CWU to welcome high school choirs for Fall Choral Classic

The CWU Music Department will host more than 900 high school students on two separate days next week for the annual Fall Choral Classic.

The noncompetitive festival in McIntyre Hall is designed to embrace choirs where they are and help guide them to the next level of excellence. Two groups of nearly 500 singers will attend one of the two days.

The adjudicators for the November 19-20 event will include CWU Professors Vijay Singh, Nicole Lamartine, and Scott Peterson; North Idaho College Professor Max Mendez; and Pacific Youth Choir Artistic Director Chris Maunu.

Students will watch performances by peer groups, work with CWU choral faculty during their on-stage performances, and participate in a performance clinic. Each choir will have 20 minutes on stage and will then attend a 20-minute clinic in a choir room.

They will also attend workshops on choral leadership led by Central students and will enjoy performances by five Central choral ensembles, including the internationally recognized Vocal Jazz 1 and CWU Chamber Choir.

Choirs from Central Washington registered for the festival are Eisenhower High School of Yakima, Eastmont High School of East Wenatchee; Moses Lake High School; Ephrata High School; Hanford High School; Kennewick High School; and Southridge High School.

Other participants include: Auburn; Auburn Riverside; Kentridge; Redmond; South Kitsap; Bonney Lake; Steilacoom; Bellarmine Prep; Harrison Prep; Meadowdale; Seattle Prep; Silas; Tahoma; and Union.