms. Boykin’s instrumental and choral works are currently being published and distributed through her own publishing company, Klavia Press. She is currently Lecturer of Choral Music at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Texas Christian University Concert Chorale

The TCU Concert Chorale, the University’s flagship choral ensemble, is committed to the exploration and performance of the finest repertoire from the 16th century to today. One of six choral ensembles in the School of Music, the Chorale is a highly- select, auditioned group of forty-five singers including music majors as well as students from other academic disciplines. All members of the Chorale recognize the important role of the arts in their personal and professional development.

Christopher Aspaas, conductor

Christopher Aspaas serves as Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor of Music at TCU. At TCU, Christopher leads the Concert Chorale, TCU’s flagship mixed ensemble as well as the Frog Corps, TCU’s premier tenor-bass vocal ensemble. He also teaches coursework in basic conducting, choral conducting, choral literature, advanced choral conducting and oversees the graduate choral conducting program.

University of Arkansas Schola Cantorum

Founded in 1957, the University of Arkansas Schola Cantorum is the university's flagship ensemble, with a rich history of distinguished concerts throughout the world. Singers in the ensemble come from every college on campus, and represent more than 20 academic majors.

Stephen Caldwell, conductor

Dr. Stephen Caldwell is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Faculty at the University of Arkansas. He is a nationally recognized conducting pedagogue and scholar, in demand as a clinician, conductor, and composer. He has twice been awarded the Associated Student Government's “Top 10 Most Outstanding Faculty Award," he is a 3-time Outstanding Mentor, and the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette named Dr. Caldwell as a “Top 10 Artistic People to Watch.”

University of Nebraska at Omaha Concert Choir

The UNO Concert Choir is a 55 - 60 voiced auditioned ensemble of students from all majors across UNO. In addition to local performances and service learning activities, the Concert Choir tours internationally. The choir was also selected to perform at the 2018 Nebraska MEA State Conference. The Concert Choir recently competed in the 2021 Rovdo International Virtual Choral Competition (Belarus) and earned a third place finish in the performance category and a Laureate Diploma I for high scores.

Derrick Fox, conductor

Dr. Derrick Fox has led conducted honor choirs, choral concerts/residencies and professional workshops across the United States and internationally. He was honored to conduct the 2019 National ACDA MS/JH Mixed Honor Choir and travel to South Africa as a 2019 ACDA International Conductor Fellow. His compositions/arrangements are published by Hal Leonard and Brilee Music and he created a choral series with MusicSpoke to publish works by marginalized and minoritized composers.

University of North Texas Vox Aquilae & Baroque Orchestra

The University of North Texas Vox Aquilae is a vocal ensemble specializing in the performance of music from the 16th through the 18th centuries, and is the artistic parter of the UNT Baroque Orchestra. The ensemble was invited to perform at the 2011, 2013, and 2015 Boston Early Music Festival and the 2012 Berkley Early Music Festival. Formerly known as the UNT Collegium Singers, the ensemble performed at the National Collegiate Choral Organization convention in Portland, OR in November 2015.

Allen Hightower, conductor

Allen Hightower is the Director of Choral Studies at the University of North Texas, where he serves as conductor of the A Cappella Choir, Vox Aquilae, and Grand Chorus, and leads the graduate program in choral conducting. He held the Weston Noble Chair at Luther College, where he served as DCA and conductor of the Nordic Choir. From 2000-2010 he was DCA at Sam Houston State University. His choirs have performed for five Texas Music Educators Association conferences and for five ACDA conferences.

University of South Carolina Concert Choir

The University of South Carolina Concert Choir has performed across the US and in prestigious venues throughout the world. This highly acclaimed choir flourished under the direction of Arpad Darazs and Larry D. Wyatt, and now continues its outstanding tradition under the baton of Alicia W. Walker. Longtime hallmarks of the choir include premieres of new music, literature that is socially relevant, and programming that reflects the depth and breadth of the choral repertoire.

Alicia W. Walker, conductor

Alicia W. Walker is Director of Choral Studies at the University of South Carolina, where she conducts the Concert Choir and the UofSC TTBB Choir, and supervises the graduate conducting program. Choirs under her direction have performed at SCMEA and SCACDA, in Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and in South Africa and Taiwan. Dr. Walker is past president of Southern Region ACDA and of Georgia ACDA. Since 2016 she has facilitated Facets, a leadership retreat for women conductors.

University of Texas at Arlington A Cappella Choir

The University of Texas at Arlington A Cappella Choir is the premiere choral ensemble of the university, comprised primarily of undergraduate and graduate vocal music majors. In recent years, the choir has given invited performances at the National Collegiate Choral Organization conference, twice at the Texas Music Educators Association convention, the SWACDA regional conference, and served as Choir-in-Residence for the Conducting Competition at the ACDA national convention in Salt Lake City.

Karen Kenaston-French, conductor

Karen Kenaston-French is Professor and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Texas Arlington, where she conducts the A Cappella Choir, teaches conducting, and heads the Vocal Area. Under her direction the UTA A Cappella Choir has performed at the Texas Music Educators Association state convention twice, regional and national conventions of ACDA, and the national conference of NCCO. She holds degrees from West Virginia Wesleyan, SMU, and the University of North Texas.

Wellesley College Choir

The Wellesley College Choir was founded in 1900 and continues to thrive, with a robust performance schedule and as a welcoming musical community on campus. Membership ranges from 50-60 singers across many academic departments, serving as an integral part of college ceremonies and traditions. The Choir has performed at ACDA conferences and has toured extensively, most recently the Baltic States, the Pacific Northwest, and South Korea. They are featured in the motion picture “Mona Lisa Smile."

Lisa Graham

Celebrating her 20th year as the Evelyn Barry Director of Choral Music, Lisa Graham conducts the Wellesley College Choir, Chamber Singers, and Choral Scholars as well as teaching academic courses in the Music Department. In Boston she is the conductor of the Metropolitan Chorale in Boston, which concertizes locally and also tours with the Boston Pops during the holiday season. She is active in state and regional ACDA leadership and is a founder and former President of NCCO.

Western Michigan University Achilles Feel

The University Chorale is the premier choral ensemble at Western Michigan University. Chorale has performed at multiple ACDA and NCCO conventions, won top prizes in international competitions, and released multiple recordings. Created in 2020 in response to COVID-19 safety protocols, “Achilles Feel” is an octet from Chorale that performs chamber, choral, and new music for amplified voices. The “Choir for Good” project paired each performance with a different social issue and local non-profit.

Kimberly Dunn Adams, conductor

Kimberly Dunn Adams is the Director of Choral Activities at Western Michigan University. Adams’ choirs have received top prizes in competition, invitations for conference performance, and recognition for their recordings. She has presented and guest conducted throughout the U.S. and in several countries. Adams was previously the Director of Choral Ensembles at Mount Holyoke College. She holds degrees from Oberlin, Yale, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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