Austin Peay State University vocal students received world-class advice when members of Chanticleer came in for a special guest workshop in Monday’s 10 a.m. University Choir course.

Founded in 1978 by Louis Botto, Chanticleer won the Grammy award for Best Small Ensemble Performance in 1999 and 2002 and Best Classical Contemporary Composition in 2002. Tenor singers Andrew Van Allsburg, Vineel Garisa Mahal and Matthew Mazzola represented the group for the session. High school students also attended, paying eager attention to the lesson given on the George and Sharon Mabry Concert Hall stage.

The session was a masterclass in choral singing, with the instructors emphasizing techniques to improve tone, diction and resonance.

“They were so friendly and helpful, and we immediately saw improvements in our ensemble,” said Alysia Norales, an alto in the University Choir course.

At the end of the session, students could ask questions and receive advice on how to get started in the music industry. The representatives noted that Chanticleer holds annual auditions to gain new members and encouraged the students to also try out for other ensembles.