May 6, 2026

Deborah Simpkin King will conduct the final MSM Chorale and Chamber Choir concert of the semester on Monday, May 11 at 7:30 PM in Neidorff-Karpati Hall.  We spoke with Dr. King about the concert, MSM Choirs, and her advice for incoming students.

Tell us about the MSM Chorale and Chamber Choir Concert! What pieces are you performing?

Deborah: The inspiration for the concert we call “Human Expression in Song” was just that—the incredible volume and richness of choral repertoire through the ages. The program sort of travels through time, touching upon various styles and subject matter, like 19th Century Schubert (his setting of the Latin Mass in G-major) and Wagner (from Lohengrin), into the 20th Century with Charles Villiers Stanford; then some music of our own time, with now-classics by Morten Lauridsen and Frank Ticheli, and more currently, Ola Gijelo, Jennifer Lucy Cook, and others. Text sources include the one and only female mediaeval mystic, Hildegard von Bingen, a 21st Century gender-expansive poem called “They Are Mother,” and so much more!

In addition to the variety of styles and periods, four different ensembles will be heard: The full MSM Chorale, subset ensembles of Chorale Women and Chorale Men, and Chamber Choir. All ensembles are open by audition to students from any major and any class, and rehearse twice weekly. Freshman through graduate students are currently represented in all, and majors from voice, piano, composition, music theatre, jazz, conducting and instrumental studies departments. It’s a mix that brings a breadth of experience and perspective, deepening the artistic and educational experience. The upcoming concert is the primary performance this semester for Chorale; Chamber Choir’s recent appearance at Merkin Hall, singing Bach and premiering a Fusco requiem, is one of several events that have taken this smaller ensemble off campus this year.

What are some of your favorite moments from the 2025-2026 season?

Deborah: Certainly, one of them, from just a few weeks ago, was the experience Chamber Choir had both in working with and then performing the work of brilliant composer Raphael Fusco! Our performance of his work, An American Requiem, was the finalé of MSM’s Bach Week – and had the composer in tears! Another was watching last September’s performance of the same group at St. Bartholomew’s Church with MSM alum Chloe Flower, as the musical support for Prabal Gurung’s Fashion Week presentation.

Equally gratifying was the involvement of 16 of our singers (both Chorale and Chamber Choir) in the production of Jeanine Tesori’s opera Blue last November, for which I was contracted to form and train a choir of singers from throughout the NYC area. This was the first time a choir (which was part of Jeanine’s original vision for the opera) had been possible – and our students were there, in David Geffen Hall, singing the premiere!

But, in truth, virtually every rehearsal holds a moment here and there where things “click” in new or heightened ways. Highlights of the season are wonderful, of course; yet, the growth that takes place often in more subtle ways is equally satisfying.

What is your favorite part about teaching at MSM?

Deborah: Making music ‘ensemble’ (‘together’) is, for me, one of life’s greatest joys; and I am blessed to experience this in many places and with many wonderful people. Being able to share this artistic and deeply human experience with the very talented emerging artists at MSM, and having the opportunity to play a role in their growth and development, is the reason I am here. Through each interaction, I see the formation of our future in wonderful ways! This, very simply, is my favorite part.

-having said which, interacting with the incredible faculty and administration of MSM is continually inspiring and enjoyable. Our interactions are unfailingly motivated by what is best for the students, and that makes collaboration on all levels a joy.

And it is a joy to see the choral program at MSM develop – and in ways that are unique to our beloved conservatory. I am particularly pleased to be taking the MSM students, increasingly, off campus into NYC to perform. It was both gratifying and artistically satisfying to see the choral program included in this year’s Bach Week. I am also delighted to see the choirs involved with the Composition Department’s composer commissioning project.

Tell us about the MSM Chorale and Chamber Choir ensembles! Who performs in them?

Deborah: As mentioned earlier, students from any major and of all levels are welcome to audition for either ensemble, and are represented in both currently. The repertoire for Chorale includes primarily repertoire of the Common Practice Period (ie, tonal music), both concerted works and music from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Chamber Choir repertoire is more varied, and a bit more challenging, and often has students working directly with composers of what they are preparing. Chamber Singers rehearsals are designed to prepare students with a possible interest in professional ensemble work beyond graduation for the skills necessary for that.

What would you like to tell incoming students who will join these ensembles in the fall?

Deborah: Singing in ensemble is the laboratory in which all subjects you will be studying come together, from your individual studio work, to music history and theory, to aural skills, to languages and even literature. Every part of who you are – as a person; as an artist – can become part of the musical universe we build together. Expect to have fun – in hard-working, well-focused sorts of ways! – making music with other young artists you are likely to know throughout your professional life.

Any fun summer plans?

Deborah: In addition to having some time for gardening (my non-music hobby), I always look forward to spending some time with my sons and step-daughter, and their families. The summer always includes the Chorus America Conference, and a great deal of repertoire research and planning for the coming seasons. And my husband and I will spend a couple of weeks in August in Umbria and Rome.