Sherman, Texas — Austin College’s Music Department will present a Concert of Choral Music this Sunday, November 10, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. in Wynne Chapel, Clifford J. Grum Sanctuary. The concert will feature Austin College’s A Cappella Choir performing a wide variety of unaccompanied choral music from the 17th century to the present. Also performing at the concert will be The Descant, a five-voice treble a cappella group singing contemporary pieces. Both ensembles are directed by Austin College Director of Choral & Vocal Music, Dr. Wayne Crannell. The concert is free of charge and open to the public.
The Austin College A Cappella Choir was founded in 1946 and modeled after the a cappella collegiate choirs first founded in the 1910s and 20s. It is made up of students studying in all fields with the majority planning careers in medicine, law, education, technology, and business. Former Choir members are also professional performers, conductors, and music educators. The Choir has performed throughout the United States, Europe, and Australia.
Dr. Wayne Crannell, Associate Professor of Music at the College, is the Mildred S. Mosher Professor of Music, and has been Director of Choral & Vocal Music since 1995. Before coming to Austin College, Crannell taught at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Simpson College in Iowa. At Austin College, he directs the vocal ensembles and teaches courses in voice, vocal pedagogy, vocal and choral literature, conducting, and music appreciation.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 44 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.
