Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

Collegiate Singers is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1957 at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The ensemble is made up of undergraduate and graduate students from various academic disciplines who share a passion for choral music. The founding of Collegiate Singers was the brainchild of Maynard Klein, a graduate student in choral conducting at the University of Michigan. Klein had a vision of creating a choral ensemble that would showcase the talents of the university's students and bring classical music to the wider community. With the support of the university's music department, Klein recruited a group of singers and began rehearsing for the ensemble's first performance. The early years of Collegiate Singers were marked by a series of successful performances both on and off campus. The ensemble quickly gained a reputation for its high level of musicality and its ability to perform a wide range of choral repertoire. In 1960, Collegiate Singers was invited to perform at the Michigan Music Educators Association conference, which was a major milestone for the ensemble. Over the years, Collegiate Singers has been led by a number of talented conductors, including Maynard Klein, Thomas Hilbish, and Jerry Blackstone. Under their leadership, the ensemble has continued to grow and evolve, taking on increasingly challenging repertoire and expanding its reach beyond the university. One of the highlights of Collegiate Singers' history was its performance at the 1989 American Choral Directors Association national conference in San Antonio, Texas. The ensemble was one of only six choirs selected to perform at the conference, which was a major honor. Collegiate Singers received rave reviews for its performance, with critics praising the ensemble's precision, musicality, and emotional depth. In addition to its performances at conferences and festivals, Collegiate Singers has also toured extensively throughout the United States and abroad. The ensemble has performed in venues ranging from small churches to major concert halls, and has collaborated with a number of other musical groups and soloists. Collegiate Singers has also been the recipient of numerous awards and honors over the years. In 1976, the ensemble was awarded the Grand Prix at the International Choral Competition in Varna, Bulgaria, which was a major achievement. Collegiate Singers has also won several awards from the American Choral Directors Association, including the prestigious Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence in 2006. Today, Collegiate Singers continues to be a vibrant and active ensemble at the University of Michigan. The ensemble is known for its commitment to excellence in choral music, and for its ability to connect with audiences through its powerful and moving performances. With a rich history and a bright future ahead, Collegiate Singers is a true testament to the power of music to bring people together and inspire greatness.

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