AC Choirs are part of the fabric of college life….
C
horal and vocal music has been part of the artistic and educational traditions of Austin College since about 1890 when college archives indicate that the students of the all-male college often formed “serenading clubs.” On special occasions, the President would “suspend the rules” and allow the men to leave campus — chaperones close at hand, of course — and travel the short mile to the west to sing for the ladies of Kidd-Key College, a teachers’ college for young women located in downtown Sherman. Out of this tradition came the first established vocal ensemble, The Quartette. This group of three students and a faculty member performed throughout north Texas, often boarding the Interurban Train and braving the 40 mph trip through the rugged Texoma region.
In the 1910’s, Austin College remained a men’s institution, and the Austin College Glee Club often joined forces with the women’s college in Sherman to form a mixed ensemble, all under the watchful eye of those chaperones! The mixed-voice Austin College Choir was organized in the late 1910’s but became well-established in the 20s when women were admitted to the college. The Choir thrived through the 1930s under the direction of longtime Sherman resident and music teacher, George Case.
In 1943, Mrs. Paul Silas, wife of an A.C. professor, formed an ad hoc choir for a play in the fall semester. The students liked it so much that they remained together the rest of the year, and this became the seeds of the modern A Cappella Choir.
The Austin College A Cappella Choir was officially formed in 1947 and was directed by Dr. R. Wayne Bedford, psychology professor and an exceptionally talented musician and singer. Dr. Bedford quickly established the Choir on a national and international stage and by 1957 had organized and conducted a six-week international tour to most of the capitals of Europe at a time when American choral ensembles were seldom seen overseas. After appearing on the “Today Show” and several radio broadcasts in the U.S., the Choir continued on to Europe and the International Polyphonic Choral Festival in Arezzo, Italy where it became the first American ensemble to receive an award in the unaccompanied, small ensemble division, in this case, third place.
In 1959, the A Cappella Choir came under the direction of Professor Bruce Lunkley, who would cement the place of the ensemble in the traditions of Austin College. Professor Lunkley would direct the Choir for the next 32 years. He was responsible for mounting regular international tours, establishing an endowment, and forming an ensemble for the alumni of the A Cappella Choir which also tours Europe every four years.
Dr. Wayne Crannell became Director of Choral/Vocal Music at Austin College in 1995 when he assumed the leadership of the A Cappella Choir. During his tenure, the Choir has developed from an ensemble comfortable with standard unaccompanied choral literature to an extremely versatile choir modeled after the vocal styles of the ensembles at schools such as St. Olaf, Luther College, and Westminster Choir College.
Since 1995, four additional ensembles — The Austin College Chorale, The Consort, The Quartette, and Descant — have been added to 
explore other genres and provide valuable opportunities for students. Dr. Crannell continues to balance the inclusive nature of the Choir and vocal music at Austin College with the goal of expanding the program’s repertoire and to position Austin College as a unique alternative to the traditional university music program. Most importantly, the participation by students with all backgrounds continues to be valued.
