FHU Chorale Embarks on Northeastern Singing Tour

For members of the Freed-Hardeman University Chorale, the 2024-25 school year was one of new beginnings. Now under the leadership of Dr. Scott Wyatt, who joined FHU as Chorale director and assistant professor of music in the fall of 2024, students have been hard at work learning new songs, refining their musical skills and growing together as a group with a unified purpose. Much of their work paid off in January during an exciting winter tour that allowed them to share their talents with churches and audiences across the Northeast.

Hitting the Road

Bringing a full repertoire of sacred acapella pieces, the group set off Jan. 14 for an eight-day tour that included performances in Knoxville, Tennessee; Falls Church, Virginia; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Columbus, Ohio; and Gallatin, Tennessee, before finishing with a closing concert in Henderson.

In planning the tour stops, Wyatt aimed to create an experience that was both fun and relatively inexpensive for students who were voluntarily giving up part of their winter break to participate. Christians in each local congregation became their host families, opening up their homes to keep and feed small groups of Chorale members during their stay. “Everybody was super welcoming, loving and supportive,” Wyatt said of their host congregations.

Singers spend plenty of quality time together as they travel.

Some destinations had not been visited by FHU representatives for many years, so local Christians were excited to learn more about what the university has to offer. The week’s itinerary even allowed for some free time spent exploring New York City. For a group of college students, some of whom had never traveled outside of Tennessee, it was an unforgettable experience.

“Probably my greatest joy is seeing other people’s joy,” added Wyatt. “I just love to see their eyes light up. And to take them somewhere like New York—that was just a blast. We had so much fun.”

Free time on tour is often spent enjoying good food and great friends.

Chorale members stop to explore Buc-ee's along their journey.

On and Off the Risers

Singing a mixture of classic hymns, modern devotional songs, spirituals and even a medley for children, the group performed a program titled “Let My Love Be Heard” for audiences at every tour stop. Tucker Cates, a sophomore Bible major who is now in his first year with the group, said that he was “deeply moved” by the power in the songs they sang together. “The lyrics, harmonies and dynamics carried such weight that they often left the audience and ourselves in chills, awe and even tears,” he said.

In between performances, travelers had plenty of time to build the type of group camaraderie that makes trips such as this so memorable. To help pass the many hours on the bus, members participated in Chorale traditions both old and new. Activities like “Secret Singers” invited students to randomly draw names and leave anonymous encouraging notes and small gifts for their secret friends throughout the week. Another tradition called “storytime” also invited volunteers to tell funny stories to their captive bus audience.

While in Ohio, they enjoyed visiting an enormous international grocery store near Cincinnati called Jungle Jim’s. Additionally, their free day in New York City allowed them to explore the Big Apple, see famous sites and even attend a performance of the Broadway show “Wicked.”

Recent graduate Nate Elmshaeuser, who returned to travel and perform with the group, divided his favorite non-performing moments into three categories: “bus experiences, host homes and tour antics.” “I have found that these moments largely construct the culture of a group,” he said. “Our Chorale developed great chemistry with each other during these times.”

The final stop on the group’s winter tour was a hometown concert in Old Chapel Hall.

Turning a New Page

Returning from their winter tour exhausted but renewed, students went right back to work preparing for the next adventure. The spring semester brought opportunities to visit local congregations and high schools as well as further performances at on-campus events, such as FHU Lectureship and Makin’ Music weekend.

Wyatt hopes that the group will continue to grow as opportunities in the music program expand. Current students are eager to welcome new singers into their ranks so that even more can enjoy tours such as this one.

“My personal experience on the winter tour was absolutely incredible, and I feel so blessed to be part of this group!” Cates shared.

Elmshaeuser agreed, adding a message to all who may consider joining the group in the future. “Chorale is a fantastic community of individuals who really care about one another and about praising God,” he said. “No group of people is perfect, but that’s part of what makes it such a good arena for personal development as a singer and more importantly as a Christian.”

Those wishing to become involved with the FHU Chorale may contact Wyatt at swyatt@fhu.edu. Auditions for new members will be held in the fall of 2025.