From the University Musical Society
A two-year national search has culminated in the appointment of Thomas Sheets as music director and conductor of the University Musical Society (UMS) Choral Union, effective Aug. 1.
“We are very fortunate to have Thomas Sheets heading our choral program,” says UMS Executive Director Kenneth C. Fischer. “His considerable experience as a conductor of choral-orchestral works will strengthen and guide our very talented chorus into the next phase of its growth, which includes some exciting projects in the 1993–94 season.”
Sheets, who said he looks “forward to continuing the development of the Society’s choral program and assisting with the continued musical growth of each singer,” holds a doctor of musical arts in choral music from the University of California and a master of music in choral conducting from California State University, Fullerton.
He is associate conductor of the Master Chorale of Orange County and director of choral activities at Long Beach City College. He has been actively involved in community chorus leadership for more than 15 years, during which he assisted in preparing all the important works in the choral-orchestral repertoire. He has been chorusmaster in several opera productions, most recently in acclaimed performances of Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra and Szymanowski’s’ King Roger, both with the Long Beach Opera.
Sheets joins a distinguished group of Choral Union directors, including Calvin B. Cady, Albert A. Stanley, Earl V. Moore, Hardin Van Duersen, Thor Johnson, Lester McCoy, Donald Bryant and Thomas Hilbish.
