BYU Men's & Women's Chorus & BYU Philharmonic Orchestra
Biography BYU Men's & Women's Chorus & BYU Philharmonic Orchestra
BYU Women's Chorus
The Women’s Chorus is a large group of select, versatile singers who perform a diverse repertoire extending from medieval and renaissance works to masterpieces of our own time. Folk music and other varied genres are included in the choir’s study and performances. The choir is well known for its beautiful, blended sound from pristine, quiet unison to the majesty of large textured sonorities. Sensitive musicianship and constant improvement are goals for each rehearsal and performance. An audition is required, and a two semester commitment is expected.
BYU Men's Chorus
The Brigham Young University Men’s Chorus is thought to be the largest collegiate male choral organization in the country. Founded in 1958, it has steadily grown to its present membership of 180 voices, with over 400 annually auditioning for the ensemble. As a result of its versatile literature and engaging performance style, the BYU Men’s Chorus has captured the admiration of audiences throughout the Western United States and beyond.
Each year the choir includes a diverse and unique representation of the university community. Choir members originate not only from the United States and Canada, but from countries throughout the world. Of the 180 members only a few are music majors with the remainder drawn from every college and department of the university. Over 2/3 of the chorus have served LDS missions throughout the world, and a large number are planning to serve after their 18th or 19th birthdays.
BYU Philharmonic Orchestra
The premier orchestra in the School of Music is made up almost entirely of music majors, both undergraduate and graduate students. Their mission is to perform the greatest masterpieces of the symphonic literature. This 98 member ensemble performs from 10 to 14 concerts each year, and tours regionally every other year, when the Chamber Orchestra is not touring. In addition to its concerts locally and regionally, the orchestra is featured in regular broadcasts on BYU-TV (BYU’s cable channel), and KBYU-TV and KBYU-FM, enabling audiences worldwide to enjoy the orchestra’s performances.
Past tours have taken the orchestra to Arizona, Nevada, California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Montana, Wyoming, and British Columbia.
Kory Katseanes is the Director of Orchestras in the School of Music, and conducts the Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestras.
