Graduate Program Information
Choral Conductor Choral Conducting Studies Application Information
COURSES FOR THE CHORAL CONDUCTOR
Advanced Choral Conducting:
Weekly studio and master class conducting lessons taught by Dr. Allen Hightower
Taught by Dr. Allen Hightower. Includes studies in defining the drama in choral music; defining a sound ideal; voice building for choirs; concert programming; developing interpretive analyses; rehearsal techniques and preparation; musical/poetic architecture; contemporary trends; and resources in literature
Ensembles:
The UNT Choral Program is comprised of six university choirs and a collegium. Check the performance calendar for upcoming choral concerts.
UNT's graduate choral conducting program is one of America's premier programs. Led by Dr. Allen Hightower, Director of Choral Studies, the program consists of practical and academic studies leading to the development of musical skills crucial to the success of the next generation of American choral conductors.
UNT choral conducting students are afforded annual opportunities to learn from leaders in the choral art from around the globe. Workshops and/or classes have been given by visiting artists, including:
2015-16 Stefan Parkman, Professor at Uppsala University and Conductor of WDR Radio Choir, Germany.
2016-17 Brad Wells, Conductor of Room Full of Teeth and Artist-In-Residence at Williams College
2017-18 Conducting Masterclass with Joshua Habermann in residence with the Santa Fe Desert Chorale
APPLICATIONS
Application Materials: Apply online here. Once completed forms and all required materials have been received and evaluated, the choral faculty will invite selected applicants to campus for an interview and audition with one of our university choirs. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Allen Hightower at Allen.Hightower@unt.edu. Applications are due by the first Monday in December.
N.B.: We generally audition no more than 8 candidates on these dates.
*The interview will include vocalizing and skills testing. Please bring an art song / aria to perform.
AUDITION INFORMATION
Video
Your video should include rehearsal and performances recordings of your conducting. The camera should face the conductor. Video submissions may be in digital upload or DVD format.
Application Deadline
Because our on-campus choral conducting audition date is in January and it takes several weeks for the application materials to clear the university, the college and finally get to us, you would be well served if your application packet got to us no later than December 1.
Application Process
Go to the College of Music website and apply online. Be sure to include a video of your conducting (view of the conductor) comprised of rehearsal and performance.
On-Campus Audition
Once we receive and evaluate your materials, we will make a determination about inviting you to campus for an audition and interview. We will do our best to let you know at least a month before the on-campus audition date. The earlier we receive your materials, the earlier we can make this determination.
Audition Repertoire
The candidate will be assigned two pieces for the audition. The first piece is to be conducted straight through the work (or movement, giving the audition panel an opportunity see the candidate's artistry and physical communication skills as a conductor; the candidate may not coach the choir verbally. For the second piece, the candidate will rehearse for approximately 6-8 minutes. The aim is to make as much difference in the performance of the piece or section as possible in the allotted time.
Dr. Allen Hightower, Director of Choral Studies
Dr. Richard Sparks, Chair of Conducting and Ensembles
