Brigham Young University Men's Chorus

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BYU Men's Chorus is the largest collegiate men's choir in the United States. With 180 auditioned members, the choir began more than 100 years ago as a small male glee club.[1]

History[edit]

The BYU Men's Chorus began in 1901 as Male Glee. In 1958, it became an official BYU class. In 1984, with Mack Wilberg's appointment as director, the choir had grown to be the largest collegiate male choir in the United States with 180 members.[2] Under Wilberg's direction, the choir was named one of the most outstanding and unique collegiate choirs in the United States by Choral Journal.[3] In 1995, they released their first album entitled Shout with Glory.[4] Two years later, the choir released another album Awake My Soul.[5] After Wilberg retired in 1999, Rosalind Hall replaced him as choir director. In 2005, Men's Chorus released a full-length album Praise Him, followed by a 2013 album entitled Set Apart which was released in response to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints's announcement to lower to age requirement for missionary service. This album was made free to download.[6][7] In 2020, Hall announced her retirement as director of the Men's Chorus.[8] In August 2020, Brent Wells replaced Hall as Men's Chorus director.[6]

Discography[edit]

  • Shout with Glory (1995)
  • Awake My Soul (1997)
  • Praise Him (2005)
  • Set Apart (2013)

References[edit]

  1. ^ Payne, Sara Elizabeth (March 4, 2005). "Showered with affection, nation's largest male collegiate choir hits the high notes". Daily Herald. Herald Communications. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  2. ^ "BYU Men's Chorus to Release Free Missionary Album". Meridian Magazine. April 3, 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  3. ^ Winters, Charlene (Summer 1999). "Wilberg Transposed to Tabernacle Choir". BYU Magazine. Brigham Young University. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  4. ^ Johnston, Jerry (November 15, 1995). "Robust Men's Chorus Rouses Audience". Deseret News. Deseret News Publishing Company. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  5. ^ Sheahan, Nicole (October 30, 2009). "Inside Mormon Music: CDs remember Wilberg's 16 years at BYU". Deseret News. Deseret News Publishing Company. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  6. ^ a b Bigelow, Whitney (April 7, 2020). "An 'impossible dream': Men's Chorus director retires after over 20 years". The Daily Universe. Brigham Young University. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  7. ^ Buchanan-Whitlock, Emmilie (April 24, 2013). "BYU's Men's Chorus releases missionary music album". Deseret News. Deseret News Publishing Company. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  8. ^ Merkley, Lisi (March 16, 2020). "BYU community adjusts to COVID-19 precautions". The Daily Universe. Brigham Young University. Retrieved 25 April 2020.