Vocal Performance Major Achieves a Childhood Dream Through Rowan University’s Concert Choir Class
[Editor update : since we first spoke with Moses, he has since graduated with a bachelor of music.]
A senior from Trenton, NJ (Mercer County) who transferred to Rowan University from Mercer County College, Moses Possible has been a member of the Concert Choir class every semester he has been a student here. Under the direction of Dr. Christopher Thomas, Moses says he has seen tremendous growth within himself as a singer.
Composed of approximately 40 students, Concert Choir is the top choral ensemble on campus, which meets Mondays through Thursdays from 3:30 pm to 4:45 pm. At the beginning of the academic year, students have the opportunity to audition and receive choral placements for either Concert Choir or University Chorus. This opportunity is open to all students – not just within the music department, vocal department, and the College of Performing Arts. Once placements have concluded, Dr Thomas will begin teaching students pieces of choral music. He gives students the experience to be challenged and push their personal artistry within vocal music.
“It is a lot of hard work and dedication to put some of the best singing that you can into your craft,” says Moses.
Within Concert Choir, Moses has been given various performance opportunities that showcase the talent of the ensemble. Concert Choir performed Beethoven’s 9th Symphony at Carnegie Hall in New York City. They will also perform “Run-Outs,” which is where they travel to high schools and perform for young minds who possibly aspire to be vocal or music majors. Recently, Concert Choir worked with a four-year university in northern New Jersey’s Premiere Choir on a collaborative piece of music.
You get what you put into your craft. The sky is the limit.
Of all of these opportunities through Concert Choir, Moses’ favorite was when they performed at the Princeton Chapel in Princeton, NJ. When he was 11, Moses took a field trip to the Princeton Chapel, where the tour guide told him that this is where famous people and choirs sing and present their music. From that moment on, Moses knew he wanted to make that dream a reality. About 11 years later, Moses was given the chance to realize his dream and share his passion and drive for vocal music at the Princeton Chapel, alongside the rest of the Concert Choir.
For Moses, he never thought he was going to be able to sing the songs he is able to now, and Concert Choir helped to achieve that goal. He has seen a lot of personal growth within himself, and is inspired by his fellow peers. Through this ensemble, Moses feels like he has been given a space to grow, the opportunity to keep perfecting his craft, and have his talents be nurtured.
With specializations in both vocal and instrumental, Rowan University’s bachelor of music program prepares students for professional careers in the performing arts. Through high-level ensemble experiences such as Concert Choir, and courses designed for each instrument or voice type, aspiring graduates develop their craft and their professionalism through exposure to a wide variety of experiences and faculty mentorship.
Written by: Jordyn Dauter, junior double major in dance & elementary education