MSU Choirs Explore Home, Belonging, and Human Connection
Two of Michigan State University’s premier choral ensembles, the State Singers and University Chorale, present a shared concert on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. in Fairchild Theatre of the MSU Auditorium. Conducted by Derrick Fox and Sandra Snow, the program explores themes of home, belonging, reflection, and renewal through a diverse collection of choral works.
Comprised of auditioned singers, these distinguished College of Music ensembles build on a rich tradition of performance and musical excellence. The State Singers, the College of Music’s oldest choral ensemble, perform music drawn from a variety of traditions and cultures. The University Chorale presents repertoire spanning centuries, from early sacred works to contemporary compositions.
Derrick Fox and Sandra Snow guide two distinguished choral ensembles through repertoire spanning centuries of musical traditions and styles.
Under the direction of Derrick Fox, the State Singers examine the meaning of home through music that celebrates gathering, memory, purpose, and belonging. Drawing from a wide range of traditions, the repertoire moves from the playful Renaissance writing of Adriano Banchieri’s Contrapunto Bestiale and the powerful African American spiritual tradition represented by Moses Hogan’s I Can Tell the World to reflective works such as Stephen Paulus’s The Road Home and Marques Garrett’s Veni, Sancte Spiritus, connecting with a sense of renewal and inspiration. Led by Sandra Snow, the University Chorale concludes the concert with a program centered on comfort, refuge, renewal, and joy. From the chamber-scale elegance of Handel’s As Pants the Hart and expressive works by Amy Beach and Francis Poulenc to contemporary compositions by Cecilia McDowall, Errolyn Wallen, and Ivo Antognini, the ensemble explores music that offers solace, inspires reflection, and culminates in a vibrant celebration of hope.
“What makes this concert special is the way these two ensembles approach the idea of human connection from different perspectives,” said Sandra Snow, professor of music and director of choral programs at MSU. “Whether through reflections on home and community or music that explores comfort, hope, and renewal, these performances invite audiences to experience the power of choral music to bring people together.”
Other choral performances this semester include Viridis and Campus Choir on December 1, followed by Mosaic and Singing Spartans on December 2, both in Fairchild Theatre.
This concert is presented during the MSU College of Music’s “20 Years of Momentum” anniversary season, celebrating two decades as an independent college while building on a musical tradition at MSU that spans more than 160 years.
Tickets: General admission tickets purchased at the door are $14 for adults and $12 for seniors (age 60+). Admission is free for students and those under 18 with valid ID. Tickets may also be purchased online at music.msu.edu/events or by calling (517) 353-5340; tickets purchased online or by phone include a $1.50 processing fee.
