The Singing Statesmen
Encyclopedia
The Singing Statesmen, the Glee Club
of the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, is a male vocal ensemble composed of students from a wide array of academic backgrounds. The Singing Statesmen are one of seven vocal ensembles of the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, "Wisconsin's Singing University."
The ensemble was established in 1966 by Morris D. Hayes, who sought to create a male choral ensemble to perform and revitalize the traditional fight songs and hymns of the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. Since the choir's founding, the ensemble has been directed by three conductors: Morris D. Hayes from 1966 to 1988; Bruce G. McInnes from 1988 to 1990; and Gary R. Schwartzhoff from 1991 to present.
The ensemble is guided by its tradition and history as its creed "Once a Statesmen, Always a Statesmen" reflects. The ensemble performs a wide variety of repertoire, but is best known for their performances of German and Austrian pieces. The choir performs compositions of Anton Bruckner
, Johann Strauss II
, and Mozart annually at the University's Viennese Ball. The Singing Statesmen have also commissioned works by contemporary composers, including Z. Randall Stroope, James Mulholland and Jackson Berkey
.
The history of The Singing Statesmen is rich with noted performances, both at home and abroad. The Statesmen performed at the 1983 and 2003 National Conventions of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). The Statesmen hosted the Intercollegiate Men's Choruses, Inc. (IMC) National Seminar in 1996 and 2006. In 1994, The Statesmen performed for the Austrian National Day of Celebration at the Austrian Consulate in Chicago and at the 1995 Eastern Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Milwaukee. In 1998 and 2000, The Singing Statesmen performed at the ACDA Divisional Conventions. In 2003, The Statesmen performed at the ACDA National Convention in New York City. Additionally, the ensemble performed at the Wisconsin Music Educators Convention in 1998 and 2004. In 2006, the Statesmen toured to Rio de Janeiro. Over the 2009/2010 holiday season, the Statesmen completed their most recent international tour to Buenos Aires, Argentina and Uruguay.
The Statesmen have released nine recordings during their history including: 25th Anniversary; Musik; Volume³; 2002 European Tour; At the Ball; An American Journey; 2004 WMEA Convention; A Testament; and Take Up The Song. Take Up The Song is a collection of the choral works of James Quitman Mulholland, in collaboration with the UWEC Concert Choir and the Women's Concert Chorale.
Glee club
A glee club is a musical group or choir group, historically of male voices but also of female or mixed voices, which traditionally specializes in the singing of short songs—glees—by trios or quartets. In the late 19th Century it was very popular in most schools and was made a tradition...
of the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, is a male vocal ensemble composed of students from a wide array of academic backgrounds. The Singing Statesmen are one of seven vocal ensembles of the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, "Wisconsin's Singing University."
The ensemble was established in 1966 by Morris D. Hayes, who sought to create a male choral ensemble to perform and revitalize the traditional fight songs and hymns of the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. Since the choir's founding, the ensemble has been directed by three conductors: Morris D. Hayes from 1966 to 1988; Bruce G. McInnes from 1988 to 1990; and Gary R. Schwartzhoff from 1991 to present.
The ensemble is guided by its tradition and history as its creed "Once a Statesmen, Always a Statesmen" reflects. The ensemble performs a wide variety of repertoire, but is best known for their performances of German and Austrian pieces. The choir performs compositions of Anton Bruckner
Anton Bruckner
Anton Bruckner was an Austrian composer known for his symphonies, masses, and motets. The first are considered emblematic of the final stage of Austro-German Romanticism because of their rich harmonic language, complex polyphony, and considerable length...
, Johann Strauss II
Johann Strauss II
Johann Strauss II , also known as Johann Baptist Strauss or Johann Strauss, Jr., the Younger, or the Son , was an Austrian composer of light music, particularly dance music and operettas. He composed over 500 waltzes, polkas, quadrilles, and other types of dance music, as well as several operettas...
, and Mozart annually at the University's Viennese Ball. The Singing Statesmen have also commissioned works by contemporary composers, including Z. Randall Stroope, James Mulholland and Jackson Berkey
Jackson Berkey
Jackson Berkey is an American composer, pianist and singer, best known for his work with Mannheim Steamroller, which he co-founded with Chip Davis in 1974.-Early life and education:...
.
The history of The Singing Statesmen is rich with noted performances, both at home and abroad. The Statesmen performed at the 1983 and 2003 National Conventions of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). The Statesmen hosted the Intercollegiate Men's Choruses, Inc. (IMC) National Seminar in 1996 and 2006. In 1994, The Statesmen performed for the Austrian National Day of Celebration at the Austrian Consulate in Chicago and at the 1995 Eastern Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Milwaukee. In 1998 and 2000, The Singing Statesmen performed at the ACDA Divisional Conventions. In 2003, The Statesmen performed at the ACDA National Convention in New York City. Additionally, the ensemble performed at the Wisconsin Music Educators Convention in 1998 and 2004. In 2006, the Statesmen toured to Rio de Janeiro. Over the 2009/2010 holiday season, the Statesmen completed their most recent international tour to Buenos Aires, Argentina and Uruguay.
The Statesmen have released nine recordings during their history including: 25th Anniversary; Musik; Volume³; 2002 European Tour; At the Ball; An American Journey; 2004 WMEA Convention; A Testament; and Take Up The Song. Take Up The Song is a collection of the choral works of James Quitman Mulholland, in collaboration with the UWEC Concert Choir and the Women's Concert Chorale.