Upcoming Performances

November 6, 2025 at 7 pm: Carson-Newman’s annual oratorio concert features the university’s 50th performance of Messiah, featuring the closing chorus, “Worthy is the Lamb.” Performed in collaboration with Gibbs High School (Will Brimer, director).

Past Notable Performances

May 2017: Haydn's Creation at Northwest UMC in Columbus Ohio, with soloists Laura Portune Cordell, Benjamin Bunsold and Jaman Dunn.

November 2017: "The German Baroque", focusing on the music of Martin Luther and featuring BWV 80 "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott" by J.S. Bach.  Held at the Reyes Organ Hall in the DeBartolo Peforming Arts Center at Notre Dame.

July 2018: Scholar Participant, Chorus America Conducting Academy at Cal State-Fullerton.

August 2018: Conducting Fellow, Norfolk Chamber Music and Choral Conducting Workshop in western Connecticut.

October 2018: “Beyond Scripture” program; Brandon's second DMA conducting recital which featured Schoenberg’s “Geistliches Lied” and Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb. With Myles Hayden and JJ Mitchell as organists. Held inside the Reyes Organ Hall.

March 28, 2019: Performance with Dr. Carmen-Helena Tellez and fellow Sacred Music students in a concert presentation of the music of Philip Glass, who was in attendance for the performance.

November 10, 2019: Brandon’s doctoral lecture recital, featuring Bach’s Easter cantata, “Christ lag in Todesbanden,” and Steve Reich’s Tehillim. This monumental event featured the Notre Dame Master’s octet singing the Bach along with GRAMMY-award winning ensemble Third Coast Percussion serving as the core percussionists for Tehillim. The singers for Tehillim were Jamie Caporizo, Halle McGuire-Hobbins, Alissa Plenzler and Jessica Roberts.

January 8, 2021: An online solo piano recital that served as a fundraiser the soup kitchen ministry at First UMC. Featuring composers George Gershwin, John Adams, and Beethoven’s “Waldstein” sonata.

2021 and ‘23: Part I of Handel's Messiah through Carson-Newman University. With South-Doyle High School ‘21 (Hannah Berkley, conductor) and Heritage High School ‘23 (Tyler Owens, conductor).

November 2022: Carson-Newman’s Fall Oratorio concert including performances of Vivaldi’s Magnificat and Faure’s Requiem. With the Jefferson County High School Patriot Singers (Lindsey Lively, director).

February 2025: Carson-Newman’s annual oratorio concert, featuring Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living and Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, with Dr. Ryan Fogg on piano.