Choirs | WTAMU

About the Choir Program

The foremost mission within the West Texas A&M University choral program is to create an environment where every participant is equally vital to the collaborative art of making choral music. A high standard of performance is expected, but learning is the main objective. Auditions for all choirs are held each semester.

Under the direction of Dr. Sean Pullen, Director of Choral Activities, there are three choirs within the West Texas A&M University choral program; the Chorale, The Collegiate Choir and the Chamber Singers. All three choirs perform five to six concerts per year. Nearly every semester, the choirs perform in collaboration with the esteemed WT Symphony. In past years, they have performed master works such as Mozart’s Requiem in D minor, Brahms’s Ein deutches Requiem, Verdi’s Requiem, Orff’s Carmina Burana, and Vaughan Williams’s Dona nobis pacem. The collaboration between the Chorale and the Symphony has also produced Music of the Christmas Season, which is broadcasted on PBS and CBS annually.

Dr. Cloyce Kuhnert, Professor of Voice, directs the fourth choral ensemble known as Sforzando. This small group of dedicated singers has unique opportunities to sing music at special events, concerts, and meetings. The repertoire branches out from purely classical to include pop music. All age and experience levels are welcome to audition.

Contact Information

Sean Pullen, Director of Choral Activities - spullen@wtamu.edu
Cloyce Kuhnert, Director of Sforzando - ckuhnert@wtamu.edu

Meet Our Choirs

Chorale

The West Texas A&M University Chorale is the flagship choral ensemble with an auditioned membership, which ranges from forty to fifty students annually. The group is widely known throughout Texas and the United States for its high standard of performance. It is comprised of a diverse representation of the student body throughout the campus and is open to all majors. On top of the usual calendar of events, the Chorale tours annually in the spring semesters.

Collegiate Choir

The Collegiate Choir is a large mixed choir, similar to the Chorale. Students of any major may audition. This group often performs separately or alongside the WT Chorale and participates in the collaborative concerts with the WTAMU Symphony Orchestra.

Chamber Singers

The Chamber Singers is a small group of singers which focuses on music primarily meant for smaller ensembles. The repertoire for this group varies in style from formal to informal. The Chamber Singers often perform their own concerts, including the annual Chamber Singers Christmas concert.

Sforzando

This small singing group serves the School of Music, the university, and the community by performing at special events, meetings, and conferences. Repertoire ranges from popular to light classical. The group includes, but is not limited to, music majors. All age levels and experiences are welcome. Entrance into the group is by audition. Contact Dr. Kuhnert for more info: 806-651-2856.

Meet Our Directors

Dr. Sean Pullen

Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities

Office: Harrington Fine Arts Complex, Room 216
Email: spullen@wtamu.edu
Phone: 806-651-2846

Teaching and Related Service

Dr. Pullen conducts the Chorale, the Collegiate Choir, and the Chambers Singers. He also teaches graduate choral conducting, undergraduate conducting, secondary methods, and supervises student teaching.

Research and Creative Activity

Dr. Pullen has directed choirs on the high school and university levels. His choirs have been recognized nationally performing for the American Choral Directors Association national conventions twice and for the Texas Music Educators Association conventions on four occasions. Most recently in 2016, the West Texas A&M University Chorale performed for the Texas Music Educators Association convention. The WTAMU choirs give six to seven concerts per year, often collaborating with the West Texas A&M University Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Pullen is frequently called upon to clinic region choirs throughout the state. He serves often as an adjudicator for UIL contests in Texas and music festivals across the country. Dr. Pullen has also composed various choral works and arrangements.

Dr. Cloyce Kuhnert

Professor of Voice

Office: Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex, Room 212
Email: ckuhnert@wtamu.edu
Phone: 806-651-2856

Professional Profile

Dr. Cloyce Kuhnert joined the WTAMU faculty in 1993. She is a professor in voice and also directs opera workshop and the vocal group Sforzando. She is a mezzo soprano and completed her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in vocal performance at WTAMU. She earned her Doctorate of Musical Arts in vocal performance at the University of North Texas. Her training background includes work with Royal Brantley, Elsa Porter, Pattye Johnston, Harold Heiberg, Jeanine Crader, Linda Di Fiore and Mary Jane Johnson. She also has worked with such conductors as Rene Claussen, Robert Shaw, Anshel Brusilow, James Setapen and Stephen Dubberly.

Research and Creative Activity

Kuhnert's research and creative activity lies in the creation and performance of operatic and musical roles as well as concerts and recitals.

Teaching and Related Service

Kuhnert teaches applied voice lessons, directs Sforzando and teaches English and Italian diction. She also plans to teach a German grammar class for music majors in the coming semesters. Kuhnert serves as the choir director at First Presbyterian Church in Canyon. She holds membership in National Association of Teachers of Singing, Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Chi honor societies and Pi Kappa Lambda music honor society. She is the district director of South Central 3 District of Mu Phi Epsilon and was inducted into the Palo Duro High School Hall of Fame.