Featured Image: UT Martin’s University Singers perform at Dessert Evening at the Martin Event Center in Martin, Tenn. on Oct. 25, 2025. | (Pacer Photo / Miranda Conrad)

UT Martin Choirs presented a variety of performances at their annual fall concert, Dessert Evening, on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 at the Martin Event Center.

The event saw a change of scenery from last year, as it was previously held in the Paul Meek Library. This year’s theme was titled ‘Home’ and it sure brought the audience a sense of home as the choir performed and served delicious desserts throughout the evening.

When deciding the theme of Dessert Evening, Professor Mark Statler, the director of Choral Activities at UT Martin, spent a lot of time looking for music for the choirs to perform in the upcoming year and for ideas that could connect them.

“I try to find music from a variety of styles, genres, time periods, composers, and cultures….One of the ideas that stuck out to me a lot, as I found music for this year, was centered around things that make us feel at home,” Statler said. “That could be a place (like a childhood house you grew up in), but it could also be a person (friends or family who have helped to make you who you are), or even something else (the way many of us are able to find our place and home in music).”

Before the first dessert was brought out, the University Singers delivered an ethereal performance of Mi Lugar (My Place) by Carlos Cordero. The choir members also shouted out what ‘home’ means to them before they began singing. The performance sounded like a childhood lullaby that brings you a sense of peace as you float on a cloud of wonder.

As the University Singers took a bow and exited the stage, the New Pacers Singers took their place to perform Poor Wayfaring Stranger, arranged by Alexander Lloyd Blake. The piece is an American folk song that started off haunting but transitioned into an alluring piece. It also featured soloists Daila Taylor, Maddie Butner and Connor Bevan that provided stellar vocals throughout.

Next, Professor John Oelrich introduced members of the Italy Travel-Study Ensemble for their performance of The Road Home by Stephen Paulus. The music department took a travel-study to Italy this past summer which Oelrich described as “life-changing.” It was a unified piece that brought such a gentle atmosphere and brought tears to my eyes. It also featured a beautiful solo from Caroline Oldfather.

The performance was followed by the newly created ensemble, Skypops, led by junior Vocal Education major Grace McGregor. The ensemble performed Home, arranged by Ben See. It was sung a cappella—reminding me of the movie, Pitch Perfect. I also adored the song choice, which was suited well for each member’s voice.

The first dessert was brought out after the opening performances ended and featured the choice of a chocolate cake or carrot cake. I opted for the chocolate cake with sprinkles; it was very moist and tasty! As the audience feasted on their chosen dessert, it was time for solo and group performances with songs selected personally by members of the choir.

Maddie Butner performed I Don’t Need a Roof by Andrew Lippa, which was written for the film, Big Fish. Butner was accompanied by Jacob Callender on piano. The performance felt intense in a good way, as Butner captivated the crowd with strong vocals. Afterwards, the trio of Sarah Del Valle, Lily Stahr and Grace Browning graced the stage with their performance of Divine Hope. The song was entirely written by the group, which the audience was amazed by. Their voices sounded perfect together and they also sounded like sirens, in a mermaid way.

Following their performance, Markus Burton took the stage and performed a guitar solo of Rain by Rob Scallon. The performance brought a mellow atmosphere to the evening—reminding me of a chilly and rainy autumn day. Burton is a skilled guitarist and had the crowd in laughter with his witty personality.

The last performance, before the second dessert was brought out, featured Landen Dougherty, Connor Bevan, Jaden Shreeve and James McGregor. The group performed Blackbird, arranged by The Ringmasters and transcribed by Dougherty.

The second dessert was an assortment platter of fruit, cheese and crackers. It was hearty and delicious; I couldn’t help but to go back for seconds! As the audience feasted on the table platter, Skypops returned with a performance of Chandelier by Sia, arranged by Kyler McGehee. The song started off slow, but the intensity started picking up as the song progressed. It also featured a graceful solo by Grace McGregor. After their performance, Jay Barbrey performed Follow You to Virgie by Tyler Childers.

Then, Connor Bevan sung Fair House of Joy by Roger Quilter, with Tori Russell on piano. Bevan drew in the audience with his animated and enchanting voice. Followed shortly after was a performance of Edelweiss from The Sound of Music, arranged by Grace McGregor, who also sung with her husband James and his sister Emma. It was a beautiful tribute dedicated to Grace’s grandmother.

The last performance before the final dessert of the evening was All I Need by Radiohead. Thomas Holcomb delivered a fantastic rendition of the song with his impressive vocals and fantastic piano skills. It also made me emotional because it is my favorite song by the band.

The final dessert featured a choice of a cupcake with chocolate or strawberry frosting, courtesy of Amber Varvaro. I opted for the cupcake with strawberry frosting, and it was, by far, my favorite dessert of the evening. The cupcake was decorated in the cutest fashion and fluffy like a pillow.

As the evening wound down, the University Singers performed the piece Woodsmoke and Oranges by Ian Tamblyn with Thomas Holcomb and Connor Bevan on percussion. I love how they incorporated movement around the room and various types of instruments into their performance. The New Pacers also performed two songs, In The Middle by Dale Trumbore and Homeland by Grace Coberly. To close the event, both choirs came together to sing Fantasy in Orange and Blue by Michael Mathenia, which is based on the UT Martin Alma Mater by Dwight D. Gatwood and Kellie Corlew Jones and composed in celebration of the 125th anniversary of UT Martin.

This Dessert Evening was not only special for the audience to experience, but it was extra sweet for Olivia Vojnar, a senior Interdisciplinary Studies major. She has been apart of the choirs throughout her journey at UT Martin and will be graduating this December.

“Delivering desserts was probably the most stressful part of the evening, especially with a new area, but this being my last Dessert Evening as a student, it was very emotional. It was a lot to take in but was really beautiful,” Vojnar said.

Overall, this year’s Dessert Evening was a memorable event that captured the warmth and comfort of ‘Home’.

Support the UTM Choirs: http://giving.utm.edu/music