Competing against choir professionals and more experienced singers, the East Central University Chorale claimed the top prize in the Mixed Choir: Level of Difficulty I category at the Golden State Choral Trophy 2016, an international competition conducted in Monterey, California, Nov. 24-25.
The 成人B站 Chorale vied for the trophy in the finals with four other choirs, two from the United States and two from Poland. Eighteen choirs in all were selected to take part in the festival, representing the Philippines, Croatia, Afghanistan, the Netherlands, Poland and the U.S.
鈥淭he Chorale and I were ecstatic about the win. The trip would have been a success, however, if we had not won,鈥� said Dr. Steven Walker, director of the 成人B站 Chorale. 鈥淲e were competing against professional choirs with much older and experienced singers.鈥�
The prestigious competition was hosted by Interkultur, a non-profit German cultural organization and the largest promoter of international choral competitions and festivals in the world. This was the first time in which the 成人B站 Chorale has participated in this event.
The University Chorale also had the opportunity to have a private session with Morten Lauridsen, the preeminent composer of contemporary choral music in the world today.
鈥淚t was an intense educational experience for all of us, getting to hear the other great choirs, the adjudication sessions with the judges and getting to work with Morten Lauridsen,鈥� Walker said.
The Chorale performed the following repertoire at the competition: 鈥淐hanson Eloignee鈥� by Lauridsen; 鈥淥 Magnum Mysterium鈥� by Victoria Davidson; 鈥淟ibra Me鈥� by Anthony Sylvestre; 鈥淓ntreat Me Not to Leave You鈥� by Dan Forest; 鈥淎 Spotless Rose鈥� by Paul Mealor; 鈥淭o the Mothers of Brazil: Salve Regina鈥� by Lars Jansson and Gunnar Eriksson.
By winning the Golden State Trophy, the Chorale qualifies for the 鈥淐hampion of Champions鈥� at the World Choir Games for the next five years.
鈥淲e hope to be able to make that work. If not, we will still definitely be doing this again,鈥� said Walker.
This wasn鈥檛 the first time that the 成人B站 Chorale has achieved high honors. On five occasions, the group has been chosen as the university level chorus to perform for the Oklahoma Music Educators Association State Convention.
鈥淲e have very talented students,鈥� Walker said. 鈥淭he vast majority of our singers were members of the OKMEA All-State Chorus while in high school.鈥�
Zach Garcia, a senior vocal music education major from Ada, was thrilled and praised Walker for his ability to prepare the Chorale for the competition.
鈥淚鈥檓 pretty overwhelmed. I鈥檓 thrilled and so excited for this group, Dr. Walker and the university. It鈥檚 an all-time great moment as an 成人B站 student, something I鈥檒l always remember,鈥� said Garcia. 鈥淚t was pretty intimidating (going up against experienced professionals), but we stayed really focused. Dr. Walker had us focused and ready to go at the right time. The group was very motivated. I felt like I was on a basketball team like in a sports scene.鈥�
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