"Why did you choose to attend this university or college?" is one of the questions employers often ask during an interview for an internship or entry-level job position. This question is designed to see how people make major life decisions and who or what has influenced their career paths.
The answer for Frost School of Music's recent graduates, Victoria Nieto, Jamie Bunce, and Scott AuCoin, is easy: Dr. Amanda Quist.
"There is a community of students that are kind, intelligent, talented, and eager to learn about choral music," says Victoria Nieto, who received her DMA in Choral Conducting from Frost School of Music this past May. As a teacher assistant and a member of the Frost Chorale, she enjoyed being part of the Frost culture. "As a conductor, I was part of the bridge between the student body and the faculty, which was wonderful. And as a teacher assistant, I got to experience the best of both worlds."
Unlike other students, Nieto's perspective of Frost's Chorale Program began before she attended the Frost School of Music. While studying for her master's degree, she participated in the All-State Choir, where she had the opportunity to observe conductor Amanda Quist. Nieto decided then that she wanted to study with her. When she heard that Quist had become the new Director of Choral Studies at the Frost School of Music, it became her first choice.
"The music-making is excellent, but most importantly, the culture that Dr. Quist has been able to create is what makes this program so successful," says Nieto. "Working as a teaching assistant and being the instructor of record for two classes was a great experience. I appreciated Dr. Quist's transparency in her work, and all the teaching assistants got to observe and ask questions about what it takes to run a choral studies program from the faculty's perspective in a major university."
Upon graduation, Nieto accepted the Director of Choral Activities in a Visiting Professor position at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. "Dr. Quist prepared me for my job interviews. She knew my strengths well as my mentor, so she set me up for success," she says.
Like Nieto, Jamie Bunce also completed her DMA in Choral Conducting this year. "Jamie is a wonderful teacher, and we are so proud of all she has accomplished at Frost," says Quist. "Jamie was afforded the opportunity to perform with British professional choir, Gallicantus, led by former King's Singer Gabriel Crouch in a performance of Sarah Kirkland Snider's Mass for the Endangered last summer. She put together a breathtaking performance of this multi-media work, which formed the basis for her lecture recital essay."
Bunce admits she came to Frost to work with Quist and her students. "The Frost Chorale is, hands down, one of the best collegiate choirs in the country," Bunce adds. "The music-making is incredibly sophisticated and moving, and Dr. Quist fosters a true community within the program. Her concepts of sound and style and the processes by which she builds them in an ensemble are unmatched; I wanted to learn from the expert. As a singer and an associate conductor of the ensemble, I could not have asked for a better experience."
For Bunce, last summer's Frost Chorale Tour to England and France was a highlight in her chorale studies. Exploring and singing with the chorale in the beautiful, centuries-old spaces where the repertoire was originally sung was an unforgettable experience.
"Preparing and conducting the Chorale and chamber orchestra for our performance of Sarah Kirkland Snider's Mass for the Endangered was a mountaintop experience for me," says Bunce. "It is an amazing, multidimensional work, and the students sang with beauty and sophistication. The performance was designed to be immersive and included digital animations created by the composer and the digital artist CandyStations. Diego Matallana from the Frost School helped design a lighting concept that coordinated with the projections, intensifying the effect. I am grateful to Dr. Quist for encouraging me to do this project and preparing me to step into the academic and professional worlds."
Bunce recently accepted a teaching position at Kansas State University. She also plans to continue to sing professionally in choral ensembles.
Scott AuCoin, who also completed his DMA in Choral Conducting this past May, echoes Bunce and Nieto's adulations. "I came to Frost because of Dr. Quist. I not only wanted to learn from her but was excited by her work and wanted to be a part of the program's growth," says AuCoin.
As a Teaching Assistant, AuCoin was Graduate Assistant Conductor to Chamber Singers, Frost Bella Voce, and Frost Chorale. He also ran the social media accounts for Frost Choral Studies and served as Lead TA and assistant to Quist.
"The greatest highlight during my time in Frost Choral Studies was leading a performance of Codebreaker: The Alan Turing Story as a part of my doctoral project. This was a major collaboration between Frost Choral Studies, a chamber orchestra of Frost students, and the Master Chorale of South Florida, including support from the Stonewall National Museum and Archives and the Our Found Foundation," says AuCoin, whose second highlight was the European tour.
"Not only did I travel to Europe for the first time and bring those experiences back to the classroom, but I also learned a lot about touring with a college ensemble that will be helpful in my future."
And that future is near. Starting this fall, AuCoin will be Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Haverford College, where he will serve as Director of Choral and Vocal Study. He will conduct The Chamber Singers of Haverford and Bryn Mawr Colleges and The Chorale and supervise the private voice studios.
"My time with Frost Choral Studies more than prepared me for this role," he concludes. "By working with various ensembles, I honed my rehearsal techniques and have much to bring to my students. Additionally, working closely with Dr. Quist gave me a firsthand look at how to run a successful choir program. With her influence and example, I have the tools to sustain the great program at Haverford."
