Spain Tour – English
University of Texas at Dallas Chamber Singers
Dr. Jonathan Palant, conductor
Artem Arutyunyan, piano
Repertoire to be selected from the following:
In the Beginning
Kyle Pederson
Cello Songs
Jake Runestad
Nathan Mills, cello
A Golden Day
Patrick Vu
I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired
Traditional Spiritual
arr. Stacey V. Gibbs
I Celebrate Myself
Michael John Trotta
A Prayer
Ken Burton
Precious Lord
Thomas A. Dorsey
arr. Arnold Sevier
Treat A Stranger Right
Moira Smiley
Alexander Lloyd Blake
Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel
African American Spiritual
arr. Aaron Dale
Olivia Foster, soprano
Sydne Ward, alto
Neal Gandhi, sermon
United
Michael Engelhardt
Forever Music
Mark Hayes
You Do Not Walk Alone
Elaine Hagenberg
Hands
Jocelyn Hagen
Milinda Nutalapati, soprano
Thien Pham, baritone
UT DALLAS CHAMBER SINGERS
The Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology at UT Dallas is a community of scholars, artists, and creative practitioners defined by their creativity, critical thinking, communication, and cross-cultural understanding.
Within a tier one research university context, our academic programs are grounded in the vital questions of the humanities. Our students learn to cultivate a deep understanding of different cultures and cultural differences — historically, geographically, and artistically. Our academic programs uphold the highest standards of excellence within each discipline and encourage transdisciplinary collaborations that craft original solutions to novel challenges.
The UT Dallas campus has opportunities for students to get involved in areas related to the arts, humanities, and technology. In addition, our campus is in the heart of the dynamic Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, providing access to a thriving art and culture scene.
Under the direction of Dr. Jonathan Palant, the UT Dallas Chamber Singers is the premier vocal ensemble on campus. It is an auditioned ensemble composed of outstanding undergraduate singers from across all academic majors. The choir performs regularly on campus and frequently collaborates with area high schools and nonprofit organizations. This tour marks the first time the UT Dallas Chamber Singers has embarked on an international concert tour.
CONDUCTOR
Jonathan Palant is Associate Dean of the Arts and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Texas at Dallas and is founder and conductor of both Credo, a 150-member community choir, and the Dallas Street Choir, a musical outlet for those affected by homelessness. In addition, Dr. Palant is Director of Music at Kessler Park United Methodist Church and is employed by the Dallas Independent School District to mentor middle and high school vocal music teachers.
Dr. Palant currently serves as president emeritus of the National Alliance for Music in Vulnerable Communities, Repertoire and Standards Chair for the Southwest American Choral Directors Association (SWACDA), and sits on the board of directors of the Intercollegiate Men’s Choruses. He has also served on the state board of the Michigan chapter of the American Choral Directors Association and Youth First Texas where he was founder and conductor of Dallas PUMP!, a choir serving at-risk youth.
In late 2017, the Dallas Morning News named Palant one of nine “Texan of the Year” finalists, and in 2016, Musical America named him one of their “Innovators of the Year” for establishing the Dallas Street Choir.
Both Palant’s book, Brothers, Sing On! Conducting the Tenor-Bass Choir, and The Jonathan Palant Choral Series are published by the Hal Leonard Corporation.
Dr. Palant holds degrees from Michigan State University, Temple University, and the University of Michigan.
PIANO
Russian-born pianist Artem Arutyunyan is a versatile artist, confident in various genres and styles. His repertoire ranges from early 18th century music to contemporary compositions, including several international and U.S. premieres. His festival appearances as a solo and chamber performer include The Holland Music Sessions, The Sarasota Music Festival and London Masterclasses.
In the United States, Mr. Arutyunyan has been heard in venues including Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, DiMenna Center for Classical Music, Dallas City Hall and Sarasota Opera House. He was featured in the concerts of Meadows Percussion Ensemble, SYZYGY contemporary music ensemble, Voices of Change and Music Matters at La Grua Center.
Pursuing his interest in ergonomically scaled piano keyboards, Artem studied with Dr. Carol Leone at SMU Meadows School of the Arts, receiving his Performer Diploma in 2016. His prior music education consists of degrees from Tchaikovsky State Conservatory and the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where his principal teachers were Arkady Sevidov and Evelyne Brancart, respectively. Artem serves as principal pianist with the Credo Community Choir of Dallas and is on faculty at The University of Texas at Dallas.
SOPRANO
Debopreeta Bhattacharya
Kimberley Dominguez
Olivia Foster
Milinda Nutalapati
Nili Bueckert Riemer
Nandini Singh
Maria Walker
ALTO
Hannah Bursley
Kara Curtis
Jay Miles
Harsha Sankaran
Lauryn Walker
Sydne Ward
TENOR
Andrew Alexander
Gerson Fuentes
Neal Gandhi
Max Grimm
Jimmy Harvin
Aaron Hu
Julian Paulino
BASS
Joel Augustine
Jonathan Haerr
Zayne Lumpkin
Nathan Mills
Thien Pham
Michael Ross
Jackson Tucker