A&M-Commerce Department of Music Hosts High School Singing Workshop

More than 80 high school singers from Mabank, Royse City and Poteet high schools joined the Chorale Men's Chorus and Mane Men's Choir at A&M-Commerce for a singing workshop on Friday, October 25.

The event focused on tenor and bass vocalists and included voice-building activities, a master class and singing rehearsals. Dr. Randall Hooper, Dr. Brock Johnson and Dr. Barrett Radziun of A&M-Commerce conducted the workshop with staff and student leaders.

The workshop culminated with a joint concert between high school and university choir students, led by Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Randall Hooper. The performance featured Mane Men's Choir, directed by student-member Noah Reese; Chorale Men's Chorus; and solo performances by Johnson, Radziun, and A&M-Commerce students Jose Oliveras and Christian Knight. To conclude the concert, high school and university choirs combined to sing three pieces they had rehearsed earlier in the day.

According to Dr. David Davies, interim department head and associate music professor at A&M-Commerce, “The workshop is a way for our department to serve the North Texas region by encouraging high school musicians and serving as a support and resource for regional music teachers.”

Dr. Hooper added, “The goal of the workshop was to promote male singing in high school, as well as draw these young men to our campus, providing them with a positive experience at A&M-Commerce as they begin making decisions about where they will attend college.”

In addition to the most recent singing workshop, the A&M-Commerce Department of Music hosts several other outreach events for regional high schools throughout the year, including weekend workshop experiences, joint concerts between the A&M-Commerce Chorale and high school choirs, and the annual Junior/Senior Honor Band where hundreds of high school students visit campus for a weekend of music making.

Explore upcoming events and performances at tamuc.edu/music.