Talented vocalists from 10 area high schools will have a college-level music experience Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18-19, during the Bismarck State College 17th annual ChoirFest.
After workshops and rehearsals with the professional vocal ensemble From Age to Age, the 84 high school students will combine with more than 50 BSC singers for a concert at 2 p.m. Saturday in Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck.
"This is more than double last year's high school participation," said conductor Andrew Miller, BSC vocal director.
The concert features an original choral work by Walton published composer, Arden Skoglund. Miller commissioned "Something of You" for the 134-voice mass choir assembled for this year's ChoirFest. Also premiering is Miller's composition, "Echo," which combines choir and electronic synthesizer and is based on a poem by Christina Rossetti. Other selections are "In Flanders Fields," a WWI memoriam song, and the gospel tune, "A City Called Heaven."
General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. They can be purchased at the door.
Area schools attending with their choral directors are Bismarck Century, Bismarck St. Mary's, Mandan, New Salem-Almont, Hazen, Hebron, Beulah, Strasburg, Zeeland, and Elgin-New Leipzig. Choir directors selected students for the two-day education event based on musical ability, interest in music, and commitment to their high school chorus.
BSC students performing during ChoirFest are members of the Concert Choir, Women's Chamber Chorus and the Chamber Singers, all directed by Miller; and the Men's Chamber Chorus directed by Dawn Hagerott, assistant professor of music.
Miller is founder and artistic director of From Age to Age, a Minnesota-based group gaining national attention. The ensemble has toured across the upper-Midwest, performed and provided clinics at American Choral Directors Association conventions, done workshops for collegiate and high school choirs, and performed on Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) and other nationally syndicated radio stations. Founded in 2007, From Age to Age is featured on MPR's "A Taste for the Holidays" Vol. II CD, and has collaborated with numerous other vocal ensembles. Watch From Age to Age in performance on YouTube.
Miller received his master's degree in choral conducting from Minnesota State University-Mankato in 2010. He is director of choral activities and assistant professor of music at BSC, where he teaches aural skills, choral conducting and music appreciation. His compositions are published through Santa Barbara Music Publishing Company and Hope Publishing Company.
ChoirFest provides a two-day music education and concert event for talented high school juniors and seniors. Students receive mentoring from BSC choir members during their experience and coaching from professional experts.
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About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.
After workshops and rehearsals with the professional vocal ensemble From Age to Age, the 84 high school students will combine with more than 50 BSC singers for a concert at 2 p.m. Saturday in Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck.
"This is more than double last year's high school participation," said conductor Andrew Miller, BSC vocal director.
The concert features an original choral work by Walton published composer, Arden Skoglund. Miller commissioned "Something of You" for the 134-voice mass choir assembled for this year's ChoirFest. Also premiering is Miller's composition, "Echo," which combines choir and electronic synthesizer and is based on a poem by Christina Rossetti. Other selections are "In Flanders Fields," a WWI memoriam song, and the gospel tune, "A City Called Heaven."
General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. They can be purchased at the door.
Area schools attending with their choral directors are Bismarck Century, Bismarck St. Mary's, Mandan, New Salem-Almont, Hazen, Hebron, Beulah, Strasburg, Zeeland, and Elgin-New Leipzig. Choir directors selected students for the two-day education event based on musical ability, interest in music, and commitment to their high school chorus.
BSC students performing during ChoirFest are members of the Concert Choir, Women's Chamber Chorus and the Chamber Singers, all directed by Miller; and the Men's Chamber Chorus directed by Dawn Hagerott, assistant professor of music.
Miller is founder and artistic director of From Age to Age, a Minnesota-based group gaining national attention. The ensemble has toured across the upper-Midwest, performed and provided clinics at American Choral Directors Association conventions, done workshops for collegiate and high school choirs, and performed on Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) and other nationally syndicated radio stations. Founded in 2007, From Age to Age is featured on MPR's "A Taste for the Holidays" Vol. II CD, and has collaborated with numerous other vocal ensembles. Watch From Age to Age in performance on YouTube.
Miller received his master's degree in choral conducting from Minnesota State University-Mankato in 2010. He is director of choral activities and assistant professor of music at BSC, where he teaches aural skills, choral conducting and music appreciation. His compositions are published through Santa Barbara Music Publishing Company and Hope Publishing Company.
ChoirFest provides a two-day music education and concert event for talented high school juniors and seniors. Students receive mentoring from BSC choir members during their experience and coaching from professional experts.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.