2022 SWACDA Program - UNT A Cappella Choir

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