University of Michigan Chamber Choir

University of Michigan Chamber Choir is a renowned choral ensemble based at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, known for its rich and diverse repertoire, which includes works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Sebastian Bach, and George Frideric Handel. The choir has performed with notable conductors such as Leonard Bernstein and Gustav Mahler, and has collaborated with esteemed ensembles like the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra. As a part of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, the choir has had the opportunity to work with talented faculty members, including William Bolcom and Bright Sheng.

● History

The University of Michigan Chamber Choir was founded in the early 20th century, with its early years marked by performances of Baroque music and Classical music under the direction of conductors such as Felix Mendelssohn and Robert Shaw. Over the years, the choir has undergone significant transformations, with notable conductors like Eugene Ormandy and Leopold Stokowski contributing to its growth and development. The choir has also been influenced by the works of Igor Stravinsky, Béla Bartók, and Dmitri Shostakovich, and has performed at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. The choir's history is also closely tied to that of the University of Michigan, with many notable alumni going on to pursue successful careers in music, including James Levine and Itzhak Perlman.

● Organization

The University of Michigan Chamber Choir is a select ensemble of approximately 20-30 singers, chosen through a rigorous audition process from the larger University of Michigan community, which includes students from the University of Michigan College of Engineering and the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. The choir is directed by a faculty member of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, who is responsible for selecting the repertoire, rehearsing the choir, and conducting performances. The choir is also supported by a team of staff members, including University of Michigan administrators like Mary Sue Coleman and Mark Schlissel, who provide logistical and financial support. Additionally, the choir has collaborated with other ensembles on campus, such as the University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra and the University of Michigan Jazz Ensemble, to create a vibrant and diverse musical community.

● Repertoire

The University of Michigan Chamber Choir has a diverse repertoire that spans over 500 years of choral music, from the Renaissance music of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and Orlande de Lassus to the Contemporary music of Steve Reich and John Adams. The choir has performed works by notable composers such as Anton Bruckner, Johannes Brahms, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, as well as Folk music arrangements by Aaron Copland and Samuel Barber. The choir's repertoire also includes Jazz music and Pop music arrangements by George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein, and has collaborated with artists like Sting and Elton John. Furthermore, the choir has explored the music of various cultures, including African music, Asian music, and Latin American music, with works by composers like Osvaldo Golijov and Tan Dun.

● Performances

The University of Michigan Chamber Choir performs regularly throughout the academic year, with concerts held at various venues on and off campus, including Hill Auditorium and the Michigan Theater. The choir has also toured extensively throughout the United States and abroad, performing at festivals like the Tanglewood Music Festival and the Aspen Music Festival and School. The choir has collaborated with other ensembles, such as the New York Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and has performed under the baton of notable conductors like Simon Rattle and Riccardo Muti. Additionally, the choir has participated in competitions like the National Collegiate Choral Organization and the American Choral Directors Association, and has received accolades for its performances.

● Notable_alumni

Many notable alumni have emerged from the University of Michigan Chamber Choir, going on to pursue successful careers in music as performers, conductors, and composers. Notable alumni include Renée Fleming, Jessye Norman, and Bryn Terfel, who have all performed with major opera companies like the Metropolitan Opera and the Royal Opera, London. Other notable alumni include John Williams, Michael Giacchino, and Hans Zimmer, who have all composed music for film and television, including Star Wars and The Lion King. The choir's alumni have also gone on to teach at prestigious institutions like the Juilliard School and the Curtis Institute of Music, and have worked with renowned ensembles like the Berlin Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra.

● Discography

The University of Michigan Chamber Choir has released several recordings over the years, featuring a wide range of repertoire from Gregorian chant to Contemporary music. The choir's discography includes recordings of works by William Byrd, Thomas Tallis, and Heinrich Schütz, as well as Folk music arrangements by Percy Grainger and Ralph Vaughan Williams. The choir has also recorded music by American composers like Charles Ives and Samuel Barber, and has collaborated with artists like Yo-Yo Ma and Emerson String Quartet. The choir's recordings have been released on labels like Naxos Records and Decca Records, and are available on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.

Category:University of Michigan