Choral Music at BSC

Excellent choral music opportunities abound at Birmingham-Southern. Three choral groups in the Music Department (described below) are open to student participation. In addition, the extra-curricular BSC Gospel Choir, under the leadership of Antoine Andrews, presents a concert each spring on the campus, and the Alumni Choir, directed by Lester Seigel, presents selections at the annual Carol Service in December.

The Concert Choir, conducted by Lester Seigel, Joseph Hugh Thomas Professor of Music, is a mixed ensemble open by audition to students, usually following their first year at the College. The Choir tours extensively and has made appearances in Europe, and at regional and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association. The Concert Choir also periodically performs major works with members of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Recent works with orchestra have included Ralph Vaughan Williams' Dona nobis pacem, the German Requiem of Johannes Brahms, mass settings by Schubert and Haydn. The choir has issued several CD recordings of music for the holiday season, featuring selections from the annual Carol Service.

Southern Chorale is conducted by David Smith, Professor of Music and coordinator of the voice department. A mixed ensemble composed primarily of first-year students, the Chorale performs each December at the annual Carol Service and customarily presents a major work with members of the Alabama Symphony each spring.

Hilltop Singers is a vocal jazz ensemble composed of twelve singers and instrumental combo, all chosen by annual audition. Members receive a scholarship to participate in this group, which performs throughout the region in a wide ranging program of jazz standards, doo-wop, a capella jazz and more. The Singers are directed by Lester Seigel.