Roomful of Teeth to serve as 2016-17 artist-in-residence

Vocal Performing Ensemble "Roomful of Teeth"

What: A free performance by Roomful of Teeth, the Grammy-winning vocal ensemble and artist-in-residence at the University of North Texas for 2016-17.

When: 8 p.m. Oct. 17 (Monday)

Where: Paul Voertman Concert Hall, located in the Music Building at 415 Avenue C, Denton.

Cost: Free, but interested guests are asked to reserve their seats at http://www.thempac.com.

Parking: Free parking will be available in lots 4 and 26.

DENTON (UNT), Texas -- Roomful of Teeth, a Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble, will serve as the 2016-17 artist-in-residence for the University of North Texas.

Roomful of Teeth will perform a concert at 8 p.m. Oct. 17 (Monday) at Voertman Hall in the Music Building. The members will also work with students in the College of Music as part of their residency this fall and next spring. The concert is free, but interested guests are asked to reserve their seats at www.thempac.com.

The residency is sponsored by UNT's Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Institute for the Advancement of the Arts, the arm of UNT that promotes artistic and creative expression.

Roomful of Teeth is an eight-member ensemble that "mines the expressive potential of the human voice." The ensemble is known for incorporating indigenous vocal techniques from around the world to create unique harmonies. For this reason, the group often characterizes themselves as a "vocal band."

The ensemble won a Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance in 2013 for its debut album, Roomful of Teeth. Member Caroline Shaw won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2013 for her composition, Partita for 8 Voices, that was included on that album. Roomful of Teeth released its second album, Render, in 2015.

One of its members include UNT alumnus Cameron Beauchamp, who is excited about making new relationships with UNT students and faculty when the ensemble visits next month.

"With such an incredibly vast and diverse school of music, we'll have endless possibilities of collaboration," he said. "I can't wait for the ideas to start flowing."

Thann Scoggin, who earned his bachelor's in performance in 2004 and master's degree in library science in 2007, will also appear with the ensemble.

Warren Henry, professor of music education and senior associate dean for academic affairs, said Roomful of Teeth would have a significant impact on the College of Music and UNT for several reasons.

"Part of our mission in the College of Music is to provide experiences for students that enhance and enrich their degree requirements," Henry said. "Having Roomful of Teeth in residence means that our students can integrate with the members of the ensemble in ways that would not be possible with just a one-day visit."

The ensemble's leader, Brad Wells, will talk to students about entrepreneurship and promoting ideas – which aligns with UNT's new classes in career development and music entrepreneurship.

Roomful of Teeth will also work with students from the choral and vocal areas. Because the ensemble frequently commissions new works, the members will also interact with students from the Division of Composition.

The ensemble will return in April, at which time they will present a second concert in the Murchison Performing Arts Center.

Beauchamp said he's eager to be back in Denton and UNT.

"I am really looking forward to seeing how the school of music has changed, connecting with former professors and eating my way through lots of old favorite restaurants," he said.

Past IAA artists-in-residence have included screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga, composer Jake Heggie, visual and performance artist Nick Cave, sculptor and printmaker Kiki Smith, novelist Aleksandar Hemon and playwright Doug Wright.