Accolades & Achievements

Additional Items of Note

The Concert Choir has performed in almost 20 countries throughout their nine European tours. During their 1999 tour, they were invited to perform at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
The Concert Choir has produced 21 professional recordings through Mark Custom Records.

Awards

2008: World Choir Games in Graz, Austria
- Gold medal and the Championship in the Gospel & Spiritual Category
- Gold medal and second place in the Mixed Choir Category
- Mansfieldians took the Gold medal and the Championship in the Vocal Jazz category

2011: International Musical Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales
- First place in the Women’s Choir Competition, Finalist for the Choir of the World Prize
- Second place in the Youth Choir category
- Second place in the Mixed Choir category
2012: World Choir Games in Cincinnati, Ohio
- Gold Medal and Second place in Mixed Youth Choir
- Gold Medal and fourth Place in Folklore
- Gold Medal and twelfth Place in Musica Sacra

2014: World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia
- Gold Medal and second place in the Spiritual category
- Gold Medal and Third Place in the Mixed Youth Choir category
- Gold Medal and Fifteenth Place in the Musica Sacra with Accompaniment category

2017: Harmonie Festival in Limburg-Lindenholzhausen, Germany
- First prize and a Gold Certificate in the Women’s Choir category
- Second prize and a Gold Certificate in the Men’s Choir category
- Second prize and a Gold Certificate in the Mixed Choir category
- Third prize and a Gold Certificate in the Sacred Music category

National Recognition

2011: American Prize in Choral Performance for the College/University Division
2013: Finalist for the American Prize in Choral Performance for the College/University Division
2015: Finalist for the American Prize in Choral Performance for the College/University Division
2016: Finalist for the American Prize in Choral Performance for the College/University Division
2021: American Prize in Choral Performance for the College/University Division (small program)

Carnegie Hall Performances

2012: Women of the Concert Choir chosen to provide the “Nun’s Chorus” for the Sound of Music Gala Concert at Carnegie Hall.
2014: Debut performance as an ensemble at Carnegie Hall as part of the Performing Arts Educators Invitational. The Concert Choir returned to this Invitational in 2017 and 2019, and again in 2023 with both the Concert Choir and the Concert Choir Alumni Singers.
2018: Performed the choruses of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide for the Gala Concert at Carnegie Hall.

Concert Choral

Items of Additional Note

Produced 19 professional recordings through Mark Custom Records, many of which also highlighted the jazz band and marching band
The MU Wind Ensemble was the host of the annual Conducting Symposium where the wind ensemble, symphonic band, and symphony orchestra served as the clinic ensembles for young conductors and educators. 15 years of this event.
The MU Wind Ensemble was one of three performing ensembles that participated in the annual student conductor’s competition concert, promoting excellence in ensemble leadership and conducting skills in undergraduate and graduate students. 25 years between 2000 and 2025.

World Premiere Performances of the Following Compositions:

Grammy Nomination Eligible For

Critical Speed: the Music of Greg Danner
- Album of the Year
- Best Engineered Album, Classical
- Producer of the Year, Classical
- Best Orchestral Performance
Malachai: A Celebration of a Special Life
- Album of the Year
- Best Contemporary Classical Composition (Title Composition)
- Best Orchestral Performance
The Music of David Holsinger, vol 13
- Album of the Year
- Best Engineered Album, Classical
- Producer of the Year, Classical
- Best Orchestral Performance
Gusto!
- Producer of the Year, Classical
- Best Orchestral Performance

Participated in the Commissioning of These New Works:

Notable Performances

2012: Performed by invitation in both London, England, and Paris, France, during the 2012 Olympics
2024: Performed by invitation at the London International New Years Eve Celebration
2025: Performed at Carnegie Hall (joined by alumni members)
Auditioned 6 times to perform at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) state conference, and was invited to perform all six times

Wind Ensemble

Notable Performances

1999: Performed by invitation at the International Oktoberfest parade in Ontario, Canada, where they were seen by over 1 million spectators both along the parade route and through the television broadcast.
2000: Featured at the Rochester International Marine Tatoo, the only collegiate band to be asked to participate.
2003: Performed by invitation at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Inaugural Parade - the only PASSHE school present. During this parade, they premiered an original piece for the event which was presented to the governor to commemorate the occasion.
2012: Performed by invitation at the Olympic Games in London, England. Along with the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Combo, they performed at a number of Olympic venues, including the USA Athlete’s House.
2024: Performed by invitation in London, England, for the New Year’s Eve International Celebration. Students from Bloomsburg and Lock Haven joined the ensemble, and nearly 85 students represented Commonwealth University in their performances, exposing Commonwealth University to over 1 million viewers.

The Spirit and Pride of PA Marching Band