University of Tennessee Singers
The UT Singers are the oldest vocal ensemble on the University of Tennessee campus, with a legacy dating back to 1952. What began as a choral group under the direction of John Carl Tegnell has transformed into a cutting-edge, mixed-voice contemporary a cappella group. Over the decades, they’ve evolved with the times—moving from choral to show choir, jazz, and now a cappella—always staying at the forefront of vocal performance. They’ve toured across the state, the nation, and the world, sharing stages with legends like Tennessee Ernie Ford and Lynn Anderson. Honored in 1963 by the Tennessee General Assembly as the state’s official Musical Ambassadors, they represent the heart, soul, and sound of UT—past, present, and future.
Meet Our Directors
Jeffrey Pappas
Natalie L. Haslam Founding Dean of the College of Music, Co-director of UT Singers
Jeffrey Pappas holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Northern Kentucky University, a Masters of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Illinois, and the Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa. His conducting teachers have included William Hatcher, Don Moses, Chester Alwes and James Dixon.
He is currently a professor of music and the Natalie Haslam Founding Dean of the College of Music at the University of Tennessee. Prior to this appointment, he was the Chair of the Department of Music at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, and the Director of Choral Activities and Coordinator of Ensembles and Conducting at Ball State University where he conducted the Chamber Choir, taught upper-level undergraduate conducting, masters and doctoral level choral literature and conducting, and administrated the choral area. He has also served as the Director of Choral Activities at Mississippi State University and at Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa and on the music faculty at Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio.
Andrea Markowitz Gantte
Lecturer of Music, Co-director of UT Singers | [email protected]
Professor Andrea Markowitz Gantte co-directs the UT Singers vocal ensemble and recently served as interim director of the UT Concert Choir. She is a founding member and co-director of Summit Choral Collective, a nonprofit community choral organization based in Knoxville, Tennessee. In addition to teaching, she arranges music for contemporary choral ensembles and performs as a collaborative pianist for the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music at the University of Tennessee, St. Mark United Methodist Church, Tennessee Valley Players, and many schools and organizations across the East Tennessee region.
Gantte previously served as Professor of Music at Walters State Community College, Director of Choral Activities at Seymour High School, and Director of Music and Worship at St. Mark United Methodist Church. She has also performed as a vocal soloist and ensemble member in Knoxville and Chattanooga-based choral ensembles.
As a Knoxville native, Gantte dreamed of attending the University of Tennessee and is a proud alumna of the UT College of Music. She holds the Master of Music degree in music education, where she was a graduate teaching assistant and taught functional piano for music education majors, and a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance, where she received the prestigious Grace Moore vocal scholarship and was offered the National Piano scholarship. Gantte graduated magna cum laude and was awarded the College of Music’s Outstanding Graduate Senior in Vocal Performance. She is a member of NAfME and ACDA.
Eligibility & Audition Information: Now Accepting Applications for the 2025 – 2026 season!
Eligibility:
- Graduate student members: Must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Undergraduate student members: Must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7, as well as a minimum 3.0 in music classes (if a music major).
- All majors are welcome! You do not need to be in another choral ensemble to join or be a music major.
- Scholarships are available for UT Singers.
Audition Options
For the 2025 – 2026 season, you can audition in-person or virtually.
- Virtual Auditions: Submit your audition video using the Video Submission Form by August 1. For those wishing to audition in-person, please submit the In-Person Audition Application by August 1 and select an audition time in the In-Person Audition Sign-Up Sheet. In-person auditions will take place on August 15, from 10 AM – 12 PM.
- In-Person Auditions: Complete the In-Person Application Form by August 1. Choose your time slot on the In-Person Audition Sign-Up Sheet. Auditions take place on August 15 between 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Course Information
MUEN 320 (Monday/Wednesday 3:00-5:25 PM)
Questions? Contact Andrea Markowitz Gantte at [email protected].