Chorale selected for prestigious New York performances
July 26, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- Two months after taking the grand prize at the International Robert Schumann Choral Competition in Germany, WMU's University Chorale has received another major accolade.
Dr. Joe Miller, director of choral studies and associate professor of music, was informed earlier this month that the University Chorale was selected to perform at the national convention of the American Choral Directors Association in New York City Feb. 11-15, 2003. The 32-voice WMU choir was chosen through a rigorous "blind" tape audition process.
ACDA sponsors a national convention bi-annually. According to Gene Brooks, executive director, the association received the largest number of audition tapes in its history for the opportunity to perform at the 2003 convention, which is expected to draw a record attendance of more than 6,000 choral conductors.
In her letter informing Miller of the chorale's selection, convention chair Mitzi Groom wrote, "Congratulations on your acceptance into a small realm of America's finest choirs!"
University Chorale will present three concert sessions at the convention. Each is expected to draw a capacity crowd of about 2,000 attendees. A specially commissioned work is routinely presented at the ACDA national convention. For the 2003 convention, composer Rene Clausen has been commissioned to create a work commemorating the victims and heroes of the Sept. 11 tragedy at the World Trade Center.
Founded in 1959, the American Choral Directors Association is a nonprofit music education organization, which promotes excellence in choral music through performance, composition, publication, research, and teaching. ACDA's membership of 18,000 choral directors represents more than 1 million singers throughout the United States.
Media contact: Kevin West, 269 387-4678, kevin.west@wmich.edu