Sherman, Texas -- Two Austin College vocal ensembles, the A Cappella Choir and The Descant, will present three concerts in north and central Texas as part of their annual tour.

The choirs will perform:

• March 28 at First Presbyterian Church Rockwall (602 White Hills Drive, Rockwall)
• March 29 – 30 at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church (201 FM 1431, Marble Falls) 
• March 31, the final concert, will be at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church (7127 Bee Caves Road, Austin)

All concerts begin at 7 p.m. and are free of charge.

Music to be performed includes works by Hassler, Arensky, Mantyjarvi, and Gjeilo. Spirituals include arrangements by Undine Moore, Andre Thomas, William Dawson, and Erin Krummenacher ’12. Also included on the program will be several pieces inspired by non-Western choral traditions as well as a cappella pop from The Descant.

The first choir at Austin College was formed by Sherman music teacher, George Root in the 1910s. The Austin College A Cappella Choir was established in 1946 and modeled after collegiate choirs and glee clubs that became popular in the U.S. in the 20’s and 30‘s. The Choir performs a wide range of literature including music from lesser-known vocal traditions.  The A Cappella Choir is the primary musical touring ensemble of Austin College and is made up of undergraduate students studying in all fields, with many pursuing careers in music, medicine, law, education, and business. The A Cappella Choir has toured throughout the United States, Europe, the U.K., and Australia.

Director Dr. Wayne Crannell is Mosher Professor of Music at Austin College, where he has been Director of Choral & Vocal Music since 1995. Before coming to Austin College, he taught at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee and Simpson College in Iowa. Crannell has been an active soloist for four decades, having sung under and for such conductors as James Levine, Sir Georg Solti, Margaret Hillis, Robert Shaw, Lukas Foss, JoAnn Falletta, and Aaron Copland. He received his M.M. in Choral Conducting from UW-Milwaukee and his D.M.A. in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory.

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 an 11:1 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.