Featured Performer: New York Polyphony

Critically acclaimed for a “rich, natural sound that’s larger and more complex than the sum of its parts,” (NPR) and as “singers of superb musicianship and vocal allure” (The New Yorker), New York Polyphony is one of the foremost vocal chamber ensembles active today. Their innovative programming spans Gregorian chant to contemporary commissions, and their focus on familiar and rare works of the 12-17th centuries has helped bring early music to modern audiences.

Founded in 2006, New York Polyphony’s growing discography includes two GRAMMY-nominated albums, and many of their releases have topped the “best of” lists of The New Yorker, Gramophone, and The New York Times. BBC Music Magazine hailed And the sun darkened (2021, BIS) “imaginatively programmed” and “immaculately sung,” and Klassik Heute applauded New York Polyphony’s “flawlessly pure sound that amazes the listener.” Lamentationes (2019, BIS) was a finalist in the 2020 Gramophone Awards and praised by Classics Today as “perfect ensemble singing, ideally recorded.”

The quartet tours extensively, performing in some of the world's finest concert halls and participating in major festivals at home and abroad. Engagements have included Wigmore and Cadogan Halls (London), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Stavanger Kammermusikkfestival (Norway) in 2018 and 2023, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston) in 2017 and 2022, Heidelberger Frühling (Germany), and Early Music Vancouver. As of 2023, the quartet has performed in all but eight US states.

Other Performers

Missouri State University Men's Chorus
Established in 2014, the Missouri State University Men’s Chorus includes students from various majors within the university. This ensemble, open to freshmen through graduate students, performs regularly throughout the year both on and off-campus and rehearses twice per week. In 2016, the Men’s Chorus was selected for and performed at the Intercollegiate Men’s Choruses National Seminar at the University of Illinois and in 2018, the choir performed at the annual conference of the Missouri Music Educators Association. Recordings of the MSU Men’s Chorus can be found at youtube.com/@missouristatechoirs.
Montgomery Bell Academy
The Head of School Singers are Montgomery Bell Academy’s top choral ensemble. Students in this group have typically sung in all five choirs that are offered at MBA over the course of their education. Past members of this ensemble have performed at the 2020 ACDA Convention, Carnegie Hall, The Ryman Auditorium, The National A Cappella Convention, Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville Public Radio, and The Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
Oklahoma Baptist University
Founded in 1938 by Warren M. Angell, former dean of the College of Fine Arts, the Bison Glee Club is an auditioned group of the outstanding male musicians on the campus of Oklahoma Baptist University. The group has long been considered one of the premiere men's choruses in the Southwest and has toured extensively throughout the United States as well as in Canada, Europe and the Far East. Its annual season features a variety of performances including tour concerts, regular campus concerts, Homecoming Showcase, Hanging of the Green, chapel events, and numerous Oklahoma-area appearances. They have been featured as honor choirs for the Oklahoma Music Educators Conference and the Baptist Church Music Conference. The Bison Glee Club is under the direction of Dr. Stephen Sims, Associate Professor of Music.
Timberview High School Tenor-Bass Ensemble
The Timberview Tenor-Bass Ensemble is composed of tenors and basses from Mansfield Timberview High School, located in South Arlington. The Timberview Tenor-Bass Ensemble consists of 9th-12th grade students who have choral experience and show an advanced level of vocal technique, sight-reading skills, and performance practices. This group also learns elements of music theory. Students in this choir exhibit an elevated level of commitment and dedication to the choir due to the rehearsal schedule. Members of this ensemble made their Carnegie Hall debut March 17th, 2024 and have a performance planned for Spring 2026. They have performed throughout the DFW area and our nation’s national anthem at American Airlines Center for the Dallas Mavericks. Students from this ensemble traditionally lead the choir program with the highest GPA, as well as being involved in National Honor Society, theater, football, swim and dive, basketball, AVID, and many other campus activities while maintaining the standard of excellence.
UNI Varsity Glee Club
The Varsity Glee Club at the University of Northern Iowa is more than just a choir—it's a brotherhood. Bringing together tenors and basses from all walks of life without an audition, this group shares a love of singing and a commitment to creating something special together. Started in 1888, the Glee Club is among the active and cherished organizations at the University. Known for their rich harmonies and dynamic performances, the Glee Club has toured extensively nationally and internationally. Alumni stay deeply connected, and new members are always welcomed with open arms. For the Glee Clubbers, it’s about more than music; it’s about growing together, building lifelong friendships, and making a positive impact through the power of song. www.unigleeclub.com
Wylie East HS Varsity Tenor-Bass Chorus
Varsity Tenor-Bass Choir is made up of 80 ninth through twelfth grade singers and represent two of the three tenor-bass choirs on campus: A Cappella Tenor-Bass Choir and Cantus Tenor-Bass Choir. Students in Varsity Tenor-Bass Choir are well-rounded and active in both the school and community. Among this group are Solo & Ensemble award winners, All-Region & All-State Choir members, individual and district champions in academics, athletics, and fine arts, and participants in nearly every athletic event and organization on campus. This ensemble consistently receives the highest accolades for choral performance at regional and state contests.

About the Seminar

The University of Oklahoma School of Music and the OU Men’s Glee Club is proud to welcome the IMC: Tenor-Bass Choral Consortium National Seminar to our campus in Norman, Oklahoma March 6-8, 2025.

The OU MGC traces its origins to the earliest football games in the late 1890s when the group performed as the main event. Later, the group was brought into the School of Music as an academic ensemble in 1903. We continue to cultivate great choral music at OU and we are honored to partner with the IMC in 2025.

All concert sessions are open to the public free of charge, no tickets required. Registration is required for attendance at interest sessions and reading sessions.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to email Dr. David Howard at dhoward@ou.edu.

Schedule

Check back soon for more schedule details.

Register






Conference Location

Catlett Music Center
500 W Boyd St
Norman, OK 73019

Hotels

NOUN Hotel
542 South University Boulevard
Norman, Oklahoma 73069

Embassy Suites by Hilton
2501 Conference Drive
Norman, Oklahoma 73069

Dining

Near Noun Hotel / OU Campus

Campus Corner Dining Options

Near Embassy Suites Hotel

  • Redrock Canyon Grill - 1820 Legacy Park Dr
  • Chedders Scratch Kitchen - 1300 24th Ave NW
  • Hideaway Pizza - 1353 24th Ave NW
  • CAVA Mediterranean - 1651 24th Ave NW
  • Ranch Steakhouse - 2120 24th Ave NW
  • Torchy’s Tacos - 2050 24th Ave NW, Ste 130
  • Pei Wei - 1500 24th Ave NW
  • McAlister’s Deli - 1924 24th Ave NW, Ste H-1
  • La Madeleine - 1954 24th Ave NW

Contact Us

If you encounter any problems with the website, registration, or payment, please contact the webmaster Daryl Nagode at somweb@ou.edu.

For any other questions about the event, please contact Dr. David Howard at dhoward@ou.edu.

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