Thabo Matshego is an Internationally recognised African music composer and arranger published at Music Spoke under the Dr. Derrick Fox choral series. His arrangements and compositions have been performed by choirs and at choral festivals throughout Africa and the United States including: University of Minnesota Duluth University Singers; Boltin State University Choir; Cape Town Youth Choir; The South African Youth Choir; University of Nebraska at Omaha Concert Choir; Octavo Series Choruses led by Maestros Derrick Fox and Amanda Quist at Carnegie Hall

Thabo also worked extensively as a creative director, musical director, arranger, and vocal coach for various productions, ensembles, and artists. Some of these include the following: 

• African Music director/ arranger at Quava Vocal Group under the leadership of Sabelo Mthembu (2018 – Current)

• Creative director, arranger, and vocal coach at ATKV Sêr  (2014 – 2017)

• Vocal director and producer for South African artist Thabsie (2019 -2020)

• Musical director, vocal coach, and arranger at various corporate gigs, weddings, and churches ( 2017 – Present) 

Thabo has and continuous to work extensive as a professional chorister and vocalists in reputable choirs and TV productions including: 

• Chorister at The North West Provincial Youth Choir (2010-2011) under the leadership of Franco Prinsloo

• Chorister at the University of Johannesburg Choir (2012 – 2016) under the leadership of Renette Bouwer and Sidumo Nyemezela 

• Vocalist at internationally acclaimed TV show Clash of the Choirs season 1 

• Chorister at Quava Vocal Group (2018 – Current) under the leadership of Sabelo Mthembu 

• Chorister at Veni Cantare ( 2022 – Current) Under the leadership of Sizwe Mondlane

• Backing vocalist for Bongi Mvuyana 

Selected by audition from students of any discipline on campus, University Singers is the premier large ensemble in the UMD choral program. Founded in 1972 by Professor Vernon H. Opheim, University Singers has a long and successful history of performances, including nine concert tours of Europe; concert tours in Kenya, Tanzania, and Costa Rica; and invited performances for state and regional conferences of both ACDA and MMEA. University Singers is conducted by Dr. Ryan Deignan, director of choral activities at the University of Minnesota Duluth. 

University Singers maintains an active performance schedule, performing large choral masterworks with the UMD Symphony Orchestra and combined choral ensembles and annual concert traditions, including the Weber Memorial Concert, Sounds of the Season, and annual fall, mid-winter, and spring concerts. The choir has hosted and performed under guest conductors from Sweden, Hungary, and Russia.

Auditions 

Auditions for University Singers are held in the fall during the first week of classes and the last two weeks of the fall semester in preparation for the spring. 

 To express interest in auditioning for University Singers, please register for MU 1511, fill out this form, and email Dr. Deignan (rdeignan@d.umn.edu) about setting up an audition time. 

 Auditions will include vocal warmups, a prepared song in a traditional or classical style, and other exercises. If you do not have a prepared song, feel free to contact Dr. Deignan who can provide one. 

Email Dr. Deignan (rdeignan@d.umn.edu) with any questions and concerns. 

Concert Chorale is a non-auditioned choir dedicated to the rehearsal and performance of music from a variety of cultures, styles, and historical periods. Concert Chorale typically performs twice each semester in the Weber Music Hall, including in the popular December Sounds of the Season and often in the choral masterworks concert presented with the University Singers and UMD Symphony Orchestra. Comprising both music majors and non-music majors alike, Concert Chorale welcomes any interested student on campus. 

If you have questions or are interested in joining Concert Chorale, register for MU 1510 and contact Mr. Chris Fettig (fett0034@d.umn.edu) for more information.

Founded in 1992, the UMD vocal jazz program is the largest curricular ensemble program specializing in vocal jazz and contemporary commercial styles in the state of Minnesota. Composed of students of varying majors and musical backgrounds, UMD vocal jazz ensembles Lake Effect, Aurora, and Chill Factor perform two sold out solo concerts each year and join the UMD Choirs on their Sounds of the Season and Honors festival concerts. In addition to campus and community gigs, Lake Effect and Chill Factor travel often, regionally, nationally, and internationally, including trips to Ireland and China. In 2023, Lake Effect appeared as the featured performer at the Kirkwood Jazz Festival in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In the past, UMD vocal jazz performed frequently at the well-known Western Michigan Gold Company Vocal Jazz Invitational, where both ensembles have received Outstanding Performance Awards. In 2005, Lake Effect won a Downbeat Award in the Outstanding Collegiate Performance category. Lake Effect was selected for the 2006 ACDA state convention and for the 2007 MMEA Midwinter Clinic. In March of 2014, Lake Effect performed at the North Central Division for ACDA in Des Moines, Iowa where they opened for Cantus. 

Membership in the UMD vocal jazz ensembles is open to all UMD students regardless of major or year in school. All are welcome! If you enjoy singing: 1) jazz, latin, funk, rock, pop and other popular styles, 2) challenging harmonies, and 3) on mics in small groups, then consider joining. If you have never sung jazz, no worries - we do all kinds of popular genres. We are looking for potential, not perfection!

Registration Information

• There are three UMD Vocal Jazz Ensembles, Lake Effect, Aurora, and Chill Factor. 

• Each ensemble constitutes a class section of a 1-credit academic course called MU 1513 Vocal Jazz. 

• MU 1513-001 Chill Factor meets Tues/Thurs 5:00-6:30 pm

• MU 1513-002 Lake Effect meets Mon/Wed/Fri 12-12:50 pm

How to Audition

•  Register for either Lake Effect  or Chill Factor  (see above).

• Complete the information form found HERE and email Dr. Deignan (rdeignan@d.umn.edu) to set up an audition time. 

• Auditions will take place the first week of school in the fall and the last two weeks of the fall semester in preparation for the spring. 

• During the audition, you will complete two prepared singing tasks: two scales and a short solo in a popular style with a karaoke track. For information about how to prepare the scales and solo, click HERE. 

• Students who are accepted in August are invited to participate for the full year.  

Questions? Contact Dr. Deignan at rdeignan@d.umn.edu.

Chamber Singers is an auditioned chamber ensemble selected from the membership of University Singers. Members of the Chamber Singers explore the rich variety of music for small ensemble, with an emphasis on non-conducted or self-conducted performances. Chamber Singers has been the featured guest ensemble at state and regional ACDA events, and have performed for numerous choral department concert tours. The ensemble performs at most choral events, and has been invited to sing for special holiday performances, UMD campus receptions, and for special projects including: a cantata for the Baeumler-Kaplan Holocaust observance; motets for a mass at Holy Rosary Cathedral; chorus for a Baroque opera; and performances with the Chamber Orchestra.

Auditions 

Auditions for Chamber Singers are held in the fall during the first week of classes and the last two weeks of the fall semester in preparation for the spring. 

 To express interest in auditioning for Chamber Singers, please register for MU 1512, fill out this form, and email Mr. Fettig (fett0034@d.umn.edu) about setting up an audition time. 

Auditions will include vocal warmups, a prepared song in a traditional or classical style, and other exercises. If you do not have a prepared song, feel free to contact Mr. Fettig who can provide one. 

Email Mr. Fettig (fett0034@d.umn.edu) with any questions and concerns. 

The University of Minnesota Duluth Opera Studio serves both the graduate and undergraduate vocal studies majors and other qualified singers. The Opera Studio presents two major performances a year – an opera scenes program and a full-length opera. Performances are done in English or the original language with supertitles. Scenes and operas are chosen to fit the students' abilities with an emphasis on developing stage and acting skills. 

Past productions have included standard classical and more adventurous contemporary repertoire including operas such as Die Fledermaus, Street Scene, and The Magic Flute.

If you are interested in participating in opera studio, contact Professor Rachel Inselman (rinselma@d.umn.edu) for more information. 

Voice lessons are available to all UMD students regardless of major. Receive instruction from world-class faculty on songs of your choice, ranging from popular, to musical theatre, to classical. 

Directions to sign-up 

1. Register for MU 1312 Voice Lessons

2. Fill out this FORM. 

3. Screenshot/scan the form and email it to Professor Rachel Inselman (rinselma@d.umn.edu) who will assign you a voice teacher and give you further information.