Conductor, Marie Bucoy-Calavan

Bio: The Chamber Choir is the premier choir at The University of Akron. Consisting of a select group of musicians typically numbering between 20 and 24, this ensemble focuses on more technically difficult music from all eras and styles. As the flagship choral ensemble for The University of Akron, the group consistently performs with The Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus at Severance Hall and has performed in prominent venues like the John S. Knight Center, E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, and multiple other venues in the area. The Chamber Choir is the university's touring choral ensemble, performing in major cities throughout the region.

Ensemble Statement: In the halls of The University of Akron School of Music, one can always find a choir student echoing the phrase: “Everything we do, we do together.” This motto encapsulates the ideal performance of choral music: breathing together, starting together, releasing together. Deeper than that, the choral program’s motto represents the familial ensemble environment, welcoming all members regardless of race, creed, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The UA Concert and Chamber Choirs strive to create an inclusive, positive environment for the budding choral musician. With both ensembles open to music majors and non-majors alike, the University of Akron choirs also foster musicianship and work ethic with equity, regardless of choristers’ previous experience or intended career paths. Dr. Bucoy-Calavan also strives to bring this sense of togetherness into her programming. The result is a blending of the “canon” of Western Music composers and the music of minoritized composers. Dr. Bucoy-Calavan has worked hard to include music by female composers, transgender composers, and often underrepresented persons of color, namely of the Spanish and Asian communities.The University of Akron choirs have a history of concerts that tackle relevant social issues as well as contribute to the community. In 2017, the UA Chamber Choir performed David Lang’s little match girl passion in collaboration with the University of Akron Dance Institute. In partnership with the Akron-Canton Food Bank, all donations and proceeds for the concert were donated to fight hunger in the community. The concert raised enough for just under 10,000 children’s meals.