WMU takes top prize at international choral festival
June 3, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- WMU's University Chorale was recently named grand prize winner of Europe's International Robert Schumann Choral Competition.
Thirty-nine choirs from 16 countries were selected from recorded auditions to participate in the three-day competition May 16-19 in Zwickau, Germany. A panel of judges from Germany, Hungary, Russia and Sweden adjudicated the compulsory round and a final competition of compulsory round winners from each of several categories.
For the compulsory pieces, the University Chorale competed in "Difficulty Level I," the highest level of the mixed choir (male and female voices) category. The chorale won the category, receiving six gold medals in the process.
The final competition of category winners included two freely chosen a cappella pieces. The judges awarded grand prizes to two ensembles, a semi-professional group from Germany and the WMU University Chorale. The chorale is the first ensemble from the United States to receive the grand prize in the history of the festival.
Chorale members who performed at the Schumann Choral Competition are listed below.
In addition to receiving a cash prize of 2,500 Euro (about $2,400 U.S.), the chorale was selected to perform at the final award ceremony. Nations represented at this year's competition were Brazil, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, South Africa, Ukraine, Hungary, and the United States.
Held every four years, the Robert Schumann Choral Competition is part of the "Musica Mundi" series of European festivals and competitions. Musica Mundi brings together amateur and semi-professional choirs in different categories and levels of difficulty. The festival series has earned a worldwide reputation through approximately 50 events involving more than 100,000 participants from about 70 countries since 1988.
Devoted to choral master works, the University Chorale's select membership of 32 voices is chosen by audition. In addition to performances on campus and throughout the United States, the group tours and performs internationally at least once every three years. Competing in the Schumann competition was part of a two-week European tour by the chorale, which performed in Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands.
The University Chorale is conducted by Dr. Joe Miller, director of choral studies and associate professor of music. He also conducts the Collegiate Singers and Grand Chorus, and teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in choral conducting and literature. Miller has directed honors choirs in California, Louisiana, Indiana, and Michigan including the American Choral Directors Association California Coastal Regional Honors Choir. He has judged competitions and auditions for ACDA, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, the Michigan School Vocal Music Association, and the California Music Educators Association. Miller is president of ACDA Michigan.
University Chorale members who performed at the 2002 International Robert Schumann Choral Competition in Germany were:
Robin M. Agne sings alto with the University Chorale and is a sophomore vocal performance major from Otsego, Mich.
Joseph Beutel sings bass with the University Chorale and is a freshman jazz studies major from Fort Wayne, Ind.
Timothy C. Buchholz is a tenor with the University Chorale, a member of the Lee Honors College and a freshman jazz studies major from Stevens Point, Wis.
Lynn Buikema is a soprano with the University Chorale and a senior elementary education major from Muskegon, Mich.
Jeff Cachero sings bass with the University Chorale and is a senior music education major from Killeen, Texas.
Katie Campbell is a soprano with the University Chorale and a sophomore jazz studies major from North Hollywood, Calif.
R. Kevin Clay sings bass with the University Chorale and is a sophomore music education major from Rockford, Mich.
Sean Closz is a tenor with the University Chorale and a sophomore music education major from Muskegon, Mich.
Erin Cramer sings alto with the University Chorale and is a senior music major from Coopersville, Mich.
Molly Crookedacre is a soprano with the University Chorale and a sophomore music education major from Haslett, Mich.
Courtney Dana sings alto with the University Chorale and is a member of the Lee Honors College and a sophomore vocal performance major from Saline, Mich.
Dan DeRushia is a tenor with the University Chorale and a sophomore vocal performance major from Traverse City, Mich.
Kristin Dethlefsen is a soprano with the University Chorale and a junior vocal performance major from Okemos, Mich.
Sarah Dietsche sings alto with the University Chorale and is a member of the Lee Honors College and a junior jazz studies major from New Auburn, Wis.
Bradley D. Erbes is a tenor with the University Chorale and a senior vocal performance major from Jenison, Mich.
Chris Fenner sings bass with the University Chorale and is a member of the Lee Honors College and a junior music education major from Kalamazoo.
Anthony Funaro is a tenor with the University Chorale and a sophomore music education major from Ada, Mich.
Mark Galante is a tenor with the University Chorale and a sophomore music education major from Grand Rapids, Mich.
Dominic Hester sings bass with the University Chorale and is a junior vocal performance major from Clinton Township, Mich.
Rachel Hinsdale sings alto with the University Chorale and is a senior vocal performance major from Hinsdale, Ill.
Chris Hodson is a tenor with the University Chorale and a sophomore vocal performance and music education major from Coldwater, Mich.
David Jackson is a tenor with the University Chorale and a freshman music education major from Kingsley, Mich.
Sheri A. Jaffe sings alto with the University Chorale and is a sophomore music education major from Ann Arbor, Mich.
Kristin Kenning is a soprano with the University Chorale, a member of the Lee Honors College and a sophomore vocal performance major from Warren, Mich.
Jason Robert Konkel sings bass with the University Chorale and is a sophomore music education major from Jackson, Mich.
Leah Krznarich is a soprano with the University Chorale, a member of the Lee Honors College and a senior vocal performance major from Hancock, Mich.
Jeremy Landig sings bass with the University Chorale and is a graduate choral conducting major from Neenah, Wis.
Susan Musselman is a soprano with the University Chorale and a senior vocal performance major from Kalamazoo.
Susan Rice sings alto with the University Chorale and is a graduate choral conducting major from Munroe Falls, Ohio.
Gretchen Ross sings alto with the University Chorale and is a junior vocal performance major from Grayling, Mich.
Micah Schirado sings bass with the University Chorale and is a senior music education major from Rockford, Mich.
MaryBeth Schondelmayer sings alto with the University Chorale and is a senior music education major from Midland, Mich.
Scott Schwartz sings bass with the University Chorale and is a sophomore music education major from West Bloomfield, Mich.
Anna Stewart sings alto with the University Chorale and is a senior piano performance major from Algonac, Mich.
Katie Tower is a soprano with the University Chorale and a senior music major from Fenton, Mich.
Whitney Wade sings alto with the University Chorale and is a junior music education major from Stevensville, Mich.
Aaron Wardell sings bass with the University Chorale and is a junior vocal performance major from Williamston, Mich.
Media contact: Kevin West, 269 387-4678, kevin.west@wmich.edu