2022 SWACDA Program - UNT A Cappella Choir

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS
A Cappella Choir
03.02.22 • 11:30 AM • ROBINSON CENTER • LITTLE ROCK, AR
music.unt.edu

A Cappella Choir
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS
AT SWACDA 2022
CONTENTS
10
WELCOME
3 4
Message
from the Dean
History of UNT
A Cappella Choir
6
Laudate
Dominum
8
Love:
Then and Still
PROGRAM
7
Dum transisset
Sabbatum
9
Der Geist hilft unser
Schwachheit auf
12
MEET THE CHOIR
10 12
About Allen
Hightower
Choir
Members
FACULTY & ADMINISTRATION
14 15
Choral & Voice
Faculty
UNT
Administration
16
2 Southwestern American Choral Directors Association

WORDS OF
WELCOME
by the Dean of the
College of Music
I
am pleased and honored to greet you on
behalf of the alumni, faculty, staff, and
students of the College of Music at the
University of North Texas, and to extend
heartfelt best wishes for a spectacular Southwestern
ACDA Conference. We are grateful and humbled to be a
part of such a distinguished conference devoted, as the
ACDA Mission states, “…to inspire excellence and nurture
lifelong involvement in choral music for everyone through
education, performance, composition and advocacy.”
Our UNT College of Music mission, “…to serve our
diverse musical culture with excellence, integrity, and
imagination” aligns so well with ACDA’s!
The Choral Studies program at UNT, led by Director
of Choral Studies Professor Allen Hightower, DMA,
continues to reach new heights of excellence and
achievement. Recent performances and collaborations
of our A Cappella Choir under Dr. Hightower’s direction
include their appearance at the National ACDA Virtual
Conference last year, and their concert collaborations
with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, scheduled
to resume next fall. Our faculty in Choral Studies also
includes Dr. Kristina Caswell MacMullen (Associate
Professor of Choral Studies and conductor of the UNT
University Singers and Kalandra), Dr. Jessica Nápoles
(Professor of Choral Music Education and conductor
of the UNT Concert Choir), Dr. Joshua Habermann
(Instructor of Choral Literature), and Dr. Jamey Kelley
(Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education).
Best wishes for a fabulous conference. Please keep
in touch and let us know how we can help you in the
future. We are extremely proud of our Choral Studies
Program and so grateful for the opportunity to perform
for you this year.
Sincerely,
JOHN W. RICHMOND, PH.D.
Professor and Dean of the College of Music | University of North Texas
The UNT
College
of Music
– serving
our diverse
musical
culture with
excellence,
integrity and
imagination.
A Cappella Choir | UNT College of Music 3

History of
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS
A Cappella Choir
FOUNDED IN 1938 BY WILFRED BAIN
Founded in 1938, the University of North Texas A Cappella Choir has a
distinguished history of conductors that include Wilfred Bain, Frank McKinley,
Hal Gibbons, Mel Ivey and Jerry McCoy.
Allen Hightower assumed leadership of the choir upon his appointment
as Director of Choral Studies in the Fall of 2016. His previous choirs have
performed for the Southwestern, North Central and national conferences of
ACDA. He served previously at Odessa Permian High School, Sam Houston State
University and Luther College. This conference appearance marks his fifth ACDA
invited choir.
The A Cappella Choir is frequently invited to regional, national and international
conferences. Most recent engagements include national ACDA in 2021 (livestreamed),
2013 (Dallas), 2005 (Los Angeles), and 1999 (Chicago); NCCO in
2008 (Cincinnati); and the International Choral Festival in 2012 (Daejeon, South
Korea) and in 2009 (Taipei). The choir has enjoyed frequent engagements with
professional orchestras such as the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and serves
as the core ensemble of the UNT Grand Chorus, the collaborative partner of the
UNT Symphony Orchestra, one of two university orchestras.
The A Cappella Choir is one of ten choral ensembles at UNT which includes the
University Singers, Concert Choir, Kalandra, Chorale, Camerata, Vox Aquilae,
Grand Chorus, Conductor’s Chorus and UpFront!. The Choral Studies program
works closely with the renowned vocal studies and opera programs at UNT,
creating an ideal environment for student singers.
4 Southwestern American Choral Directors Association

A Cappella Choir | UNT College of Music 5

Program
Laudate Dominum
LEVENTE GYÖNGYÖSI (B. 1975)
2016
ABOUT THE COMPOSITION
LAUDATE DOMINUM
was composed by Romanian-born
Hungarian composer Levente Gyöngyösi
in 2016 for treble chorus, and later
adapted for mixed choir. Gyöngyösi sets
the text from Psalm 148 in a rhythmic
and exuberant style. The exciting work
serves as an ideal opening for a choral
concert, capturing the interest of the
audience with its sudden dynamic shifts,
crisp articulation, crunchy harmonies,
and almost frantic pace.
Text from Psalm 148
LATIN TEXT
Laudate dominum de caelis,
Laudate eum in excelsis.
Laudate omnes angeli eius,
Laudate omnes virtutes eius.
Laudate eum, sol et luna,
Laudate omnes stelae lucentes.
Alleluia, amen!
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Praise the Lord from the heavens,
Praise him on the heights.
Praise all his angels,
Praise all his hosts.
Praise him, sun and moon,
Praise him, all shining stars
Alleluia, amen!
6 Southwestern American Choral Directors Association

Dum Transisset Sabbatum
JOHN TAVERNER (C.1498-1545)
C. 1540
Text from Mark 16:1-2
LATIN TEXT
Dum transisset Sabbatum,
Maria Magdalene et Maria Jacobi,
et Salome emerunt aromata,
ut venientes ungerent Jesum. Alleluia.
Et valde mane una sabbatorum
veniunt ad monumentum orto iam sole.
Ut venientes ungerent Jesum. Alleluia.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
And when the sabbath was past,
Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James,
and Salome, had bought sweet spices,
that they might come and anoint him. Alleluia.
And very early in the morning the first day of the week,
they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun,
that they might come and anoint him. Alleluia.
ABOUT THE COMPOSITION
DUM TRANSISSET SABBATUM
was composed for Easter Day by the
English Renaissance composer, John
Taverner. The Biblical text from Mark
chapter 16 tells the compelling story
of the women Mary Magdalene, Mary
the mother of James, and Salome who
brought spices to anoint the body of the
crucified Jesus Christ. A somber and
contemplative tone is established by
the use of Gregorian chant employed
throughout the work. As the women
arrive at the tomb very early in the
morning, they discover that the body of
Jesus is no longer there. The joy of the
resurrection erupts in shouts of “Alleluia”.
A Cappella Choir | UNT College of Music 7

Program
Love: Then & Still
SUSAN LABARR (B. 1981)
2016
ABOUT THE COMPOSITION
LOVE: THEN & STILL
is the result of an artistic collaboration
between poet Charles Anthony Silvestri
and composer Susan LaBarr. The work
is both a love song and the story of
one’s life journey. This journey takes
the listener from the euphoria of a
new marriage, through the growth of a
beautiful family, and ultimately to the
tragic loss of a wife and mother. The
story is the true-life journey of the poet.
Joy, heartbreak, and eventual healing
brings this tender choral work to its
conclusion.
Lyrics by Charles Anthony Silvestri
(B. 1965)
We were married in late September,
Among the changing leaves;
Crimson banners in the courtyard
Heralding our union,
We were so happy, then.
The music we shared brought us together,
A duet most unlikely.
Work and home and son and daughter,
Busy in joy and love.
How simple it seemed, then.
But who could have known what fate awaited
Our little family of four?
A spectre came and dwelt among us,
And robbed us of our joy.
And then we were only three.
But time has passed and wounds have healed,
Leaving scars behind;
But scars remind us what was, and what yet may be,
That we loved, and love you, still.
8 Southwestern American Choral Directors Association

ABOUT THE
COMPOSITION
DER GEIST HILFT UNSER
SCHWACHHEIT AUF
ranks among the great motets
of J.S. Bach. With text selected
from the eighth chapter of the
book of Romans, the Apostle
Paul assures the listener that the
Holy Spirit will indeed help us
in our weakness, serving as our
advocate before God, praying for
us through groans beyond our
capacity to comprehend. Set as a
double choir, the motet is divided
into four sections. The opening
section is set in 3/8 meter and in
exuberant joy gives the listener
the sense of the Spirit’s constant
and energized activity on our
behalf. In the second section we
hear Bach’s depiction of the Spirit
groanings before the throne of
God. The third section, set in fourpart
texture assures the listener
that the Spirit is at work to
achieve that which pleases God.
The motet closes with a reflective
chorale with text by the great
Reformer, Martin Luther, calling
upon the Spirit to deliver us
through trials and even through
death unto heaven.
Der Geist hilft unser
Schwachheit auf
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750) (BWV 226) (1729)
Romans 8:26-27, Martin Luther (1483-1546)
GERMAN TEXT
Der Geist hilft unsrer Schwachheit auf.
Denn wir wissen nicht,
Was wir beten sollen,
Wie sich’s gebühret;
Sondern der Geist selbst vertritt
Uns aufs beste mit unaussprechlichem
Seufzen.
Der aber die Herzen forschet, der weiß,
Was des Geistes Sinn sei,
TRANSLATION
The Spirit comes to help our weakness,
For we do not know
What we should pray,
As we ought to pray;
But the Spirit itself pleads
For us in the best way with inexpressible
groans.
But he who searches our hearts knows
What the Spirit means
Denn er vertritt die Heiligen nach dem,
Das Gott gefället.
Du heilige Brunst, süßer Trost
Nun hilf uns, fröhlich und getrost
In deinem Dienst beständig bleiben,
Die Trübsal uns nicht abtreiben.
O Herr, durch dein Kraft uns bereit
Und stärk des Fleisches Blödigkeit,
Dass wir hie ritterlich ringen,
Durch Tod und Leben zu dir dringen.
Halleluja, halleluja.
Since he pleads for the saints
In the way that pleases God.
You sacred warmth, sweet consolation,
Now help us joyful and comforted
In your service, always to remain
Do not let sorrow drive us away!
O Lord, through your power make us ready
And strengthen the feebleness of our flesh
So that we may bravely struggle
Through life and death to reach you!
Alleluia, alleluia.
A Cappella Choir | UNT College of Music 9

Meet the Conductor
Allen Hightower
10 10 Southwestern American Choral Directors Association

ALLEN HIGHTOWER is a seventh generation Texan, and resides
in McKinney, Texas with his wife Dr. Kristin Hightower and their
two daughters Caroline and Julianne. As the director of Choral
Studies at the University of North Texas, Allen leads the master’s
and doctoral programs in choral conducting, and oversees a
comprehensive choral program of 10 ensembles. Allen serves as
the conductor of the UNT A Cappella Choir, and the UNT Grand
Chorus which collaborates annually with the UNT Symphony
Orchestra in performances of major choral-orchestral works. As a
member of UNT’s Early Music faculty, he leads the vocal ensemble
Vox Aquilae, an artistic partner of the UNT Baroque Orchestra.
Since arriving at UNT in 2016, the A Cappella Choir has received
invitations to perform for the Texas Music Educators Association
in 2020, National Conference of the American Choral Directors
Association in 2021, and Southwestern Region of ACDA in 2022.
Vox Aquilae and the Baroque Orchestra were featured in the 2022
virtual conference of the National Collegiate Choral Organization.
As a teacher and conductor, he has visited 30 states, Asia,
and Europe. His students hold positions of leadership as choral
conductors in public schools, colleges and universities, and
churches and community choirs throughout the United States.
Prior to his appointment at UNT, Dr. Hightower held the Weston
Noble Endowed Chair in Music at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa,
where he served as conductor of the renowned Nordic Choir and
artistic director of Christmas at Luther. As Luther’s director of Choral
Activities, he gave leadership to a choral program that included four
conductors, six choirs, and over 530 singers. Under his direction, the
Nordic Choir performed at the 2014 North Central Region of ACDA,
recorded six compact discs, made annual concert tours throughout
the United States, and toured Europe on two occasions.
From 2000-2010, he served as professor of music and Director
of Choral Studies at Sam Houston State University. During his
tenure, the SHSU Chorale toured Europe, performed for the 2007
National Convention of the American Choral Directors Association,
the 2010 Southwestern Region of ACDA, and the 2003, 2006,
and 2010 conventions of the Texas Music Educators Association.
His public school teaching career included tenures at Klein High
School in Spring, Texas and at Odessa Permian High School in
Odessa, where he led the PHS Kantorei and Satin Strings in
performance at the 1996 TMEA convention.
Outside of his work in the academic setting, Allen has served as the
artistic director of the Houston Masterworks Chorus and Orchestra,
leading an annual concert series of choral-orchestral masterworks.
As a church musician, he has served Baptist, Congregational,
Methodist, and Presbyterian churches in Texas, California, and
Minnesota. He currently serves on the Music and Worship staff of
Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, and is the church
music vice-president of the Texas Choral Directors Association. Dr.
Hightower has served as an adjunct professor of conducting at
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
As a conducting student of the Texas choral legend Bev Henson,
Allen earned his undergraduate degree in music education and
piano from Sam Houston State University. He went on to earn a
master’s degree in choral conducting from the Eastman School of
Music where he was a student of Baroque scholar Alfred Mann, and
a master’s degree in orchestral conducting from Baylor University,
where he served as assistant conductor to Stephen Heyde and
accompanist to Donald Bailey and the Baylor Chamber Singers.
Allen earned his doctorate in conducting from the University of
California, Los Angeles, where he served as assistant conductor to
Donald Neuen. Hightower pursued additional orchestral conducting
studies with Jung-Ho Pak at the University of Southern California,
additional choral conducting studies with Joseph Flummerfelt at
Westminster Choir College, and choral-orchestral conducting with
Helmuth Rilling at the Oregon Bach Festival. After winning first
prize in the graduate division of the American Choral Directors
Association’s Conducting Competition in 1997, Allen served as
assistant to Paul Salamunovich, conductor of the Los Angeles
Master Chorale.
A Cappella Choir | UNT College of Music 11

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS
A Cappella Choir
SOPRANO
DANAH BERRY
Junior | B.M. in Music Education
Watauga, Texas
HARLI DANIEL
Sophomore | B.M. in Vocal Performance
Tomball, Texas
REAGAN DUNN
Junior | B.M. in Music Education
Coppell, Texas
MARISSA GUERRERO
Junior | B.M. in Vocal Performance,
Music Education
Carrollton, Texas
DANIELLE HARRINGTON
Junior | B.A. in Music
Fort Worth, Texas
JAMIE LAM
Senior | B.M. in Music Education
Richardson, Texas
MADISON LANG
Sophomore | B.M. in Vocal Performance
Frisco, Texas
KYUYIM LEE
D.M.A. in Vocal Performance
Seoul, South Korea
RACHEL MOES
Senior | B.M. in Vocal Performance,
Music Education
Centennial, Colorado
SAVANNA SINGLETON
Junior | B.M. in Music Education
Burleson, Texas
HANNAH WATKINS
Junior | B.M. in Music Education
Houston, Texas
ALTO
TAYLOR FRICK
Sophomore | B.M. in Music Education
Magnolia, Texas
D’ANGELO HAMPTON
M.M. in Vocal Performance
Chicago, Illinois
SARAH HARVEY
M.M. in Vocal Performance
Texarkana, Texas
SAMANTHA HAYDEL
Senior | B.M. in Music Education
Houston, Texas
MEREDITH HINSHAW
Junior | B.M. in Vocal Performance
Murphy, Texas
MORGAN KATHRYN MINEAR
M.M. in Vocal Performance
Decorah, Iowa
KASSIDY MONTÁN
Sophomore | B.M. in Music Education
Flower Mound, Texas
MACY REYES
Sophomore | B.M. in Vocal Performance
McKinney, Texas
VERONICA ROAN
Senior | B.M. in Vocal Performance
Dallas, Texas
ANNA RUTH SCHMELTER
Junior | B.M. in Music Education
San Antonio, Texas
CHLOE SPELLMANN
Sophomore | B.M. in Music Education
Amarillo, Texas
TENOR
SAM ARY
Senior | B.M. in Vocal Performance
Flower Mound, Texas
HOUSTON BURNS
Junior | B.M., B.S. in Vocal
Performance, Psychology
Lakeway, Texas
XAVIER M. HOWARD
Sophomore | B.M. in Vocal Performance,
Music Education
Woodbridge, Virginia
BENJAMIN JOHNSON
Junior | B.M. in
Music Education
Denver, Colorado
MARQUIS XAVIER MCBRIDE
Sophomore | B.M. in Vocal Performance,
Music Education
Princeton, Texas
WILL MCLEAN
D.M.A. in Choral Conducting
Duluth, Minnesota
KARA LIBBY
M.M. in Vocal Performance
St. Louis, Missouri
KATERI LAVACEK
M.M. in Choral Conducting
Indianapolis, Indiana
HASOO EUN
Senior | B.M. in Music Education
Suwon, South Korea
DE’COURTNEYOUS MILLER
M.M. in Vocal Performance
Camden, Arkansas
Meet our Teaching Fellows
THOMAS P. GERBER
Associate Conductor | Kalandra
Choral Librarian
JACOB AUGSTEN
Associate Conductor | Vox Aquilae
Fundamentals in Music Teaching Fellow
JORDAN D. BOYD
Assistant Conductor | Dallas Symphony Chorus
Conducting Teaching Fellow
KATERI LAVACEK
Associate Conductor | A Cappella Choir
Graduate Intern | Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas
12 Southwestern American Choral Directors Association

Meet the Choir
CHASE W. SHAW
Senior | B.M. in Music Education
Wichita Falls, Texas
SPENCER SIMPSON
M.M. in Vocal Performance
Frederick, Maryland
WILLIAM SWINNEY
Sophomore | B.M. in Music Education
Colleyville, Texas
BASS
JACOB AUGSTEN
D.M.A. in Choral Conducting
Griffin, Georgia
JOE BOATWRIGHT
Junior | B.M. in Music Education
Gilbert, Arizona
JORDAN D. BOYD
D.M.A. in Choral Conducting
Clover, South Carolina
HAWKINS BURNS
Junior | B.M., B.S. in Vocal Performance,
Computer Science
Austin, Texas
ISAAC E. CARLIN
M.M. in Vocal Performance
Omaha, Nebraska
MATTHEW DEXTER
Sophomore | B.M. in Vocal Performance
McKinney, Texas
SKYLAR DUBOSE
Senior | B.M. in Music Education
Euless, Texas
THOMAS P. GERBER
D.M.A. in Choral Conducting
Austin, Minnesota
TRES HUNTER
Senior | B.M. in
Vocal Performance
Burkburnett, Texas
PJ MOONEY
Junior | B.M. in Composition
Omaha, Nebraska
JUAN P. NAVA
Senior | B.M. in Music Education
Harker Heights, Texas
THOMAS RINN
Ph.D. in Music Education
Houston, Texas
ZACHARY ROHWER
Sophomore | B.M. in
Vocal Performance,
Music Education
Flower Mound, Texas
ADDISON JAY VINSON
Senior | B.M. in
Vocal Performance
Dallas, Texas
COLLABORATIVE
PIANIST
DONG HYUN KANG
M.M. in Choral Conducting
Seoul, South Korea
WILL MCLEAN
Conductor | Chorale
Associate Conductor | Concert Choir
MCKENNA STENSON
Conductor | Camerata
Associate Conductor | University Singers
DONG HYUN KANG
Pianist | A Cappella & Kalandra
CHIAO-JU HUNG
Pianist | Camerata & Concert Choir
BRENNO LIMA
Pianist | Chorale & University Singers
KI SACCO
Organist | Vox Aquilae
A Cappella Choir | UNT College of Music 13

Choral & Vocal Studies Faculty
Choral Studies
VOCAL STUDIES
FACULTY
JESSICA NÁPOLES
Professor of Choral Music Education
Concert Choir Conductor
JAMEY KELLEY
Assistant Professor of
Choral Music Education
KRISTINA CASWELL MACMULLEN
Associate Professor of Choral Studies
University Singers and
Kalandra Conductor
JOSHUA HABERMANN
Adjunct Lecturer of
Choral Literature
MOLLY FILLMORE
Chair, Division of Vocal Studies
Professor of Voice
soprano
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN
Professor of Voice
baritone
DANIEL BUBECK
Lecturer of Voice
countertenor
RICHARD CROFT
Distinguished Research
Professor of Voice
tenor
STEPHEN DUBBERLY
Associate Professor of Vocal
Literature and Coaching
WILLIAM JOYNER
Associate Professor of Voice
tenor
JENNIFER LANE
Professor of Voice
mezzo-soprano
JEFF MACMULLEN
Adjunct Professor of Voice
baritone
STEPHEN MORSCHECK
Professor of Voice
bass-baritone
ELVIA PUCCINELLI
Professor of Collaborative Piano
and Vocal Coaching
JEFFREY SNIDER
Associate Professor of Voice
baritone
CAROL WILSON
Professor of Voice
soprano
14 Southwestern American Choral Directors Association

Administration
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS SYSTEM
MICHAEL R. WILLIAMS
Chancellor
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS
NEAL SMATRESK
President
JENNIFER COWLEY
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
COLLEGE OF MUSIC
JOHN W. RICHMOND
Professor and Dean
WARREN HENRY ----------------------------------------------------------- Senior Associate Dean, Academic Affairs
FELIX OLSCHOFKA ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Associate Dean, Operations
EMILITA MARIN ----------------------------------------------------------------- Assistant Dean, Business and Finance
RAYMOND ROWELL ------------------------- Assistant Dean, Enrollment Management and External Affairs
MARK MONTEMAYOR ---------------------------------------------------- Interim Director, Undergraduate Studies
JAYMEE HAEFNER ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Director, Graduate Studies
BENJAMIN BRAND --------------------------- Chair, Division of Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology
MOLLY FILLMORE ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Chair, Division of Vocal Studies
STEVEN HARLOS ------------------------------------------------------------------ Chair, Division of Keyboard Studies
JOSEPH KLEIN ------------------------------------------------------------------ Chair, Division of Composition Studies
KIMBERLY COLE LUEVANO ----------------------------------------------- Chair, Division of Instrumental Studies
ROB PARTON ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chair, Division of Jazz Studies
SEAN POWELL ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chair, Division of Music Education
ANDREW TRACHSEL ----------------------------------------------- Chair, Division of Conducting and Ensembles
MATT HARDMAN ---------------------------------- Director, Communications, Marketing and Public Relations
AUSTIN MARTINEZ -------------------------------------------------------------- Acting Director, Recording Services
CAROL POLLARD -------------------------------------------------------------------- Director, Undergraduate Advising
JOEL WILEY ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Director, Admissions
DIANA COOLEY -------------------------------------- Administrative Coordinator, Divisions of Conducting and
Ensembles, Keyboard Studies and Vocal Studies
MATT HELLMAN -------------------------------------------------------- Program Design, Graphic Design Specialist
A Cappella Choir | UNT College of Music 15

SEE US ON STAGE AT THE
ROBINSON CENTER
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS
A Cappella Choir
03.02.22 • 11:30 AM • LITTLE ROCK, AR
music.unt.edu
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS
Choral Conducting
SYMPOSIUM
JULY 10-14, 2022
2022
CHORAL.MUSIC.UNT.EDU
ALLEN HIGHTOWER
Director of Choral Studies
Professor of Choral Studies
KRISTINA CASWELL
MACMULLEN
Associate Professor
of Choral Studies
JESSICA NÁPOLES
Professor of Choral
Music Education
BRIAN C. MURRAY
Symposium Coordinator
University of Wyoming
Assistant Professor
of Choral Activities