On rehearsal nights, dozens of ISU alumni gather in the same choir room where many of them once spent countless hours as students. When the director raises his arms, voices that have been separated by years come together again.
This is the ISU Alumni Chamber Choir: 39 singers spanning four decades, reunited under longtime emeritus ISU Choral Director, Dr. Scott Anderson.
Allyson Johnson ‘05, who played a pivotal role in bringing the group together, said, “This project has been months and years in the making, but we finally did it!” After years of staying connected through friendships and shared memories, the choir reunited for rehearsals and its first concert in December 2025 and returned to the stage again in June 2026.
For many alumni, being part of the ISU Chamber Choir as students was where they found belonging. Haley (Jones) Baker ‘02, ‘08, who sang in the Chamber Choir from 1998–2001, said, “Shape my life? Choir was my life!”
“The music department became my home, and this choir in particular gave me a place of belonging,” said Johnson. “These people became family – they are the people who were in our weddings, who show up when we lose a parent, who we raise our kids with, who we work with.”
The Alumni Chamber Choir brings together singers from the 1990s through today.
“What has struck me most is how quickly those generational gaps disappear once we begin making music together,” said Shawn Bascom, ‘06, ‘17.
From Anderson’s perspective, time has added depth. “These former students sing with mature voices, capable of making vocal sounds with a palate of color not possible when they were 15–20 years younger,” he said.
For younger alumni, the choir offers a place to be challenged and connected across generations. Despite differences in age and experience, the group shares a common musical language — one shaped by years of working under the same director.
For many, the chance to work again with beloved choir director, Dr. Anderson, was a powerful draw. “Returning to sing under Dr. Anderson is both an honor and a privilege, and a chance to once again contribute to something collective, intentional and deeply beautiful,” said Bascom.
The choir represents singers from every ISU Chamber Choir Anderson conducted over his 30 years at the University prior to his retirement in 2024. “I view this Alumni Chamber Choir as one of the greatest opportunities of my career, or post-career!” he said. “There aren’t many conductors anywhere in the world who have the chance to gather such a group for regular rehearsals, and then perform together. It’s thrilling!”
Alumni credit Anderson not only with musical excellence, but with shaping who they became. “He demands greatness in a way that is both inspiring and a little terrifying, but the end result is gratifying beyond words,” Johnson said.
The lessons of the Alumni Chamber Choir extend far beyond the stage. “Chamber Choir taught me what it means to listen as much as I sing, and to be part of something larger than myself, a lesson that carries into many other contexts throughout life,” Bascom said.
Claire Dye ‘23, credits her experience in choir with shaping her career path.
“From working with Dr. Anderson in choir and Kathy Lane in her private studio, my love for classical music grew into something that I can’t imagine living without now,” she said.
For many, those lessons show up in careers, relationships, and daily life—a lasting influence rooted in shared experience.
At the June 13, 2026, ISU Alumni Chamber Choir concert, Anderson reflected on what the group has become.
“Standing behind me are about a dozen musical educators, medical professionals and alumni from a wide variety of backgrounds,” he shared with the audience, “but most importantly, they share that they trod the halls of ISU. Thank you for making this old heart feel plugged into some of my former students who I get to share new relationships with as adults.”
For many alumni, returning to sing together has reminded them that the lessons and connections they found at ISU never truly faded.
“We may not all know each other, but we understand the same language from our director,” said (Jones) Baker. “We are all passionate about achieving the same goal, and we all felt that singing in the ISU Chamber Choir changed us for the better. Being inspired by Dr. Anderson’s passion again has filled my cup to overflowing and is the homecoming I didn’t know I needed.”
