Singing Statesmen
The Singing Statesmen, the Glee Club of the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, is an american male vocal ensemble composed of students from a wide array of academic backgrounds. The Singing Statesmen are one of seven vocal ensembles of the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, "Wisconsin's Singing University."
About the Group
The ensemble was established in 1966 by Morris D. Hayes, who sought to create a male choral ensemble to perform and revitalize the traditional fight songs and hymns of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Since the choir's founding, the ensemble has been directed by four conductors: Morris D. Hayes from 1966 to 1988; Bruce G. McInnes from 1988 to 1990; Gary R. Schwartzhoff from 1991 to 2016; Elizabeth Joosten from 2016 to 2018; and their newest director, Chris McGinley, who began directing in 2019.[1]
The ensemble is guided by its tradition and history as its creed "Once a Statesmen, Always a Statesmen" reflects. The ensemble performs a wide variety of repertoire, but is best known for their performances of German and Austrian pieces. The choir performs compositions of Anton Bruckner, Johann Strauss II, and Mozart annually at the University's Viennese Ball. The Singing Statesmen have also commissioned works by contemporary composers, including Timothy Takach, Z. Randall Stroope, James Mulholland and Jackson Berkey.
The history of The Singing Statesmen is rich with noted performances, both at home and abroad. The Statesmen performed at the 1983 and 2003 National Conventions of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). The Statesmen performed at the Intercollegiate Men's Choruses, Inc. (IMC) National Seminar in 1986, hosted the convention in 1996 and 2006, and performed at the 2016 IMC National Seminar at the University of Illinois, Urbana - Champaign. In 1994, The Statesmen performed for the Austrian National Day of Celebration at the Austrian Consulate in Chicago and at the 1995 Eastern Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Milwaukee. In 1998 and 2000, The Singing Statesmen performed at the ACDA Divisional Conventions. In 2003, The Statesmen performed at the ACDA National Convention in New York City. Additionally, the ensemble performed at the Wisconsin Music Educators Convention in 1998 and 2004. In 2006, the Statesmen toured to Rio de Janeiro. Over the 2009/2010 holiday season, the Statesmen toured to Buenos Aires, Argentina and Uruguay. Most recently, the Statesmen traveled abroad to Porto and Lisbon, Portugal, over the 2013/2014 holiday season.
The Statesmen have released nine recordings during their history including: 25th Anniversary; Musik; Volume³; 2002 European Tour; At the Ball; An American Journey; 2004 WMEA Convention; A Testament; and Take Up The Song. Take Up The Song is a collection of the choral works of James Quitman Mulholland, in collaboration with the UWEC Concert Choir and the Women's Concert Chorale.