University of Texas Austin - Cactus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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The Choral Union Choral Union combines with the University Symphony Orchestra to present Mahler ' s Eighth Symphony. The Choral Union, the largest of all University choral groups, faced a monumental task at the be- ginning of the fall semester in preparing for Mahler ' s Eighth Symphony, a large-scale choral orchestral work. The symphony was pre- sented for two performances in Municipal Audito- rium on November 18 and 20 with the University Symphony Orchestra. It was the first Austin perfor- mance of this work. The group presented a Christmas program at Mu- nicipal Auditorium on December 20. Sponsored by Austin Savings and Loan Association, over 4,000 Austin citizens attended. Choral Union members split into two different groups at the beginning of the spring semester. Some choir members provided the chorus work for the University opera production The Saint of Bleeker Street in March. One of the members took the other half of the Choral Union and prepared his Master ' s recital program in choral conducting. On April 23, the Choral Union joined the Austin Symphony Orchestra to perform David Diamond ' s This Scared Ground, Howard Hanson ' s Lament for Beowulf and Beethoven ' s Symphony No. 9. On May 7 and 8, the Choral Union again collaborat- ed with the Austin Symphony Orchestra in its Pops Program for the final performance of the year. Choral Union 347

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' Choral Directors The University of Texas Choral Organizations con- tinue to be one of the largest student activities on the campus. The eight organizations are directed by three faculty members and four teaching assistants. Over 100 performances were presented locally and throughout the state as well as other parts of the country during 1975-1976. Dr. Morris Beachy continued his 19th year as Di- rector of Choral Activities while Dr. Alaire Lowry and Dr. Charles Smith began their second year of associ- ation with the University choral program. New teaching assistants for 1975-1976 were Sharon Co- leman and Richard Dodd, while Stewart Clark con- tinued his directorship of the pop programs. Ann Bunyan remained the Director of the Women ' s Con- cert Choir. Dr. Morris Beachy Dr. Alaire Lowry Dr. Charles Smith Stewart Clark The Sharon Coleman Richard Dodd Ann Bunyan 346 Choral Directors mm Thej mcipal Master ' OoA| On May id Kith

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Chamber Singers The Chamber Singers began their fall schedule in November with performances at two Austin high schools. Much of the repertoire for the fall had a Spanish flavor as the main activity during the fall was a trip to San Antonio to present a concert of early Spanish religious music in the San Jose Mis- sion on December 5. The group also appeared in concert at the First English Lutheran Church during December. The se- mester was concluded with the 19th Annual Cham- ber Singers Christmas Concert on December 8. The spring semester took the Chamber Singers to Lanier and Crockett High Schools in Austin and on trips to Dallas and San Antonio. The group present- ed concerts for students in the Richardson area as well as a concert in the First Baptist Church of Dal- las. The main concert in the Dallas area was held on April 1 for the National Convention of the Music Teachers National Association, where the Chamber Singers presented a program of American music to commemorate the Bicentennial year. Several works were given their premiere performances at this con- vention, among them an extensive work by the resi- dent composer at the University, Karl Korte. The Chamber Singers were again invited to ap- pear before the state-wide Madrigal Festival spon- sored by Roosevelt High School in San Antonio. The major activity of the spring semester took place on May 26. Chamber Singers went to Washing- ton, D.C. as the official music group representing the State of Texas for the Bicentennial Texas Pro- gram at Kennedy Center. A program by Texas com- posers was presented with two UT Department of Music composers represented, Karl Korte and Don- ald Grantham. Two other Texas composers who wrote works specifically for this performance were Paul Cooper of Rice University and Robert Rodri- guez, a former UT student now teaching at UT Dal- las. FIRST ROW: Robert Erwin Minor Jr., Richard Dean Poole. SECOND ROW: Gwen Elizabeth Franke, Diana Gail Eblen, Pamela Gail Elrod, Margaret E. Gregory, Jeanne Louise Kemp. THIRD ROW: Donald Lee Edens Jr., Diane Guthrie, Ara Verne Carapetyan, Marilyn Jean Howell, Pamela Jean Shank, 348 Chamber Singers Jimmy Wade Guthrie, Terri Kay Tyner, Stewart J. Clark, Connie Ruth Gastler, Nancy Ann Hermanson, Robert Michael Stout. FOURTH ROW: Robert Addison Reid, Andrew Kormany.