Rebecca Raber, DMA

Director of Choral Studies
Cappella & Concert Choir
Fellow in Catholic Studies

School of Arts & Sciences

51�Թ� Me

I have a deep passion for music and its special capacity to affect the human soul. My career has been built on my desire to encourage and develop my students’ musical gifts—all within and supported by a strong and intentional community. I seek to reveal the elements of truth, beauty, and goodness through sacred choral music, mingling the composer’s artistry with a sincere and intentional expression of the text, so that our singing transcends simple music and becomes prayer.

It is essential in our world that singers recognize, experience, and create beauty within it. Studies show that singing daily—particularly in community—strengthens musicians physically, intellectually, and spiritually. The choral art is best celebrated by singers knowing that they are part of something bigger than themselves. It is beautiful. That's the kind of experience I want to provide my students and share with our community.

Why I’m At Mary

My husband, Michael, who works in enrollment management, and I came to the University of Mary in 2016. It was such a blessing for us to work together again in an educational setting, something that we had really missed since beginning our teaching careers together years ago. We love the mission of the University of Mary and all of our colleagues and students who live out that mission each and every day, pouring out their lives in service to others.

Expertise

I have been teaching vocal and instrumental ensembles since 1994, now specializing in choral ensembles. I am the director of choral studies at the University of Mary, and direct Cappella (our nationally-acclaimed chapel choir) and the University of Mary Concert Choir. I have also taught music history, experiencing the sacred in music, secondary choral methods, advanced choral conducting, voice class to undergraduates, and music history, conducting, choral literature, and capstones to graduate students.

I have a particular interest in the appreciation and performance of spirituals, recognizing their capacity to build community. My research interests include spirituals & coded music, Gullah, requiem masses, and sacred music. I have researched spirituals extensively in my academic studies and am a co-founder of the Prairie Jubilee Singers, a choral ensemble dedicated to developing community through singing spirituals.

2020, "Steal Away: Music of the Underground Railroad," Prairie Jubilee Singers and the Bismarck Mandan Symphony Orchestra.

2020, "Coded Message Songs," MLK Celebration, Bismarck, ND.

2019, "Building Community Through Spirituals," North Dakota American Choral Directors Association Conference.

2018, "Conducting the Coded Message Songs of Slavery: Context, Connotations, and Performance Preparation," Lecture Recital.

2015, "Music Technology in the Classroom," North Dakota American Choral Directors Association Conference.

2014, "Study to Stage: Informing and Enhancing the Choral Rehearsal and Performance of the African-American Spiritual Repertory," Choral Music of the Americas Conference through American Choral Directors Association.

Numerous articles published by the Chorister (NDACDA), Melisma (NCACDA), and the New Earth.

Education

DMA (Choral Conducting): North Dakota State University, 2018
MA (Choral Conducting): University of North Dakota, 2001
BA (Music Education: Vocal/Instrumental)
BA (History/Political Science)

Feature Content

I am very active in the American Choral Directors Association, having previously served as state president, repertoire chair for male choirs, and membership chair. I have presided and presented at state and regional ACDA conferences, in addition to organizing and facilitating them, and revitalized the state website and professional journal (bringing it online).

I enjoy spending time with my husband, Michael, and our pups: Dot and Radar. Gardening, travel, photography, and college hockey are my favorite things to do!