Choral/Vocal Ensembles

Men's Chorus

Director: Jefferson Johnson | Course No: MUC 192, 003
Class schedule: TTh, 2:00-3:15 pm

Audition Requirements: Includes majors and non-majors, freshmen through seniors.
Join during open enrollment: MUC 192-003

The UK Men’s Chorus is an 80-voice ensemble composed of students who range from freshmen to graduate students. These young men represent a variety of musical backgrounds and academic disciplines. Begun in the Fall of 2002, the Men’s Chorus has grown in size and popularity each semester. The choir’s challenging and diverse repertoire includes literature that spans from Gregorian chant to music of the 21st century. Rehearsing only twice weekly, the Men’s Chorus maintains an active performing schedule throughout the state of Kentucky, touring each semester.

The Men’s Chorus has achieved several distinguished honors in recent years.  Most notably, the Men’s Chorus was selected to perform at the prestigious 2011 American Choral Directors Association National Conference and at the 2012 ACDA Southern Division Conference.  Both of these appearances earned standing ovations and national acclaim for the chorus.

In 2004 they were featured performers at the Kentucky Music Educators Association conference in Louisville, KY. In 2006 they were guest artists with the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra in a performance of Brahms’ “Alto Rhapsody” and that Spring they were the only Men’s Chorus in the country to be selected to perform at the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) National Convention in Salt Lake City. In the Fall of 2006 the Men’s Chorus was again honored by being the only Men’s Chorus in the United States to be featured at the inaugural convention of the National Collegiate Choral Organization (NCCO) in San Antonio, TX.

The Men’s Chorus is dedicated to promoting and celebrating male singing at all stages and for all ages. The group hosts an event each year called “Male Chorus Day” where hundreds of high school and middle school students come to campus and learn male chorus literature and techniques.

If you are interested in joining the UK Men’s Chorus, contact our director Dr. Jeff Johnson at jeff.johnson@uky.edu.

"The University of Kentucky Men's Chorus has been a unique and rewarding experience for me, both musically and socially. It's a great way to get acclimated to college life, and the many performance and travel opportunities are a great way to stay involved and further develop the passion we all share." -Andrew, Vocal Performance major

"Men's Chorus is an amazing opportunity for male students regardless of musical background or knowledge to come together and create music." -Austin, Choral Music Education and Spanish double major

"Dr. Johnson really does an incredible job of conducting.  These guys actually want to be here and make music.  Over my first year, some of the most memorable moments have come from all of these guys.  Men's Chorus is awesome!" -Bill, Biology major

ACDA 2011 National Convention Performance (iTunes)

ACDA Southern Division Conference 2012 Performance University of Kentucky Men's Chorus with Shorter University Chorale (iTunes)

Treble Choir

Course No.: MUC 192-002,  MUC 692-002 | Class Schedule: TR 2:00 pm to 3:15 pm
Open to all UK students by audition.
Join during open enrollment: MUC 192-002

Director: Lori Hetzel

About UKTC

The University of Kentucky Treble Choir (UKTC) includes singers who represent a variety of musical backgrounds and academic disciplines. Ranging from first year to graduate students, these singers share a love of music that challenges and empowers them. The choir’s inspiring and diverse repertoire emphasizes music by female artists while striving to perform works which gives voice to under-represented composers and poets.  

UKTC uplifts the power and beauty of the treble voice to create positive energy through a diverse community of strong singers. By supporting one another and performing works that reflect inner strength, UKTC offers repertoire to reflect social issues of today’s society while also sharing beauty and hope through artistic expression.

In addition to presenting concerts on campus, UKTC provides musical services to the community, regularly singing for local hospitals, retirement communities, and local/regional school groups. Dr. Hetzel’s thirty years of leadership inspired growth from a 30-member, traditional treble choir, to a 100+ group of diverse, passionate singers, with a heart for social change crafted through music.  

International Tours

The UK Treble Choir often travels internationally and performs in historical cathedrals such as Notre Dame Cathedral (Paris) and St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Vienna) in 2005; St. Peter Basilica (Rome) and San Marco Basilica (Florence) in 2009. The UKTC toured England, Ireland, and Wales in 2012 with performances at Canterbury Cathedral, Ely Cathedral, Bath Abby, and Evensong in St. Patrick’s (Dublin). In 2015, the UKTC toured Spain, with performances in Seville Cathedral, Granada, Toledo Cathedral, University of Cordoba, and Madrid. In summer of 2018, they took their fifth international tour to Budapest, Vienna, and Prague with performances in St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Mathias Church (Budapest), St. Stephens Cathedral (Vienna), St. Vitus Cathedral (Prague). Their sixth and most recent tour in 2023 to Italy and Greece included performances in St. Peter Basilica (Rome), Duomo of Salerno, and Lavrion, Greece. 

Award Winning Tradition

Additionally, the UKTC has achieved several distinguished honors including peer reviewed invitations to prestigious conferences. They have been invited to perform at the ACDA Southern Region Convention (Florida) in 2000, the Nafme Southern Division Convention (Louisville) in 2001, and the ACDA National Convention (New York) in 2003. In 2008, the choir was featured at both the ACDA Southern Region Conference (Louisville) and Nafme National Convention (Milwaukee). In 2010, the UKTC performed for Dr. Hetzel’s Lecture/Demonstration for the ACDA Southern Region Conference (Memphis). In 2013, the UKTC performed for Dr. Hetzel’s Lecture/Demonstration - “Unleashing the Power and Beauty of the Female Voice in a Choral Ensemble” – for the ACDA National Convention in Dallas, TX. In 2022, the UK Treble Choir was invited to sing at its fourth regional ACDA convention in Raleigh, NC and was announced as the "Gold Standard for Women's Choirs." In 2023, the UKTC performed at their third ACDA National Convention in Cincinnati.

Interviews with composers, individual projects with under-represented poets and activists, as well as deep conversations about the change they want to see in the world offer members of the UKTC transformational experiences. Though music is an important aspect of the group, it is the sense of community that creates the intrinsic fibers of this community of singers. The most unique thing about the Treble Choir is not our accomplishments. Rather it is the atmosphere of sisterhood among its members. Unlike many other collegiate choirs, the group is diverse with nearly equal numbers of music majors and non-majors as well as freshman through seniors. Many students argue that the amount of work put into the program does not constitute the one credit point they receive. With Dr. Hetzel’s encouragement, it is apparent that this fact does not matter. Each individual of this outstanding group of women unite with the same purpose: their passion for music.

If you are interested in joining Treble Choir, contact Dr. Hetzel via email - lhetzel@uky.edu or phone - 859-257-8202.

UK Treble Choir commission for ACDA, NC, Feb. 2022.

UK Treble Choir commission for ACDA Southern Region Convention, Raleigh, NC, Feb. 2022.

"It is truly an honor to stand in front of such talented, young women.  We make glorious music together and share special friendships." - Dr. Lori Hetzel

"My goal for each and every rehearsal is to have a 'goose bump' moment, almost to be able to freeze time to experience nothing but true beauty around us. These moments happen by creating sound ideals together, usually not by words spoken but by the beauty of the musical composition." - Dr. Lori Hetzel

"I am so glad we set up that meeting with you when we came to campus for the first time. We were all so impressed with you and your program. You were the deciding factor and we made the right decision. Any student you gets the opportunity to be under your tutelage or sing in one of your choirs is truly blessed." Parent of a senior Treble Choir member, 2018

"If music has this awesome power to unite a diverse group of girls across a campus of 30,000, who is to stop it from uniting a world that's torn apart by terrorism and ravaging wars?" – Raye Maggard, Music Education

"I love Dr. Hetzel's energy in rehearsal; it makes me love to sing even more than I already do." – Michelle Taylor, Music Education

"It's great being with a group of women singers because there is a different energy and power. Very rarely do you get that same feeling with mixed choirs. I wouldn't trade that feeling for the world." – Jennifer Nantz, Vocal Performance

Chorale

Director: Dr. Jefferson Johnson | Course No: MUC 174
Audition Requirements: Auditions are held at the beginning of each semester.
Join during open enrollment: MUC 174-001 (advanced SATB mixed choir)

"I feel strongly compelled to write to you after having witnessed Chorale's performance. As a relatively new teacher teaching in [an] at-risk school, I have been struggling with feeling disconnected from music-making. I have not made an emotional connection to music in quite some time because I feel as though I simply have nothing left to give at the end of the day. In light of that, Chorale's performance was like a wake up call. The entire set was beautifully and artfully done, of course, but what spoke to me - what brought tears to my eyes - was Indodana. I cannot tell you the last time that music resonated with me so strongly as to bring forth physical tears. Chorale's performance restored my soul and helped to renew my faith in what I do every day. So powerful. So wonderful. Thank you for making music." —High School Choir Director

The University of Kentucky Chorale fosters excellence in music, service, and comradeship. We strive to blend our diverse voices into one choir that achieves the highest level of professionalism and musicianship. Through our unparalleled discipline and dedication, we proudly extend our reach beyond the boundaries of our campus and into our community, our country, and our world.

The UK Chorale is the premier mixed choral ensemble at the University of Kentucky. It consists mostly of upperclassmen and graduate students. While the majority of singers are music majors, there are a number of other academic disciplines represented in this group. The Chorale prides itself in performing a wide variety of choral literature from Renaissance to 21st Century. The UK Chorale has been fortunate enough to work with many talented composers, conductors and performers. Their most recent experience included meeting and working with composer Stacey V. Gibbs, and with Ivo Antognini the preceding summer during their international trip to Italy. Prior to that they were invited to sing with the Boston Pops in a massive collaborative concert, singing everything from Bohemian Rhapsody to the You're a Grand Old Flag, and they were led by the illustrious Keith Lockhart. In 2010, the UK Chorale was given the opportunity to perform in what seemed like a once in a lifetime event: the FEI World Equestrian Games. During the rehearsal period, they met many celebrated performers. They worked closely with opera greats Denyce Graves and Cynthia Lawrence, classical musician Ronan Tynan and country singer Wynonna Judd, just to name a few. Chorale has received regional and national awards, and has toured extensively with recent performances in Italy and Switzerland, France (Cathedral of Notre Dame, Chartres Cathedral, American Cathedral in Paris, and La Madeleine Church; Washington, D.C. (Kennedy Center); the Bahamas (private performance in the Presidential Palace); and New York City (Carnegie Hall). They have collaborated with numerous artists including The King's Singers, violinist Mark O'Connor, the Boston Pops Orchestra, and tenor Ronan Tynan. For years, the choirs at the University of Kentucky have made a commitment to acts of service within the Lexington area. During the holiday season, members of the Chorale carol at the Markey Cancer Center and the UK Children's Hospital. Each member takes great honor in serving and inspiring the community.

Choristers

Director: Dr. Elizabeth L. Wilson, Conductor
Course No: MUC 192-001, MUC 692-001
Audition Requirements: Auditions are held at the beginning of each semester.
Join during open enrollment: MUC 192-001 (SATB mixed choir)

UK Choristers is the oldest performing organization on campus. The Choristers were recently a featured performing choir for both the 2021 and 2022 conferences of the Kentucky Music Educators Association. Filled with gifted singers representing a wide variety of majors, this 90-voice mixed choir specializes in repertoire of all periods and styles, both a cappella and accompanied, frequently performing on and off campus, and touring throughout the region. Their annual "Night On Broadway" performance is a highlight of the UK Choirs season. Choristers feels like a family to many of its singers, who choose to return year after year to this ensemble.

acoUstiKats

The acoUstiKats are a select a cappella ensemble of 16 voices from the Men’s Chorus. They perform numerous concerts each semester for university, church, and community functions as well as at every Men’s Chorus concert. Specializing in doo-wop and a cappella pop styles, they have recorded two CD’s and are one of the university’s most visible ensembles. These dedicated students have performed at dozens of prestigious events on campus and throughout the state of Kentucky. In 2007 the acoUstiKats were featured at the Kentucky Derby Gala celebration at the Governor’s Mansion, and in 2006 they were selected to perform at the Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) state conference. They also frequently perform at elementary and middle schools throughout Kentucky. These young men commonly use their musical gifts to make our community a better place to live.

Blue Note

Blue Note is the University of Kentucky Choirs' newest a cappella group and is open to all UK Choirs members. The group appears every year at UK's special evening of a cappella, After Dark, and are featured during the annual Collage performances.

Paws & Listen

The University of Kentucky Paws and Listen are an a cappella singing group of 16 women auditioned from the Treble Choir.  They perform pop music as well as a mix of doo-wop, vocal jazz, and show tunes. The ensemble is coached by undergraduate music education majors and advised by Dr. Lori Hetzel, Associate Director of Choirs/Choral Music Education. This group is highly esteemed both on and off campus. They perform for numerous prestigious events throughout the year and are often featured at high profile events at the home of the UK President. The group consists of both music majors and majors from across many disciplines. The women must be academically astute as they also participate in one or more of the other choral ensembles at the University.