PULLMAN, Wash. – Fourteen high school choirs from throughout Washington and Idaho will participate in the 21st annual day-long choral festival Saturday, Oct. 18, in Kimbrough Hall at Washington State University. Performances throughout the day are free to the public, as is the closing concert at 5 p.m. in Bryan Hall.
During the festival, WSU music faculty assist high school programs in providing an early, motivational opportunity for musical growth in a non-competitive, positive learning environment. Choir performances and workshops continue through the day and directors meet to discuss goals and objectives.
High school participants will hear performances by the WSU Opera Workshop, University Singers and VoJazz. WSU faculty Lori Wiest, Julie Anne Wieck, Sheila Converse, Dean Luethi and Brian Carter will serve as clinicians.
The evening concert will include four high school choirs selected during the day as well as the WSU Madrigal/Chamber Singers and Concert Choir.
The Madrigal/Chamber Singers will perform English and French secular music of the Renaissance, including madrigals from the “Triumphs of Oriana” by Michael East and Thomas Morley, “Draw On Sweet Night” by John Wilbye, “My Bonny Lass She Smileth” by Thomas Morley and a French chanson by Adrian Willaert.
The WSU Concert Choir will perform “Cantate Domino” by Claudio Monteverdi, “Jesu, Dulcis Memoria” by 20th century French composer Pierre Villette, “Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal” arranged by contemporary composer Alice Parker and “Evening Prayer” by contemporary Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo featuring WSU School of Music faculty member David Hagelganz on tenor saxophone and graduate student Alberto Ferro on piano.
Participating high school choirs include:
Moscow High School Choir, Pullman High School Treble Triad and Advanced Ensemble, Lindbergh High School Ad Astra (Renton), Moses Lake High School Women’s Ensemble and Men’s Choir, Cashmere High School Concert Choir and Girls’ Ensemble, Royal High School Chamber Choir (Royal City), Shadle Park High School Highlander Chorale (Spokane), Lewis and Clark High School Chamber Choir (Spokane), Othello High School Chamber Choir, Lamanna High School Choir (Priest River, Idaho) and Auburn High School Chamber Choir.
Contacts:
Lori Wiest, WSU School of Music, lwiest@wsu.edu, 509-335-5647
Sandra Albers, WSU School of Music, sandra_albers@wsu.edu, 509-335-4148