BYU Men's Chorus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The BYU Men's Chorus, one of the largest collegiate male choirs in the United States of America, originally started in 1901 at Brigham Young University (BYU) as "Male Glee". Anthon C. Lund directed the choir until the 1920s; then the choir came under the direction of Forence Jepperson Madsen and her husband, Franklin, with short periods under William F. Hanson and John R. Holliday. In 1955 it became an official class at BYU, and in 1958 it adopted the current name "Men's Chorus".
The choir did not become well known until the 1980s, when Mack Wilberg (now an associate director for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir) helped it gain a reputation for innovative sound and excellent performances. In 1999, Wilberg was replaced by esteemed choral director Rosalind Hall, a native of Wales.
The choir has made three recordings, has performed at the ACDA conventions, and performs frequently to sold-out audiences. Over 400 males audition for the choir yearly, with 180 to 230 of them chosen for the choir. The repertoire frequently includes Latin and classical pieces, folk classics from various countries, LDS music, and well-known American pieces. In September 2005 the choir released the CD, "Praise Him", with Rosalind Hall as director.
