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

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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.

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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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Concert Chorale FIRST ROW: Laurie Jan Reece, Laura Elizabeth Luecke, Cynthia Louise Fadely, Susan Jan Soward, Secretary, Gail Lynn Murray, Carmen Marie Gonzales, Sharon Benson Underwood, Kimi Jan Chafin, Patricia Rosalind Riggle, Norma Jean Villarreal. SECOND ROW: Charles K. Smith, Director. Julie Ann Whittington, Pamela Ann Taylor, Barbara Ruth Mallin, Lesa Carol White, President, Carla von Merz, Kim Berman, Rebecca Behrendt, Mary Marshall Davie, Jan Marie White. THIRD ROW: Laura Lou Petermann, Shar- on Eileen Dolan, Sharon Renee Coleman, Pricilla Rose Kingry, Lisa Irby, Pamela Gail Elrod, Jennifer Marie Jicha, Pamela Sue Gregory, Cheryl Lynn King. FOURTH ROW: Richard Malcolm Walsh, Michael Proter Kappelman, Tommy Lee Ingram, Jeffrey Scott Barnett, Donald Preston Wiley, Charles Wayne Gabehart, Michael Henry Rasco, Mark Edward Fisch, Edward Junius Drake, Gregory Leo Gastler, Vice-President. FIFTH ROW: Charles Hank Hammett, Wayne George Locklear, James Edward Wood, Reginald Michael Harvey, Randol Alan Bass, Keith Lee Hamilton, Andrew McLeod Taylor, Wendell Dean Wyatt, David Marc Owen, James Douglas Hurd. SIXTH ROW: John Tablott Sessing, Michael Lee Raillard, Robert Wayne Proft, Louis Scott Hammond, Michael Thomas Edwards, Charles Donelson Spradley, Robert Lewis Hirtzel, Richard William Tacker, Gary Wayne Pyle, Ricky Charles Corse, Treasurer. Concert Chorale provides an opportunity for stu- dents to experience a wide variety of musical litera- ture from various time periods through learning and performing. The Chorale performs a wide range of musical styles from Ninth Century Gregorian chants to new choral works composed especially for the group. Approximately 60 percent of the choir ' s members are music majors, but students majoring in other studies are also included in the group. The Concert Chorale began 1975-1976 by partici- pating in the Fine Arts Symposium on September 28-30. It also held several music clinics with Austin area high schools, in addition to performing for the Texas Junior College All-State Choir Convention in Temple. In October, the Chorale conducted a three-day set of clinics in Houston area high schools. These clinics were valuable learning experiences not only for the audience, but the Chorale as well, as they gave members a chance to learn through teaching. Concert Chorale also performed at Bergstrom Air Force Base on November 30 and concluded the fall semester with its Winter Concert. Members par- ticipated in a combined choral organizations Christ- mas caroling in December. To begin the spring semester, Concert Chorale gave a concert at Travis High School in Austin on February 18 and its annual Spring Concert in April. On May 2, Concert Chorale joined all University cho- ral groups in a May Day Choral Extravaganza. I can ' t think of a better job than to stand in front of a group such as the Concert Chorale and listen to their music. I get paid for something I love. The members are the best part of this job. I have tre- mendous opportunities to get to know them, and we both have a common goal to create music, Dr. Charles K. Smith, Concert Chorale directo r, said. Concert Chorale 349