Deborah Chandler, director of choral activities, has been teaching at ULM for nine years, and every year she has conducted the ULM Concert Choir recruiting tour in the spring.
Over the last eight years, the trip has been so successful that President Bruno has now suggested that the choir tour in the fall rather than the spring since most high school seniors have not decided on a school at that time.
The concert choir left Monday, Oct. 3 and toured for three days to perform a total of nine concerts and reaching anywhere from 800-2,000 students in schools in Texas and Louisiana.
After a successful trip in spring 2012, Chandler is hopeful that the group will return to Monroe with a list of 300-400 students who have an interest in learning more about ULM.
Allison Friloux, a senior vocal music education major and member of the concert choir, said she is excited for the trip because she remembers when the ULM Concert Choir came to her high school.
“Personally, I would not be at ULM if it was not for the concert choir. I saw the choir on a tour during my junior year of high school, and seeing the sheer talent and then coming to visit on VAPA day is what sold me on this school,” said Friloux.
According to Chandler, the concert choir performs at high schools, community colleges and churches, and recruits students not only for the arts, but for other university interests as well.
“We just jump up and down and show everyone what a great school ULM is,” Chandler said. “We believe in the product that ULM offers, and we want to sell that product.”
While Chandler said that it has been difficult to turn everything around in five weeks notice, she said that the choir is very excited to have this opportunity, and they are thrilled that Dr. Brumfield and SGA President Calvin Stafford came up with funding for the tour.
Friloux said the unexpected change in tour date has been difficult to prepare for, but it has brought the group together as well.
“It has really forced us to grow and push ourselves as musicians,” Friloux said. “This has also created a stronger bond between this particular group.”
In addition to the 53 singers, seven members of the Music department faculty will also travel and perform with the choir.
According to Chandler, each performance is about 40 minutes long, and afterwards the choral members stay to talk to potential students.
“It’s really amazing to watch when I say to my students, ‘Ok now go out and recruit,’” Chandler said. “They head out there so enthusiastically and just smother the kids with information about how great ULM is.”
The concert choir will host a home concert on Nov. 5, at First Methodist Church on Loop Road at 7:30 p.m. The concert will feature the 130 voice West Monroe High School Rebel Choir, and admission will be free.
