University of Memphis Honor Choir

January 30-31, 2025

The University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt Choral Area is excited to welcome singers and conductor-teachers for our 2025 Honor Choir.

This two-day Honor Choir event includes rehearsals and performances of the Honor Choir and a special performance by the University of Memphis University Singers. During the event, participants can work with an exceptional guest conductor, our own Choral Faculty, and choral conducting graduate students. We encourage choral directors to select their finest musicians for this exciting experience.

TOTAL REGISTRATION: Each school can bring a balanced SATB ensemble of their best singers (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, etc.). For example, 4 sopranos, 4 altos, 4 tenors, 4 basses. Students best suited for this Honor Choir are juniors and seniors. Exceptions can include remarkable sophomores who demonstrate significant maturity.
- Selected students should have the following qualities:
  - exemplary rehearsal behavior
  - excellent musicianship skills (sight-reading and rhythm-reading)
  - developed vocal technique
  - choral singing experience
  - possess a desire to continue singing in college
NO PREPARATION NEEDED: Music does not need to be taught beforehand.
MUSIC INCLUDED: The singers’ registration fee includes the cost.
CONDUCTOR TRACK: For all attending teachers who bring at least eight singers. View the updated schedule. Professional development credit is approved for Memphis Shelby County Schools teachers!
HONOR CHOIR SOCIAL: Pizza and drinks are provided by the UofM Choral Program.

The deadline to register is Friday, November 18, at 5 PM.

Honor Choir Conductors

Dr. Lori Hetzel

Dr. Lori Hetzel is the associate director and director of alumni relations in the School of Music, associate director of choral activities and professor of choral music education at the University of Kentucky.

Nomination & Fees

The participation fee is $60 per singer.

Payment Information:

During checking in on Day 1, teachers will hand a physical check for their entire school to the Choral GA leading check-in.

Make all checks out to: University of Memphis Foundation.
Memo: Choral Enrichment Fund (Honor Choir).

If you have any questions, please contact Karen Zeferino at kzferino@memphis.edu.

Schedules

Singer Track

Singer Track - January 30, 2025

Time	Activity
9:00 - 9:40 AM	Check-in at the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center lobby and move to Plough Performance Hall stage	SFPAC Lobby
9:40 -10:00 AM	Warm-up with Dr. Cathlina, Director of Choral Activities, University of Memphis	Plough Hall
10 -10:10 AM	Transition to Sectionals Sopranos/Altos - stay in SFPAC Plough Hall Tenors/Basses - SFPAC Hodges Choral Masterclass Room
10:10 AM - 1 PM	Sectionals SA - SFPAC Plough Hall TB - SFPAC Hodges Choral Masterclass Room
1-1:55 PM	Honor Choir Social - lunch provided	SFPAC Lobby
Break
2 - 5:20 PM	Honor Choir Full Rehearsal with Dr. Hetzel and Dr. Cathlina UofM School of Music Auditions will take place simultaneously for students that registered ahead of time.	Plough Hall
5:20 - 5:50 PM	Voice Masterclass Get Scholarship Audition Tips from Dr. Paulina Villarreal, Voice Professor, University of Memphis	Plough Hall
5:50 PM	Dismissal

Singer Track - January 31

All students should arrive in their Honor Choir concert attire (Honor Choir t-shirt + blue jeans)

Time	Activity
8:30 AM	Arrive and head to sectional rooms SA - SFPAC Plough Hall TB - SFPAC Hodges Choral Masterclass Room	SFPAC Lobby
9 - 10 AM	Sectionals with Dr. Hetzel and Dr. Cathlina	Plough Hall
10 - 10:10 AM	Transition to Full Rehearsals	Plough Hall
10:10 - 11:30 AM	Honor Choir Full Rehearsal	Plough Hall
11:30 - 11:50 AM	Logistics Rehearsal	Plough Hall
11:50 AM - 12:30 PM	Full Rehearsal	Plough Hall
12:30 - 1:45 PM	Lunch Break	On Campus
1:50 - 3:10 PM	Final Honor Choir Full Rehearsal	Hodges Masterclass Room
3:10 - 3:20 PM	Break
3:20 PM	Honor Choir Concert featuring the UofM University Singers	Plough Hall
3:30 PM	Honor Choir Concert featuring the UofM University Singers Free. Open to the public.	Plough Hall

Conductor Track

Conductor Track - January 30

Open to all educators who register their singers for the annual UoM Honor Choir.

Professional development credit approved for Memphis Shelby County Schools educators!

Time	Activity
9 - 9:40 AM	Check-in at the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center lobby and guide students to Plough Performance Hall stage	SFPAC Lobby
9:40 - 10:10 AM	Coffe Break + Networking	SFPAC Lobby
10:10 - 11:05 AM	Session 1: Dr. Lori Hetzel, Associate Director of Choral Studies, University of Kentucky	Hubbert Donor Lounge
11:10 AM - 12:05 PM	Session 2: Dr. Francis Cathlina, Director of Choral Activities, University of Memphis	Hubbert Donor Lounge
12:10 - 1 PM	Sectionals Observe the clinician teaching sectionals: SA in SF Plough, TB in SF Choral
1 - 1:55 PM	Honor Choir Social - pizza lunch provided	SFPAC Lobby
2 - 2:25 PM	Observe Tigerchor (TTBB) rehearsal Tigerchor starts at 1:00. Conductors are welcome to eat and observe starting at 1PM.	Hodges Masterclass Room
2:30 - 3:30 PM	Session 3: Dr. Lori Hetzel, Associate Director of Choral Studies, Univ of Kentucky	Hodges Masterclass Room
3:30 - 3:40 PM	Break
3:44 - 5:45 PM	Conductor’s Chorus, graduate practicum choir	Hodges Masterclass Room
5:45 - 5:50 PM	Rejoin students for Voice Masterclass	Plough Hall
5:50 PM	Dismissal

Conductor Track - January 31