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2024 ACDA Southwestern Region Conference February 27 - March 2, 2024 Denver, Colorado

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Wichita State University The Woodlands High School
Concert Chorale Chamber Choir

The Wichita State University Concert Chorale is TWHS Choir enjoys a rich tradition of choral excel-
the premier choral ensemble at Wichita State Universi- lence. The Chamber Choir is a small, highly selective
ty. Chorale is a highly-selective, auditioned choir open ensemble comprising dedicated choir students. This
to all WSU students, regardless of major, who desire a choir’s main objective is to prepare and perform mu-
rigorous, quality choral experience. They cultivate an sic from all musical time periods that are suitable for
atmosphere of collegiality where lasting memories and a Chamber Choir. In addition to their membership in
musical experiences can be gained through high artistic the Chamber Choir, these students are also members
standards and the pursuit of excellence. Chorale per- of our Varsity Choirs. They have won top awards at
forms of a wide variety of repertoire from the Renais- festivals throughout Texas and performed at TMEA in
sance through the twenty-first century. 2020.

Ryan Beeken serves as director of cho- Patrick Newcomb has been a high school
ral activities at Wichita State University, choir director since 2005. In 2010 he
where he conducts the Concert Chorale came to The Woodlands High School as
and Madrigal Singers and teaches gradu- the assistant choir director and became
ate and undergraduate choral conducting the head choir director in 2015. New-
and literature. He received bachelor’s degrees in music comb is also a proud alumnus of The Woodlands High
education and vocal performance from Drake Univer- School and is humbled to be at the helm of the choir
sity and graduate degrees from Michigan State Univer- program that had such a positive impact on his life as
sity. Beeken’s choirs have performed at state, regional, a high school student. He earned a BME and an MM
and national ACDA conferences and for state and in choral conducting from Sam Houston State Uni-
regional NAfME. Prior to his appointment at WSU, versity. Choirs at TWHS under Newcomb’s direction
Beeken served as director of choral studies at Indiana have earned consistent superior ratings at UIL Con-
University of Pennsylvania, taught at Michigan State cert and Sightreading along with best in class/overall
University, and taught vocal music for sixteen years in outstanding awards at various choral festivals. In 2022
Iowa. he received the TCDA Choral Director of Distinction
Award.

110 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2024 Volume 64 Number 5