University Choir

Professor Richard Bjella, Conductor
Clinton Barrick, Pianist
Trey Davis, Graduate Assistant

For more than fifty years, the Texas Tech University Choir has enjoyed a rich legacy of outstanding conductors and has established a standard of excellence recognized through both national and international venues. A featured performing ensemble of the 2008 TMEA Convention, the University Choir also served as the demonstration choir for Eric Whitacre for that event. In 2007, the Choir returned to England for the third annual St. John's College, Cambridge / Texas Tech Summer Choral Institute, performing Evensong services at St. Paul's Cathedral, London and St. John's Chapel, Cambridge with David Hill, principal conductor of the BBC Singers and composer Bob Chilcott. In January 2007, the Choir joined Craig Hella Johnson and Conspirare for the National Endowment of the Arts American Masterpieces Music Festival.

The highly acclaimed invitational performances before the American Choral Directors Association 2005 National Convention in Los Angeles marked the third occasion for the Choir to sing for an ACDA national convention. Other highlights from recent seasons include, performances for 2004 TMEA; 2004 ACDA Southwest regional; and in 2002, the Choir represented the U. S. at the Association of British Choral Directors national convention in York, England. The Choir has won effusive praise from composers Eric Whitacre and Stephen Paulus through collaborative workshops.

In the spring of 2009 the University Choir toured to the Dallas and Fort Worth areas in performing the complete St. John Passion of J.S. Bach along with other concert repertoire.

On May 2, 2010 the Texas Tech University Choir made its debut solo appearance at Carnegie Hall to rave reviews.

The University Choir rehearses Mondays and Wednesdays, 12 – 12:50 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 – 1:50 p.m.

MUEN 3101-201, 3201-201 (undergraduate); MUEN 5101-201 (graduate)