UK Treble Choir 30th anniversary concert honors longtime director

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 2, 2025) — The University of Kentucky Treble Choir will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 5, in the Singletary Center for the Arts Concert Hall.

This milestone event will also honor the ensemble’s director Lori Hetzel, D.M.A., and feature performances by current collegiate and alumni members of the women’s acapella group Paws and Listen and the UK Treble Choir, formerly known as the Women’s Choir.

The Treble Choir is a dynamic ensemble featuring singers from various musical backgrounds and academic disciplines. Members range from first year to graduate students.

More than 50 alumnae of Paws and Listen and more than 110 Treble Choir alumnae will participate in the anniversary concert.

“The choir offers a unique opportunity for individuals to come together and share their passion for music,” Hetzel said. “This diverse group of talented women brings many voices and experiences to the stage, creating a rich and harmonious sound reflecting their journeys and collective love for music.”

In her three decades at the UK College of Fine Arts School of Music Hetzel, professor of music and associate director of UK Choirs, has been instrumental in shaping the university’s music programs and fostering the development of emerging musicians. A distinguished author, conductor and professor, Hetzel has received numerous academic awards throughout her tenure at UK. Her leadership and passion for music continue to inspire her peers, alumni and the next generation of musicians.

“Dr. Lori Hetzel is the consummate professional, a tireless mentor, and one of the most influential figures in my career,” said Elizabeth Wilson, a lecturer in the School of Music. “She is incredibly deserving of this celebration in recognition of her 30 years of commitment to the UK Women’s Choir.”

The anniversary concert will bring together not only alums, who will gather to celebrate the choir’s rich history, but also current students and faculty to honor Hetzel’s unwavering dedication and impactful leadership.

“Lori Hetzel has been a beacon of light for choral music education in Kentucky for decades,” said Jefferson Johnson, professor of music and director of UK Choirs. “Her guidance has shaped generations of students, who are now outstanding music educators. Her legacy extends to countless school districts across the state.”

Due to restrictions on mass gathering during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Treble Choir could not celebrate its 25th anniversary. The 30th anniversary concert will be a unique opportunity to celebrate the choir’s history and honor the ensemble’s continuing growth.

The performance will feature the contemporary repertoire, as well as the ensemble’s greatest hits from the past 30 years. Selections will include pieces the Treble Choir performed at regional and national American Choral Directors Association conventions and six international tours.

Tickets to the UK Treble Choir 30th Anniversary Celebration of Lori Hetzel are $20 for adults and $10 for students (additional online processing fees may apply) and are available at the Singletary Center ticket office, by phone at 859-257-4929 or online at SingletaryCenter.com. Students can also get one free ticket in advance through the Singletary Center ticket office and must present their IDs at the door the day of the event. Free tickets are not available on the day of the performance.

For people who can’t attend in person, the program will be livestreamed. Access to the stream is available for $13 via the Singletary Center ticket office.