MSU State Singers conclude Texas performance tour

Under the direction of Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities Gary Packwood, 53 student singers, including music and non-music majors, gave performances across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Designed as a recruitment tour for Mississippi State and the Department of Music, the State Singers have toured all around the southern United States, performing in two to three states each fall semester. In the fall of 2018, Packwood decided to change up his scheduling for the singers to perform a total of seven concerts in Texas alone, singing at Birdville, Byron Nelson, Eaton, Plano Senior, Plano West and McKinney Boyd high schools and Texas A&M-Commerce.

Packwood credits the size of his group for being able to travel so far to recruit new singers.

“With the choir, we just need enough room to stand, and we don’t always need a piano,” said Packwood. “Also, my wonderful colleague here Dr. Christine Lee accompanied us on tour so that didn’t limit us either.”

In addition to the fall tour, the State Singers perform several concerts, including an October concert and one at Christmas.

For more information on the State Singers or choral activities at MSU, visit http://www.statesings.com/State_Sings/Choral_Home.html.