Enhanced by stunning artistic projections, this performance showcases the National Symphonic Chorus presenting selections by Fauré and Brahms under the direction of Guest Conductor Irene Messoloras.

The first half of the concert will feature the National Concert Chorus performing works by Jake Runestad, Kim Andre Arnesen, and a world premiere by composer Patrick Vu.

ALAN ZABRISKIE, GUEST CONDUCTOR

Alan Zabriskie is Director of Choral Studies and Associate Professor of Music at Texas Tech University where he serves as conductor of the University Choir and mentors doctoral and masters students in choral conducting.  Prior to arriving at Texas Tech University, he served as Director of Choral Activities at the University of Central Missouri for seven years and taught middle school and high school choral music in the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada.  He holds degrees from the University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and Florida State University.

Under Alan's direction, notable choral performances include a National Convention of the American Choral Directors Association, as the headline choir for the Missouri Music Educators Association In-service Workshop/Conference, and multiple appearances at Carnegie Hall. He has served as chorus master for the Utah Lyric Opera and Florida State University Opera, and has conducted honor choirs and served as clinician in choral festivals and conferences throughout the United States, Europe, Africa, and Asia. He has also conducted choirs on performance tours in the United States and abroad. Alan's textbook Foundations of Choral Tone: A Proactive and Healthy Approach to Choral Blend has been adopted by numerous universities and choral conductors around the world. His main conducting mentors include Kevin Fenton, Ronald Staheli, and André Thomas.

Alan is a member of NCCO, ACDA, and NAfME and has served terms as a national board member for the National Collegiate Choral Organization, R&S Chair for Multicultural Music for the Missouri Choral Directors Association, secretary of the Nevada Music Educators Association, and treasurer of the Nevada Choral Directors Association.

IRENE MESSOLORAS, GUEST CONDUCTOR

Dedicated to inspiring musicians and audiences through a determined passion for musical excellence, Dr. Irene Messoloras maintains an active career as a sought-after music educator, conductor, clinician, and adjudicator. Her ensembles have delivered meaningful and passionate performances across the United States and on the international stage in both Europe and Asia. 

Dr. Irene Messoloras has served as Director of Choral Activities at the University of California, Irvine since 2019 and currently serves as Associate Chair of the Music Department. At UCI, she conducts the University Chamber Singers and Concert Choir, and teaches courses in conducting and choral leadership. In addition to her university work, Messoloras is the conductor of Meridian, a London-based professional choir recognized for its refined artistry and bold repertoire choices, blending timeless choral masterworks with contemporary voices. Both ensembles are partnered with Signum Records, and their recordings can be heard on all major streaming platforms.

Under Messoloras’ leadership, her choirs have been widely regarded as among the finest ensembles in the United States, earning invitations to perform at the American Choral Directors Association National Conferences in both 2021 and 2023. Recent highlights also include appearances at the National Association for Music Education National Conference, Carnegie Hall, Beijing Concert Hall, Live from London performances, as well as national commercial campaigns and professionally produced music videos.

Dr. Messoloras has received awards for her work in creative programming, diversity and inclusivity, community engagement, and conducting. Most recently, she was awarded the Grand Prize for Conducting at the 2023 World Classical Music Awards, named Grand Prize Winner at the 2023 Vivaldi International Music Competition, and earned first place with special recognition at the 2023 Bach International Music Competition. In 2024, Messoloras’ UCI Chamber Singers earned first place in the American Prize Classical Music Competition, receiving the Ernst Bacon Award for Excellence in the Performance of American Choral Music.

PATRICK VU, COMPOSER-IN-RESIDENCE

Patrick Vu (b. 1998) is a composer and conductor from Allen, Texas whose music has quickly gained attention in the United States. Patrick has received commissions and performances from professional organizations including VocalEssence, Chor Leoni, Dallas Chamber Choir, Chorus Austin, the Princeton Singers, Young New Yorkers’ Chorus, International Orange Chorale of San Francisco, Choral Arts Ensemble of Portland, Lubbock Chorale, Washington Master Chorale, Fort Worth Opera, the Savannah VOICE Festival, and numerous universities around the country. In 2023, Patrick was awarded the ACDA Raymond Brock Prize for Student Composers for his piece “On the Hillside.“

His works have been performed at regional and national ACDA conferences, various state conventions, SCI Conferences, and more. In 2026, he will receive his Carnegie Hall debut with a premiere of a new choral work commissioned by National Concerts. While Patrick remains mostly self-published, his choral music is published by Gentry, Hinshaw, Galaxy, Carl Fischer, Hal Leonard, and Alliance. Additionally, his art songs have been published by North Star Music in their “Modern Music for New Singers” series. Patrick has collaborated with and studied in private masterclasses with Eriks Esenvalds, André J. Thomas, Libby Larson, Steven Sametz, Michael Ching, and Jake Heggie.

In 2022, Patrick graduated with a BM in Music Composition and a BME Vocal Music Education from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas where he studied composition under Dr. Martin Blessinger and conducting under Dr. Christopher Aspaas. In 2024, Patrick received his MM in Choral Conducting from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas under Dr. Alan Zabriskie.

PROGRAM

Monday March 30, 2026 at 8:00 PM
CARNEGIE HALL

National Concert Chorus 
Alan Zabriskie, guest conductor

DAN CAMPIOLETA Everyone Sang 
JAKE RUNESTAD Into the Light 
KIM ANDRÉ ARNESEN Even When He Is Silent 
PATRICK VU Commissioned Piece (World Premiere)

National Symphonic Chorus 
Irene Messoloras, guest conductor 

GABRIEL FAURÉ Pavane 
JOHANNES BRAHMS Shicksalslied
GABRIEL FAURÉ Cantique de Jean Racine