Welcome to Chorus Abilene,
Promoting Choral Music through
performance & participation

325.673.SING (7464) or
info@chorusabilene.net

Meet Abigail Payne, new Executive Director as of August 1!

Abigail is a graduate of the University of North
Carolina School of the Arts, where she earned
a Masters of Music in Collaborative Piano as a
student of Allison Gagnon. She graduated
magna cum laude with a B.A. in Piano from
Abilene Christian University and also studied
with pianist/coach Dale Fundling of the
Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. 

As an active pianist, Abigail has been a performing
participant at the Vancouver International Song
Institute and has performed as a soloist and
collaborative pianist in masterclasses with
distinguished musicians such as Thomas Pasatieri,
Rachel Barton-Pine, Aldo Mancinelli, Cameron
Stowe, Lee Thompson, Lenora Eve, Eugenia
Grunwald, Mary Saunders-Barton, Anton Nel,
Rudolf Rudnynstky, and Joyce Farwell.   

She has a passion for opera and has been a pianist/coach and musical director for Opera Breve, Red River Lyric, and the Hardin-Simmons University opera program.  She is currently the
collaborative artist in residence for the Church of the Heavenly Rest Chamber Music Concert Series.  In addition to being in demand as a pianist and coach, she is the Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra where her primary focus is the Abilene Youth Orchestra.  

Abigail says, “Having been both a choral accompanist and choir member for many years, I am honored to have been selected as Executive Director of Chorus Abilene.  I am very excited to begin my work.”   Abigail has a passion for arts education and young people and is particularly looking forward to reaching out to students in the Big Country and introducing them to the youth choruses of Chorus Abilene.  

While Abigail enjoys an active career as a professional musician and arts administator, she says her most important job is being mother to her daughter, Josephine.

She will be taking over from long-time executive director, Gwynn Haseltine. Gwynn has served Chorus Abilene as executive director since 2002 and is the only person to have held the position. She is retiring this year and looking forward to lots of travel in the future. Gwynn says, “I am so happy to have someone like Abigail taking over the leadership of Chorus Abilene. She has the perfect blend of abilities and experiences to be just what is needed!”

Have a young singer who would like to participate with
us next season? Sign up for a 10 minute online audition
time.
SIGN UP HERE!

COVID-19 Protocol

All singers will wear a mask.

Social distancing will be maintained

Rehearsal length will be 30 minutes.

Rehearsals will begin with separate individual sections

Music will be sent out electronically

The option is available to tune into rehearsal via Zoom if feeling unwell.