Honor Choir (Expand For Information)
Honor Choir (Expand For Information)
Embedded Files
Hello!
The University of Tennessee at Martin is excited to continue the tradition for the northwest Tennessee area in the form of this high school Honor Choir Festival! This event brings high school students from across this area to the UT Martin campus to sing together in a two-day festival. This year’s festival will begin on Friday, January 31 and will conclude with a final performance on Saturday, February 1.
It is the desire of the music department at UTM to bring high-level musical experiences to the northwest Tennessee area. Through the Honor Choir Festival, high school students will learn high-quality literature, work with collegiate conductors and professors, and create an inspiring and engaging performance that is open to families, friends, and the community.
Please read all the information below to help you understand and navigate the process of applying for this exciting new event!
Application Process - Dynamic Forms
Anyone who fills out an application (director or student) will need to create an account first. This process is free and simple. Please follow the steps below:
1. Click the link to the Application Form.
2. Create a new account.
3. Follow the prompts, log in, complete, and submit the form.
4. Directors have the option to submit applications for their students.
Once the application is submitted, two emails will be generated – one to the parent/guardian with a link to a publicity release form and one to the director with a link to a short recommendation form, which will also be submitted electronically. Directors and parents will need to scroll through the form to their page.
The application process for the Honor Choir is very similar to last year. However, if students desire to audition for the Select Chamber Singers, they will submit a video audition along with a Google Form (link is provided within the Honor Choir application form). Students who are accepted as a part of the Select Chamber Singers will rehearse and perform with the larger group Honor Choir during the weekend, but they will learn an additional 2-3 pieces that will be rehearsed separately during that weekend and performed as a part of the performance Saturday afternoon.
Directors: Your recommendation information will not be visible to students or parents.
Director Recommendations
Directors, this is one of the most important parts of the process. Students will be selected to the festival based on your recommendations of your students. Please be honest in your evaluation of each student, and provide as much detail as you can to help ensure success for all students. We want students at the festival who are prepared and ready for this high-level musical experience.
Fees
The fee for the UTM Honor Choir Festival is $50 per student and includes the cost of all music and a UTM Honor Choir t-shirt. Students selected for the Honor Choir will be notified via email by December 13, and more payment information will be provided then. Payments can be made by check to the UTM Choirs or through an online link provided at the time of acceptance. Total payment must be received by Friday, January 17, 2025. Alternate students will be selected to replace students who have not paid by this date. In the event of inclement weather, 50% of the fees paid will be refunded. Refunds will not be available for any other circumstance. Meals will be the responsibility of the students and directors. All hotel reservations are to be made by the director or families directly with the hotel. A lodging list for Martin and Union City is provided below.
Preparation
Music and learning materials will be provided to each director for each student selected to be in the Honor Choir. It is the responsibility of each student to learn their music and feel confident in their preparation as they arrive at the festival. This will ensure a positive and artistic experience for all of the musicians involved!
Directors: Dr. Mark Statler will contact you to assist in any way he can with helping you make sure your students are prepared.
Communication
All communication for the festival, including notification of acceptance, login and password information, sheet music, and final information will be sent to directors. Please relay this information to your students, families, and school administration.
Repertoire
Students have a choice of whether to receive their music digitally or in physical, hard copy form. This music will be sent to the director who will distribute the music to each selected student accordingly.
Location
Rehearsals for the Honor Choir Festival will take place in the Fine Arts Building on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin (16 Mt Pelia Rd, Martin, TN). The final performance will take place in the Fine Arts Building in Harriet Fulton Theater.
Directors’ Sessions
There will be sessions provided for directors on Friday and Saturday during the festival. More information about these will be provided as it becomes available.
Dates to Remember
December 8 - Application and director recommendations due
December 13 - Email notification to directors of selected students
January 17 - Payment due
January 31 - On-campus registration and rehearsal
February 1 - Rehearsal and Honor Choir performance
If you have any other questions, please reach out. We are so excited to welcome these students to the UTM Honor Choir!
Gratefully,
Dr. Mark Statler
Director of Choral Activities | Assistant Professor of Music
University of Tennessee at Martin
(731) 881-7412 | mstatler@utm.edu
Application Form
Application Form
Use this link to complete an application form for the 2024 UTM Honor Choir Festival:
https://dynamicforms.ngwebsolutions.com/Submit/Start/d7eb1872-14f4-42f7-9a69-4f11e4c8a823?SSO=N
Select Chamber Singers Audition INformation
Select Chamber Singers Audition INformation
If you are only interested in applying for the UT Martin Honor Choir large group, you do not need to complete this video audition. This is only for those who are interested in auditioning for the Select Chamber Singers, a group that will rehearse and perform 2-3 pieces in addition to the large group music.
Basic information:
This will be a small group of singers with only 4-5 singers per voice part, conducted by Dr. Mark Statler.
This choir will rehearse with the large group for most of the Honor Choir weekend, but will practice separately a few times during large group rehearsals.
Students who are accepted as a part of the Select Chamber Singers will perform with the large group Honor Choir and will perform their additional pieces as a part of the Saturday afternoon concert.
For a successful video audition, please follow the steps below:
Download or print off the audition portion of the sheet music: “Measure Me, Sky!” by Jonathan Reid, measures 68-82.
Choose your preferred voice part and follow that line of music:
Soprano 1 - m.68-76 top note of the soprano line // m.77-82 top note of the S/A line
Soprano 2 - m.68-76 bottom note of the soprano line // m.77-82 if there are two notes sing the top note, if there are three notes sing the middle note
Alto 1 and Alto 2- m.68-76 sing the alto line // m.77-82 sing the bottom note of the S/A line
Tenor 1 and Tenor 2 -m.68-76 sing the tenor line // m.77-82 sing the top note of the T/B line
Baritone - m.68-76 top note of the bass line // m.77-82 if there are two notes sing the bottom note, if there are three notes sing the middle note
Bass - m.68-76 bottom note of the bass line // m.77-82 sing the bottom note of the S/A line
Practice along with the rehearsal tracks: Measure Me, Sky! rehearsal tracks
Video record yourself singing along with the Performance Track: Measure Me, Sky! Performance Track
Submit your video recording on the Google Form: Select Chamber Singers Audition Form
You may submit an YouTube video link that is "unlisted" or a Google Drive or One Drive link with the accessibility set to “anyone with link can access".
If you have any issues, contact Dr. Statler at mstatler@utm.edu.
Schedule
Schedule
*Subject to revision*
Friday, January 31
9:00 - 10:00 am Registration
10:00 am - 12:00 pm Rehearsal
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Rehearsal
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Break
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm Rehearsal
5:30 pm, End of scheduled day
Saturday, February 1
8:30 am Grab and Go Student Breakfast
9:00 - 10:30 am Rehearsal
10:30 - 11:00 am Break
11:00 am - 12:00 pm Rehearsal
12:00 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 2:15 pm Final rehearsal
2:15 - 3:00 pm Break
3:00 - 3:30 pm Warm-up before concert
3:30 pm Concert in Harriet Fulton Theater
Practice Materials
Practice Materials
UT Martin Honor Choir 2025 - Practice Materials
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10MXFdPDZnATlcu4e8Xn8zXZIU23u3VuJ?usp=sharing
Honor Choir - Final Roster 2025.pdfChamber Singers - Final Roster 2025.pdfFees
Fees
The fee for the UTM Honor Choir Festival is $50 per student and includes the cost of all music and a UTM Honor Choir t-shirt. Students selected for the Honor Choir will be notified through their director or this online list. The cost is $50 per student, and the easiest way to pay is through the UTM Music Department Marketplace website: https://secure.touchnet.com/C21608_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=8&SINGLESTORE=true. Students and families can pay individually through there with a credit card, or directors can pay for multiple students. If you need to write a check instead, please contact Dr. Statler (mstatler@utm.edu), and he can give you that information. Total payment must be received by Friday, January 17, 2025. Alternate students will be selected to replace students who have not paid by this date. In the event of inclement weather, 50% of the fees paid will be refunded. Refunds will not be available for any other circumstance. Meals will be the responsibility of the students and directors. All hotel reservations are to be made by the director or families directly with the hotel. A lodging list for Martin and Union City is provided below.
Lodging
Lodging
Days Inn - Martin (731) 587-9577
Econo Lodge - Martin (731) 587-4241
Hampton Inn - Martin (731) 587-5800
Hampton Inn - Union City (731) 885-8850
Hospitality House - Union City (731) 885-6610
Country Hearth - Union City (731) 885-7774
Super 8 - Union City (731) 885-4444
Sleep Inn Mainstay & Suites - Union City (731) 599-7272
Holiday Inn Express - Union City (731) 599-7990
Directors' SessionS
Directors' SessionS
Sessions will be announced in January 2025.
Final Information
Final Information
Wi-Fi: Free guest Wi-Fi service will be available. Choose the “UTM-Open” network.
Registration: When you arrive to the Fine Arts building on the UTM campus, there will be a registration table for you to check in, receive all music/materials/t-shirts, and ask any questions you have. Students will be able to sign up for a “mini voice lesson” with our applied voice faculty, Dr. Robert Mancusi and Dr. Amy Yeung. Spots are limited, and students can sign up to do the lesson together with a friend if they prefer. (Students will be pulled out of the large group rehearsal for these 15-minute lessons.)
Practice: Students, please make sure you have been practicing the music and that you feel confident on your part! As you all know, rehearsals will be much more enjoyable and meaningful if we don’t have to spend time learning notes and rhythms! The Google folder still has all the digital scores and learning tracks available to practice along with.
Folders: Students should have a folder/binder that can properly hold the music. Black folders are preferred, but not required. While we may sing some of the music memorized during the concert, we’ll also use music for a number of pieces as well.
Concert Attire: Concert attire is a choice. Students can wear normal school concert attire to match with one another, or they can wear concert black or concert black/white.
Restaurants: The music department has put together a list of restaurants in Martin (including QR codes with menus!) for you to easily find what you may want to eat during those times.
Payment: Please make sure you have paid the registration fee. Online payments can be made at https://secure.touchnet.com/C21608_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=8&SINGLESTORE=true.
Concert: The concert on Saturday is free for anyone to attend.
Dr. Mark StATLER
utm dIRECTOR OF cHORAL aCTIVITIES
Dr. Mark StATLER
utm dIRECTOR OF cHORAL aCTIVITIES
Dr. Mark Statler is the Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Tennessee at Martin where he conducts the University Singers and New Pacer Singers and teaches choral music education courses. He and his wife, Audrey, have three children: Mattie, Eliana, and Sam.
Mark grew up in the cornfields of Rochester, Indiana before graduating from Taylor University with a music education degree in 2010 and teaching general music at Center Grove Elementary School in Greenwood, Indiana. Mark then moved to Kenya in 2011 to direct the middle school and high school choral program at Rosslyn Academy, an international school in the capital city of Nairobi. In addition to teaching, he had the joy of being a part of the classical music scene by conducting the Nairobi Music Society and the Nairobi Orchestra in choral/symphonic works such as Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s Mass in C, Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass, Bach’s Christ Lag in Todes Banden, Handel’s Israel in Egypt, and Brahms’ Schicksalslied. He also sang with and conducted the Greenwood Singers, a 16-member chamber choir.
In 2018, the Statler family moved back to the U.S. where Mark studied choral conducting at Bowling Green State University, graduating with his master’s degree in 2020. During this time, Mark assisted with choral music education classes under Dr. Emily Pence Brown, conducted choirs under Dr. Mark Munson and Dr. Richard Schnipke, and directed the Fostoria Lake Plains Barbershop Chorus. Mark then continued his graduate studies at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana with a primary focus in choral conducting and a secondary focus in music education. While at Ball State, Mark was the instructor of record for music theory and aural skills classes, conducted the undergraduate choir University Choral Union, assisted conducting classes under Dr. Kerry Glann, and was an assistant conductor for choirs under Dr. Andrew Crow. Working as an adjunct professor, he conducted the Taylor University Women’s Chorus and mentored working music educators in the online master’s program at Bowling Green State University. The choral music of Florence B. Price (1887-1953) was the focus of his dissertation lecture recital and he continues to research, perform, and present these artistic and important under-performed works. Graduating from Ball State in 2023 with a Doctor of Arts in Music degree, he officially became Dr. Mark Statler.
Dr. Sara Lynn baird - Guest Conductor
Dr. Sara Lynn baird - Guest Conductor
Dr. Sara Lynn Baird served as Dean in the College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering at the University of North Alabama until her retirement in summer 2023. She was previously Associate Dean and also held faculty and administrative positions at Auburn and Louisiana State Universities. At LSU, she served as Stephanie Landry Barineau Professor of Choral Studies in the School of Music and Interim Dean of the
College of Music and Dramatic Arts. There, she founded and conducted the LSU Schola Cantorum, a mixed choir, and the Select Women’s Ensemble. Under her direction, Schola Cantorum performed frequently in Baton Rouge with the Louisiana Sinfonietta, a chamber orchestra. Baird conducted the LSU Schola Cantorum and the Louisiana Sinfonietta in performances of music by Dr. Constantinides for a
commercially released CD on the Centaur label in 2007. From 2000-2003 she served as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Louisiana Vocal Arts Chorale in New Orleans. In 2002, the LSU Select Women's Ensemble under her direction was selected to perform at the Southern Region Conference of ACDA in Charlotte, NC.
Baird has published a chapter in Outside In: Voices from the Margins (2018); an article and numerous choral reviews in the Choral Journal; and coauthored an article published in the Southeastern Journal of Music Education. She has served as clinician for choral festivals, high school and collegiate honor choirs, conferences, and universities in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North
Carolina, Tennessee, Washington, and West Virginia. Additionally, she has served NASM as presenter, committee member, and visiting evaluator for accreditation, as well, as in a variety of leadership roles for the American Choral Directors Association.
2025 Results
2025 Results
Directors will be notified via email about student acceptances by December 13
Page updated
Report abuse