Choral Ensembles
Choral ensembles at the Schwob School of Music offer students an exceptional opportunity to explore their passion for singing in a supportive and enriching environment. In addition to regular concerts on campus in our beautiful 450 seat state-of-the-art concert space, Legacy Hall, our ensembles are regularly featured at high-profile university functions and some embark on national tours. Many of our ensemble members come from majors outside of the school of music and faculty, staff, and community members always hold a visible presence in our large symphonic chorus, Choral Union.
Performance Opportunities
Schwob Singers is the flagship choral ensemble at the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University. Conducted by David Hahn, the 40-voice auditioned ensemble is comprised of CSU’s most dedicated singers and focuses predominately on unaccompanied choral works for advanced chamber choir. Through regular commissions, recordings, and world premieres of new works to collaborations with world-class performing artists, Schwob Singers remains committed to championing living composers and deepening the choral canon.
Recently, the ensemble was invited to serve as the Resident Choir for the Graduate Conducting Masterclass at the 2023 National Collegiate Choral Organization (NCCO) National Conference. They have also been selected to perform by juried invitation at the Georgia Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (GA-ACDA) State Conference in 2024, and at the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) State Conference in 2025. Additionally, the group has been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in both 2020 and 2025.
Whether in concert or competition, the Schwob Singers consistently strive to share choral music with diverse audiences, showcasing the exceptional talents of Columbus State University and contributing to the vibrant cultural legacy of Columbus, Georgia. To audition for Schwob Singers, please contact Dr. David Hahn at hahn_david@columbusstate.edu.
Conductor: Dr. David Hahn
Rehearsals: MWF, 10:45 am - 12:00 pm, RC 1714
Course Number: MUSP 1090/3090/7090
Major Concerts:
- GA-ACDA Performance — Saturday, October 5 at 12:30 PM in Morgan Hall at Kennesaw State University
- "Let My Love Be Heard" — Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 7:30 PM in Legacy Hall
- GMEA Performance — January 30 - February 1, 2025 in Athens, GA
- "Listen in the Silence" — Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 7:30 PM in Legacy Hall
Recent Performances:
Choral Union is the university’s large SATB symphonic chorus that welcomes students, faculty, staff, and members of the community. Choral Union is a vibrant, intergenerational chorus that regularly performs choral-orchestral repertoire and frequently collaborates with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, the Schwob Philharmonic, and the Schwob Wind Ensemble. Due to its once-a-week rehearsal schedule, the ensemble is geared toward experienced singers, but all are welcome. Recent repertoire includes Jocelyn Hagen’s The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci, Brahms Requiem, Verdi’s Requiem, Orff’s Carmina Burana, Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Requiem, Van’s A Procession Winding Around Me, Dett’s The Chariot Jubilee, and standard works from the canon. With a focus on inclusivity and accessibility, no audition is required to join. Choral Union rehearses once per week on Tuesday evenings and performs two concerts per year. To join Choral Union, please contact Dr. Hahn for registration information at hahn_david@columbusstate.edu.
Conductor: Dr. David Hahn
Rehearsals: Tuesday evenings, 7:00 pm - 9:15 pm, RC 1714
Course Number: MUSP 1095/3095/7095
2024-2025 Season Performances:
Haydn, RVW, and Beethoven — Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 7:30 PM in Legacy Hall
- Repertoire: Haydn Missa in Angustiis (Lord Nelson Mass), Ralph Vaughan Williams Toward the Unknown Region and Beethoven Hallelujah from Christ on the Mount of Olives
Mozart and Lambert — Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 7:30 PM in Legacy Hall
- Repertoire: Mozart Requiem and Lambert The Rio Grande (featuring guest pianist)
Master of Music in Music Performance with a concentration in Choral Conducting
The Master of Music in Music Performance degree at the Schwob School of Music is an intensive two-year program designed to equip aspiring conductors for successful musical leadership in both academic and professional settings. Program highlights include:
- Competitive graduate assistantships, including full tuition waivers and yearly stipend
- Substantial podium time with all university choral ensembles
- Weekly hour-long conducting lessons
- Comprehensive two-year choral literature sequence
- Masterclasses with renowned guest artists
- National performance tours
- Practical training in managing a choral program and planning invitationals, tours, etc.
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration with wind, orchestra, and choral faculty and studios
- Performances of commissions and premieres with distinguished composers
Students admitted to the MM program focus on choral literature and rehearsal techniques, receive comprehensive training in score study and analysis, repertoire knowledge, gestural fluency and communication, and the relationship between technique and rehearsal. Graduates typically go on to teach at the high-school or collegiate levels or pursue a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting.
Applying to the Columbus State University Schwob School of Music is a two-step process:
- Apply to the Columbus State University Graduate School
- Submit all materials below through Acceptd by February 1 for priority admission:
- Rehearsal footage (front view of conductor only) totaling no less than 15 minutes.
- Performance footage (front view of conductor only) totaling no less than 15 minutes.
- A video in which you address these topics: 1) speak briefly about yourself and your musical background; 2) describe your goals in pursuing graduate studies in conducting.
- Personal/Professional Statement: include a 2-3 page personal statement indicating how your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Then, state your professional goals and include how this program and the Schwob School of Music will help you achieve your professional goals.
- Three letters of recommendation sent directly to Dr. Hahn from recommenders
- Current Resume/CV
- Repertoire list of works conducted
- Recent professional headshot
Once all applications and materials have been received, the School of Music faculty will review your application. If you are selected for an on-campus audition, we will contact you to schedule your audition which will consist of:
- a conducting lesson on the assigned repertoire with the Director of Choral Activities
- conducting and rehearsing a CSU choral ensemble on the assigned repertoire
- an interview with conducting and vocal faculty and meetings with current CSU students
- sight-reading, musicianship, and ear-training evaluations
Prior to the audition date, conducting applicants who are selected for an audition will be informed of the required work(s) to be prepared for the audition.
Faculty Director
Dr. David Hahn, the Paul S. and Jean R. Amos Distinguished Chair in Music and Director of Choral Activities
Dr. David Hahn is a conductor, collaborator, and educator who has earned a reputation for his innovative programming, powerful interpretations, and commitment to nurturing the next generation of choral artists. As the Paul S. and Jean R. Amos Distinguished Chair in Music and Director of Choral Activities at the Schwob School of Music, Hahn administers the master‘s program in choral conducting, teaches graduate conducting and choral literature, undergraduate conducting, conducts the Schwob Singers, Choral Union, and leads the annual Schwob Choral Invitational. Before joining the faculty at Columbus State University, he served as Director of Choral Activities at the University of Toledo.
