This spring, choral faculty, students, and an alumnus represented the Texas Tech School of Music on one of the world’s most prestigious stages, a landmark performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
On March 30, 2026, Alan Zabriskie, director of choral studies and professor of music, served as guest conductor for the National Concert Chorus. Singers from the Texas Tech University choirs joined singers from across the country, including ensembles and individuals from New York, California, and Florida, forming a nationally representative chorus for the evening.
“Having had the opportunity to conduct at Carnegie Hall a few times now, I still find it hard to put into words what it’s like to perform there,” Zabriskie said. “What made this experience especially meaningful was sharing it with our incredible student singers from Texas Tech.”
The performance featured a dynamic and contemporary program, including works by Dan Campioleta, Jake Runestad, and Kim André Arnesen. A highlight of the evening was the world premiere of a newly commissioned choral work by Texas Tech alumnus Patrick Vu (MM Choral Conducting, 2024), marking his Carnegie Hall debut as a composer, an occasion Zabriskie described as an honor to help bring to the stage.
For Zabriskie, whose career includes conducting performances across the United States and internationally, the opportunity to lead at Carnegie Hall once again reflects both his professional distinction and the strength of Texas Tech’s choral program. Under his direction, Texas Tech choirs have earned national recognition, with performances at major conferences and repeated invitations to prestigious venues.
Zabriskie reflected, “I feel incredibly grateful to work with such wonderful people and musicians; doing it all together on one of the world’s most iconic stages was truly special.”
Vu’s rapid rise as a composer has garnered attention from leading choral organizations nationwide. His music has been performed by ensembles such as VocalEssence, the Dallas Chamber Choir, and the Washington Master Chorale, and he was awarded the American Choral Directors Association’s Raymond Brock Prize for Student Composers in 2023. His Carnegie Hall premiere represents a significant milestone in an already accomplished early career.
Together, the performance reflects the continued impact of the Texas Tech School of Music, with students, faculty, and alumni contributing to choral music on national and international stages.
Together, the performance reflects the continued impact of the Texas Tech School of Music, with students, faculty and alumni contributing to choral music on national and international stages.
[PULL QUOTE] "What made this experience especially meaningful was sharing it with our incredible student singers from Texas Tech" - Alan Zabriskie