Members of three local high school choirs recently came together at Slippery Rock University for the annual ChoralFest on Feb. 21, at Swope Music Hall, where students not only had their performances critiqued, but more importantly, celebrated the joy and community found in choral music.
The following high school choirs were on campus:
- Rocky Grove High School’s Select Choir under the direction of Jodi Hoover.
- Quaker Valley High School’s Vocal Ensemble, under the direction of Austin Wolford, a 2016 SRU graduate with a degree in music education.
- Karns City High School’s Concert Choir, under the direction of Haven Joseph-Lyon, a 2024 SRU graduate with a degree in music education.
The choirs participated in adjudicated performances with SRU music faculty as judges, along with coaching and workshop sessions, before all attendees, including SRU choirs, came together to conclude the day by performing in a public concert.
“This is one of our ways to give back to the community by providing a space for high school choirs to interact with our students and faculty,” said Timothy Little Tran, assistant professor of music, director of choral studies and the ChoralFest’s artistic director. “The high school students love to watch a different choir sing, and they enjoy coaching and learning in a different way. But most of all it’s a time to be together and everyone benefits from the spirit of collaboration.”
The event was hosted by the American Choral Directors Association’s SRU Chapter, along with SRU Choirs. Nate Presutti, a senior music education major from Clinton, is the president of SRU-ACDA, and Jenna Diem, a senior dual music education and music performance major from Rochester Mills, is the president of SRU Choirs.
For more information about SRU music programs, including choir ensembles, can be found on the department’s webpage.
