By Colin Gurney
The UNO Concert Choir holds numerous events throughout the year, practicing for several hours a week to sharpen their skills.
Derek Fox, Director of Choral Activities at UNO, said that in addition to teaching students how to read and sing music, he shows the concert choir how to tell significant stories through their music.
“I don’t expect everybody who is in my ensembles to be a music major,” Fox said. “But I want them to find that level of passion and participation that feeds their soul in the way they need for it to be fed.”
Fox said he teaches a diverse curriculum of multicultural music, both in and out of Western tradition, to shape student experience and give opportunities to less represented voices.
“I think one of the misnomers about singing on our campus is that you have to be a music major,” Fox said. “And you do not need to be a music major. We have a place for everybody who wants to sing.”
Concert choir member Dawson Langholdt says he often leaves Fox’s practices with a smile on his face.
“Being with such amazing people and having this really cool music to work with,” Langholdt said. “I’m really excited to share it.”
The concert choir will be performing at the upcoming Choral Invitational Concert event on March 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Strauss Performing Arts Center. For more details on choir events, visit website.
