University of North Texas 
Studying Choral Conducting at UNT | Choral Conducting Courses | Application Information | Meet the Faculty | Meet the Cohort
STUDYING CHORAL CONDUCTING AT UNT
UNT's graduate choral conducting program is one of America's premier programs. Led by Allen Hightower, Director of Choral Studies, the program consists of practical and academic studies leading to the development of musical skills crucial to the success of the next generation of American choral conductors.
UNT choral conducting students are afforded annual opportunities to learn from leaders in the choral art from around the globe. Workshops and/or classes have been given by visiting artists, including:
- 2023-24 Conducting Masterclass on Brahms' Requiem with Anthony Blake Clarke, Director of Dallas Symphony Chorus, in residence with the Dallas Symphony Chorus.
- 2019-20 Conducting Masterclasses with Dr. Eric Nelson, Director of Choral Studies at Emory University and Artistic Director of the Atlanta Master Chorale; Don Neuen, UCLA Distinguished Professor of Conducting Emeritus; Dr. Jerry McCoy, UNT Regents Professor of Music Emeritus; and Dr. Joshua Habermann in residence with the Santa Fe Desert Chorale
- 2018-19 Conducting Masterclasses with Dr. Jerry McCoy, UNT Regents Professor of Music Emeritus; and Alejandro Gómez Guillén, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Assistant Conductor
GRADUATE CHORAL CONDUCTING COURSES
Conducting Lessons
MUAM 5533 / 6533
Marques L. A. Garrett and Allen Hightower teach weekly studio conducting lessons. Choral conducting majors will enroll in private conducting lessons each semester until they complete their requirements. Additionally, each Thursday afternoon from 3:00-3:50 PM is our weekly studio class, Conductors' Chorus. During this weekly studio class, graduate choral conductors have the opportunity to lead our paid chamber choir, reinforced by members of the choral conducting studio, as a lab for studying conducting and rehearsal techniques.
Advanced Choral Techniques
MUAG 5000
Taught by Allen Hightower, this course includes studies in defining the drama of choral music; defining a sound ideal; voice building for choirs; concert programming; dynamic formation in performance; developing interpretive analyses; rehearsal techniques and preparation; musical & poetic architecture; and contemporary trends in performance.
Choral Literature
MUAG 5810, 5811, 5812
The choral literature sequence, taught by Joshua Habermann, is divided into three courses: Choral Literature 1 (Renaissance/Baroque); Choral Literature 2 (Classical/Romantic); and Choral Literature 3 (20th Century).
Advanced Choral Conducting
MUAG 5800
Taught by Allen Hightower, this course includes: the continued development of appropriate physical gestures; listening skills related to conducting; fluency of movement language as it impacts musical outcomes/pedagogy of teaching conducting; teaching conducting in the private studio; and score analysis/period performance practice with specific attention to recitative conducting technique.
Conducting Recitals
MUGC 6951 / 6952 / 6953
Graduate choral conductors may accomplish their recitals in two ways: (1) composite cameo appearances as the assistant conductor of A Cappella, University Singers, Concert Choir, and Vox Aquilae; (2) complete recitals while serving as the conductor of Camerata or Chorale. The Choral Studies Handbook contains more detailed information regarding graduate conducting recital requirements and procedures.
Ensembles
The UNT Choral Program is comprised of nine ensembles. Find our ensembles page to learn about each choir, and see our performance calendar for upcoming choral concerts.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
APPLICATIONS
Application Materials: Apply online here. Once completed forms and all required materials have been received and evaluated,
the choral faculty will invite selected applicants to campus for an interview and
audition with one of our university choirs. If you have questions, please contact
Dr. Allen Hightower at Allen.Hightower@unt.edu. Applications are due by the first Monday in December.
11:30am - lunch with audition panel as available
1:00pm - DMA auditions
2:00pm - MM auditions
2:30pm - conducting lesson with Dr. Garrett
*The interview will include vocalizing and skills testing. Please bring an art song or aria to perform.
Your video should include rehearsal and performances recordings of your conducting, with the camera facing the conductor. Video submissions are to be a digital upload.
Because our on-campus choral conducting audition dates are January 29 and 30, 2025, and it takes several weeks for the application materials to clear the university, the college and finally get to us, you would be well served if your application packet got to us no later than December 1, 2024. Early November is preferred.
Go to the College of Music website to apply online. Be sure to include a video of your conducting (with camera facing the conductor) comprised of both rehearsal and performance.
Once we receive and evaluate your materials, we will make a determination about inviting you to campus for an audition and interview. We will do our best to notify you of an on-campus audition request at least a month before the audition date. The earlier we receive your materials, the earlier we can make this determination.
The student will conduct two pieces in the audition to be assigned by the Director of Choral Studies.
Marques L. A. Garrett, Associate Professor of Choral Studies
Jessica Nápoles, Professor of Music Education
