School of Music
Welcome to MTSU Choirs!
With three choirs and an opera program at Middle Tennessee State University, we offer a wide range of repertoire and musical experiences for singers of all levels. Our choral groups are open to all MTSU students.
Each of the MTSU choirs performs two concerts per semester, both on-campus and off-campus. The annual Joys of the Seasons concert features our Soprano/Alto and Tenor/Bass Chorales. Our Schola Cantorum is an auditioned ensemble that presents choral literature from varied styles, from a cappella to symphonic. Recent major work performances have included Orff’s Carmina Burana, Verdi’s Requiem, and the Choral Finale to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.
| Dr. Matt Taylor Director, Schola Cantorum, Tenor/Bass Chorales Matt.T.Taylor@mtsu.edu | Mrs. Angela Tipps Director, Soprano/Alto Chorales Angela.Tipps@mtsu.edu |
| Dr. Will Perkins Director, Opera Theater William.Perkins@mtsu.edu |
Schola Cantorum
Participation in the Schola Cantorum is by audition only. It is designed primarily for upper-division vocal majors and graduate students. Repertoire includes choral works from the Renaissance to the present. This group is also a touring choral ensemble. Formal Concert attire is required. For more information, contact Dr. Matt Taylor at Matt.T.Taylor@mtsu.edu
MTSU Schola Cantorum performances on YouTube
Soprano/Alto Chorale
The SOAL ensemble is made up of some of the university’s most talented treble voices. Usually half of the singers are music majors, while the others represent many academic disciplines—from aerospace to agribusiness. SOAL performs a variety of styles of music, from major works for treble voices to folk songs and Broadway selections. They have performed for the Southern Division Conference of the American Choral Directors Association, the Tennessee Music Education Association, and with the Nashville Symphony at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. For more information, contact conductor Angela.Tipps@mtsu.edu.
Tenor/Bass Chorale
The TEBA Chorale is made up of music majors and minors, musical theatre minors, and students from all disciplines across the university—from biochemistry to mechatronics. They perform two concerts per semester and sing a variety of styles of music. Re-established in October 2019, they were featured at the 2020 Williamson County Men’s Choral Festival. For more information, contact conductor Dr. Matt Taylor at Matt.T.Taylor@mtsu.edu.
Opera Theater
The Opera Theater is the preparation and public performance of opera and/or musical theater, either a complete work or a program of scenes from various opera and/or musical theater pieces. The type of staged production performed in any given semester is contingent upon the make-up of the students enrolled in Opera Theater. Technical (use of stage make-up, etc.) and performing aspects of opera and musical theater productions are studied. Attention is paid to helping Opera Theater students develop acting as well as musical skills as they relate to performing opera and/or musical theater. Admission to Opera Theater is by audition only. For more information, contact director Will.Perkins@mtsu.edu.
