Lincoln, Neb., Oct. 19, 2009 -- The University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Music's Chamber Singers will present an expanded series of four concerts at Sheldon Museum of Art this academic year.

Directed by Therees Hibbard, associate director of choral activities in the UNL School of Music, the ensemble has drawn large audiences in previous years when it has performed in the Museum's Great Hall, a space that resonates with choral music.

The dates and times for this free series are:

* Sunday, Nov. 1, 2 p.m. -- A Sheldon Sunday performance.
* Friday, Dec. 4, 5-7 p.m. -- Featured performers at First Friday's Winter Escape reception.
* Sunday, Feb. 14, 2 p.m. -- A Sheldon Sunday performance on Valentine's Day.
* Tuesday, April 6, noon to 5 p.m. -- Chamber Singers featuring Nebraska High School Festival Singers.

The Chamber Singers ensemble is composed of 24 to 28 voices selected by audition by music majors and non-music majors from throughout the university. The choir explores a broad range of repertoire specializing in literature for unaccompanied vocal performances and chamber ensembles, including works from early music eras, traditional choral chamber music as well as contemporary and new music composed for smaller vocal groups.

Hibbard said the ensemble considers itself the "choir in residence" at Sheldon. "Our Chamber Singers' motto is 'every person, every voice making a difference.' We feel this way about Sheldon. The Great Hall makes a difference to our music-making -- a transforming difference in our music, not just our sound -- and the collaboration keeps growing and deepening with every concert and event."

Support for these events comes from the Nebraska Arts Council and Sheldon Art Association.

Sheldon Museum of Art, 12th and R streets on the UNL City Campus, is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For information or to arrange a tour, call (402) 472-2461. For more information about museum events, visit www.sheldon.unl.edu.

The links at right are to a color JPEG image of the Chamber Singers performing under the direction of Hibbard in Sheldon's Great Hall and a 4-minute, 24-second recording in mp3 format of a performance by the singers.