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 History of The Singing Statesmen
The Singing Statesmen from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire are celebrating their 44th season in 2009-2010 as one of the premier university male choruses in the United States of America. The ensemble was established in 1966 by Morris D. Hayes, who sought to create an outstanding choral ensemble for male voices. The ensemble has been directed by three conductors: Morris D. Hayes from 1966 to 1988; Bruce G. McInnes from 1988 to 1990; and Gary R. Schwartzhoff from 1991 to present. The Singing Statesmen is one of six choral ensembles on the UW-Eau Claire campus recognized as “Wisconsin’s Singing University.”
The history of The Singing Statesmen is rich with noted performances, both at home and abroad. The Statesmen performed at the 2008 national convention of Music Educators National Conference and at the 2003 and 1983 national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). The Statesmen hosted the Intercollegiate Men’s Choruses, Inc. National Seminar in 2006 and 1996. 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 2008, 2000 and1998, The Singing Statesmen performed at the ACDA Divisional Conventions. Additionally, the ensemble performed at the Wisconsin Music Educators Convention in 1998 and 2004. In 2008-2009, The Statesmen recorded a compact disc featuring the music of James Mulholland.
The Statesmen have released eight recordings during their history including: 25th Anniversary; Musik; Volume ³; 2002 European Tour; At The Ball; An American Journey; 2004 WMEA Convention and A Testament.
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The Singing Statesmen represent diverse academic disciplines with a common respect and admiration for choral music. The creed that is upheld by the membership is “Once a Statesmen, always a Statesmen!” The Singing Statesmen are proud of their tradition of performing choral music representing repertoire from the Renaissance through the Contemporary Period.
The Singing Statesmen have represented UW-Eau Claire on five international concert tours in 1980, 1990, 1996, 2002 and 2006. The Statesmen toured Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in December 2005.
The Statesmen performed at Corcovado, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, December 2005.
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The Singing Statesmen performed a UW-Eau Claire Alumni Association Concert in the Registry Room of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum.
The Singing Statesmen performed at the
Karlskirche in Vienna, Austria, 2002.
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The Singing Statesmen in St.Peter's Square at the Vatican, Rome, 2002.
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The Statesmen have released eight compact discs during their history.
• 25th Anniversary was released in 1993 featured repertoire from throughout the ensemble’s first 25 years.
• Musik was released in 1996.
• Volume ³ was released in 1998 during the Thirtieth Anniversary Celebration.
• 2002 European Tour was released in 2002
• At the Ball was released in 2003 as a musical tribute to the UW-Eau Claire Viennese Ball.
• An American Journey was released in 2004 as a musical salute to the United States of America.
• 2004 WMEA Convention was released in 2004
• A Testament was released in 2006
CD Order Form
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Gary R. Schwartzhoff, Conductor
Gary R. Schwartzhoff is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where he conducts Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, The Singing Statesmen and teaches conducting. Schwartzhoff received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Central College in Pella, Iowa and a Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa. A recipient of the Helen Kemper Doctoral Fellowship Award, he received a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Conducting at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri, where he studied conducting with Dr. Eph Ehly. |
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Schwartzhoff has been active throughout his professional career in the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) where he served as President of the North Central Division from 1992-94. After previously serving at the state, divisional and national levels of the ACDA Repertoire and Standards Committee, Schwartzhoff was named the Male Chorus Chair for the state of Wisconsin for 2007-2008. In 2007 the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association (WCDA) named Schwartzhoff the Outstanding Church Musician in the state of Wisconsin. During his career, Schwartzhoff has presented choirs on twenty-two conventions before the state, divisional and national levels of ACDA and MENC. In 2008 he presented the Singing Statesmen at the MENC National Convention and at the ACDA North Central Divisional Convention, as well as, the Master Singers at the WCDA State Convention. In February 2009 Schwartzhoff conducted the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Choral Festival in Washington, D.C.
Schwartzhoff is the artistic director and conductor for The Master Singers, a community chamber ensemble with membership from throughout the Greater Chippewa Valley. He serves as Director of Music at the First Congregational Church in Eau Claire, where he conducts the Chancel Choir. Schwartzhoff has served as guest conductor and adjudicator for numerous choral festivals throughout the United States and Canada. Gary is married to Nancy Schwartzhoff and they have two daughters, Jenifer Morgan (Jerry), and Rebecca Johnson (Andy), and grandson, Brady. |
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