Our Mission
Our mission is to bring high quality musical presentations to the Upper Cumberland community and to give local singers an opportunity to participate in a professional music group. We strive to enrich the cultural life of our listeners and inspire them to effect real change in our community.
Our History
In January 1978, eighteen singers from the Cookeville, Tennessee community joined together under the direction of Dr. David Urness to form the choral organization known as Mastersingers. Mastersingers was formed to bring high quality musical presentations to the Upper Cumberland community and at the same time give local singers an opportunity to participate in a professionally run music group.
Since that time, literally hundreds of singers have participated, with thousands of audience members enjoying the fruits of their labor. Mastersingers, now averaging seventy members, continues to enrich the cultural life of the Upper Cumberland area with quality choral presentations which include something for everyone! The group reflects the diversity of the community it serves, both in terms of membership and programming. Robert Shaw, one the greatest conductors of our time said, “A chorus reaches deep into community life, crosses all sorts of social and economic lines, and makes a contribution not only to a city’s aesthetics, but also its humanity.”
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Dr. Craig Zamer
Dr. Craig Zamer is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Tennessee Tech University where he directs a non-auditioned Concert Choir and the Tennessee Tech University Chorale, TTU’s top auditioned choir. Dr. Zamer also teaches undergraduate courses in choral conducting, choral literature, and secondary choral methods.
Dr. Zamer received his Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Vocal Performance and Music Education from Virginia Tech University. He also holds the M.M.E. and Ph. D. degrees in Music Education and Choral Conducting from The Florida State University. Before his graduate work he taught high school choral music at Stone Bridge High School in Loudoun County, Virginia.
In 2018 Dr. Zamer debuted in Carnegie Hall conducting choirs from Tennessee and Mississippi in a performance of Dan Forrest’s Jubilate Deo with full orchestra. Dr. Zamer has been an invited clinician, conductor, and adjudicator in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, New York, Tennessee, and Virginia. Dr. Zamer has conducted abroad in Austria, China, the Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.
PAST DIRECTORS
Dr. Craig Zamer
Fall 2007 to Present
Dr. Randall Hooper
January 2005 to Summer 2007
Ms. Joy Rachor
Fall 2001 to December 2004
Mr. Joe Groom
Fall 2000 to Spring 2001
Ms. Joy Rachor
Fall 1995 to Spring 2000
Dr. Robert Wright
Fall 1991 to Spring 1995
Mr. Rick Woods
Fall 1988 to Spring 1991
Dr. Robert Wright
Fall 1983 to Spring 1988
Mr. Blanton Alspaugh
Fall 1982 to Spring 1983
Dr. David Urness
January 1978 to Fall 1982
2022-2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Michelle Wheatley
Vice President
Nicole Sauce
Treasurer
Michael Allen
Recording Secretary
Erin Sullens
Member Chair
Dessa Hix
Fundraising
Ashlyn Cantrell
Social Chair
Laurie Murdock
Mastersingers Scholarship/Librarian
Rachel Young
Accompanist
Joy Rachor
Music Director
Craig Zamer