University Choir

Please see CourseBook for the syllabus specific to your term.
(General information provided below may not agree with the syllabus for your specific semester).

Course Description

University Choir is a nonauditioned musical ensemble open to all students at any level of study and experience. No prior experience in choir is required. Sight-singing ability and a good ear are preferred, but not required.

Additional rehearsals – those not taking place during normal class hours – will be announced well in advance. There may be evening rehearsals during the weeks prior to performances.

Concert attire is SOLID BLACK. Men in black suits (with jacket) with black shirts, black shoes, solid black long ties. Women in black dress (or formal top and bottom) ¾ length or longer sleeve required, below the knee dress or floor length pants, black hose and black dress shoes. Closed-toed shoes are preferred. We want to your see face, neck, and wrists only. No bling.

University Publicity

Student images will be used for publicity purposes online and in print. If you do not wish to have your picture and/or performance audio made available, please let me know by the end of the first week of classes.

Attendance Policy

This is a performance-based course. Attendance at all performances and rehearsals is mandatory. Concerts take the place of a final examination. Please arrange your commitments (class conflicts, work, vacations, etc.) around the dates listed in the syllabus specific to the term you are in University Choir (see CourseBook). Attendance is required – it is that simple.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

Students will demonstrate progress toward mastery of musical notation in choral music. Students will demonstrate effective/proper vocal technique within a choral setting. Students will demonstrate understanding of the stylistic elements of musical interpretation and employ them in their performance of performed repertoire.

Required Textbooks and Materials

You will need a solid black, 3-ring binder with pockets for this class. Please purchase it by the end of the first week of classes. A sharpened pencil should be brought and used at every rehearsal.

Assignments & Academic Calendar

This is a performance-based course. Singer attendance at both rehearsals and concerts is mandatory and replaces all exams and assignments. No exceptions.

Dr. 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 Credo, a 115-member community choir, and the Dallas Street Choir, a musical outlet for those experiencing homelessness and disadvantage. 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 made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2016 conducting renowned artists Frederica von Stade, Harolyn Blackwell, Jake Heggie, and Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz.

From 2007-2011, he served as artistic director of Dallas’ Turtle Creek Chorale. Prior to that, Palant held collegiate teaching positions at Western Kentucky University and Madonna University, Livonia, Michigan. He taught secondary choral music at University School, an all-boys independent school in Cleveland, Ohio, and San Pasqual High School in Escondido, California.

Dr. Palant currently serves as president of the National Alliance for Music in Vulnerable Communities 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.

Dr. Palant holds degrees from Michigan State University, Temple University and the University of Michigan.

Both Palant’s book, Brothers, Sing On! Conducting the Tenor-Bass Choir and Brothers, Sing On! The Jonathan Palant Choral Series are published by Hal Leonard Co.