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The Barksdale Treble Chorus is named after MARTHA BARKSDALE.

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Martha Elizabeth Barksdale was a part of the first class to graduate from William & Mary that included women. She is the first woman to graduate from William & Mary and graduated in June of 1921 with a degree in English and Education. Later in her life she returns to William and Mary to teach at the college.

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Want to learn more? Explore our Special Collections online or in person in the Swem Library!

Barksdale
Treble Choir

A Creative Ensemble

Our History: 100 years!

Founded in 1923, the William & Mary Barksdale Treble Chorus was first known as the William and Mary Women's Chorus. 

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(more to come in this section!)

Information

The ensemble consists of approximately 50 undergraduate treble voices, of a wide variety of interests and majors. Auditions are formally held every fall for new, transfer, and exchange students, but we welcome auditions in the spring! (Just reach out to our director, Dr. B!) The course is a year-long academic course that yields one credit hour per semester. Due to its extracurricular reach the Chorus is also recognized as a student organization.

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The Treble Chorus sings approximately five concerts during the fall and seven during the spring. In the past we have sang at the historic Bruton Parish Church in Colonial Williamsburg performing a Candlelight Concert and our end of the semester concert at Phi Beta Kappa Hall, which features the entire choral department. However, with our new music building the Barksdale Treble Chorus and other ensembles have made great use of the concert hall in the 2023-2024 year. But we anticipate a future Candlelight Concert soon!

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In the past, during the spring semester the Treble Chorus has had the incredible opportunity to go on a tour up and down the East Coast. This allowed for the Chorus to sing in a variety of incredible locations, and for the community to hear what we do! If you are interested in hosting the Choir or suggesting a place to perform, please contact us.

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