WSU Concert Choir conducted by Lori Wiest.
PULLMAN, Wash. – A new mass choir performance will highlight the concert that concludes the 18th annual Educational Choral Festival 5-6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, in Bryan Hall Theatre at Washington State University. The concert and festival events are free to the public.
Sponsored by the WSU School of Music, the festival assists high school and junior high/middle school programs in providing an early, motivational opportunity for musical growth in a non-competitive, positive environment.
WSU faculty work with choirs in individual workshops and performances throughout the day. Ensemble directors meet with faculty to consult on the year’s goals and objectives for their choirs.
WSU faculty Lori Wiest, Julie Anne Wieck, Sheila Converse and Dean Luethi will serve as clinicians. Throughout the day, participants will hear performances by the WSU Opera Workshop, directed by Wieck, and the University Singers and VoJazz, directed by Luethi.
The 5 p.m. concert will open with the WSU Madrigal/Chamber Singers, conducted by Wiest, performing Spanish and English music from both the Renaissance and contemporary periods. It will conclude with Wiest conducting the WSU Concert Choir in music based on texts inspired by evening and nature: Two pieces by Felix Mendelssohn, “Beau Soir” by Claude Debussy, “The Stars Stand Up in the Air” by Eric Barnum, “How Still It Is” by Stephen Chatman and “Laughing Song” by David Dickau.
In between the WSU groups, four of the day’s top-performing high school choirs will sing. Also, there will be a mass choral performance by the students of “Calling My Children Home,” a spiritual arranged by Joseph H. Jennings of the men’s vocal ensemble Chanticleer.
Participating choirs include Shadle Park High School Highlanders from Spokane, Pasco High School Encore, Moses Lake High School Concert Choir and Treble Choir, Auburn High School Chamber Choir, Kamiakin High School Scarlet and Gold Singers from Kennewick, and Lindbergh high School Ad Astra Choir from Renton.
Sources:
Lori Wiest, 509-335-5647, lwiest@wsu.edu
Lori Wiest, 509-335-5647, lwiest@wsu.edu
Sandra Albers, 509-335-4148, sandra_albers@wsu.edu