High School Vocalists Experience Greenville University Via Choral Fest

Published: April 13, 2021

On February 8, Greenville University hosted its annual High School Choral Festival in Whitlock Music Center.

The event brings high school choir students to campus for a day of choral performance, learning and competition.

Twelve high school choirs and their directors participated this year, about 230 students in total. They came from as far away as Bloomington and Marshall, Illinois.

This choral event is a highlight of our spring semester as we bring together area vocalists to sing great music en masse, feature student soloists in the evening concert and hear individual high school choirs perform for each other, says Louise Weiss, associate professor and department chair of music.

This is a service opportunity for G.U., and gives us an opportunity to extend our educational outreach, as well as recruit potential G.U. students, says Jeff Wilson, professor of music and director of choral activities at the University.

The day brings new opportunities for many students, like singing in a combined mass choir or receiving critiques on solos they perform for university voice instructors. Stand-out soloists perform solos in the evenings finale concert.

The students also get a taste of college life. Members of Greenville Universitys choir help with festival duties, sing with the high school students and even house them overnight.

High school students arent the only ones to benefit. Their directors also learn from the constructive feedback shared throughout the day, and take advantage of the time to network with peers.

The High School Choral Festival was founded by Professor Emeritus of Music James Wilson 45 years ago. Our hope is to continue the event for many years to come, says Weiss.

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Your support of student scholarships ushers a new generation of vocalists into Greenvilles long choral tradition. Thank you for giving.