Page 31 - CJJan25

2025 ACDA National Conference March 18-22, 2025 Dallas, Texas

v
t E
en
ts
C
onc
er
ack
,
ange T
r
B
acks
)
oth T
r
P
urple T
Concert Events (Purple Track, Orange Track, Both Tracks)
(
r
O
r
ack
,
award shows, including the Latin Grammys, and have Music at Luther College, where he served as conductor
been featured at various conferences and halls around of the renowned Nordic Choir. From 2000 to 2010 he
the country. Ellis travels as a soloist and alto with the was the director of choral activities at Sam Houston
Jason Max Ferdinand Singers. She also serves as the State University. Hightower serves at Stonebriar Com-
World Musics & Cultures Coordinator for Southern munity Church in Frisco, Texas.
ACDA and is the MAS 2025 Teacher of the Year.
Concert Session E
University of North Texas
A Cappella Choir Friday 10:15 am - 12:15 pm
Meyerson Symphony Center
Friday 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Winspear Opera House
Linn-Mar High School
Chamber Singers

The University of North Texas A Cappella Choir
is the premier ensemble of the UNT Choral Stud-
ies program comprising nine choirs. The A Cappella
Choir has had a distinguished history of conductors
that include Wilfred Bain, Frank McKinley, Hal Gib-
bons, Mel Ivey, Jerry McCoy, and Allen Hightower.
The A Cappella Choir frequently performs at regional,
national, and international conferences. Engagements
include Southwest ACDA (2022), TMEA (2020), and Chamber Singers is the forty-two-voice advanced
National ACDA (1999, 2005, 2013, and 2021). A Cap- mixed choir from Linn-Mar High School in Marion,
pella Choir serves as the core of the UNT Grand Cho- IA. This ensemble is one of seven total curricular
rus, performing major choral-orchestral repertoire. choirs that serve the 400 students enrolled in choir at
Linn-Mar. Over 750 students are enrolled in at least
Allen Hightower is the director of choral one of sixteen ensembles offered in the choir, band,
studies at the University of North Texas, and orchestra departments. Chamber Singers focuses
where he leads the master’s and doctoral on exposing audiences to a rich and diverse repertoire
programs in choral conducting and con- of styles, stories, and experiences. The choir enjoys ex-
ducts the A Cappella Choir, Vox Aquilae, periencing new and emerging works from composers
and Grand Chorus. Prior to his appointment at UNT, all over the globe in addition to classic repertoire from
Hightower held the Weston Noble Endowed Chair in the renaissance to the twentieth century.

CHORAL JOURNAL January 2025 Volume 65 Number 5 29