2008 Woodie Awards
Women's Choir Festival Offers Entertainment For All Ages
Katie Kroll
Issue date: 3/3/05 Section: Arts
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Over 200 participants from all over the East Coast are expected to attend the first-ever Women's Eastern Division American Choral Director's Association Women's Choir Festival this weekend. In addition to a variety of workshops for the singers and conductors who attend, the festival includes two performances for the community on Friday and Saturday nights.
Organizers have termed the festival multigenerational. Deanna Joseph, who directs the Smith College Chorus, says she's looking forward to mixing the age groups together. "Everyone has to sing in grade school," she says, "a lot of people sing in high school, fewer people sing in college, and then people sing when they retire. I'm looking at it as an opportunity to foster the idea that singing is not just for the really young and the really old. For the singers, that's going to be a really great thing."
She adds that it will also be good for audience members. "We're doing music that appeals to all the age groups," she says. Other groups performing on Friday night include two high school choirs and an adult choir from Vermont, Bella Voce. Highlights of the evening will likely include Monica Jakuc's performance as she accompanies the Smith College Chorus on fortepiano. Special guest Grant Moss will also accompany the chorus on organ.
While the singers rehearse for Saturday night's performance, "The conductors are going to have two master classes on conducting, a session where they can hear new music for women's choirs, and a session on vocal techniques for women's voices," Joseph said.
Saturday night will add an all-festival chorus to the line-up, which will include the Smith College Glee Club and Chamber Singers.
Organizers have termed the festival multigenerational. Deanna Joseph, who directs the Smith College Chorus, says she's looking forward to mixing the age groups together. "Everyone has to sing in grade school," she says, "a lot of people sing in high school, fewer people sing in college, and then people sing when they retire. I'm looking at it as an opportunity to foster the idea that singing is not just for the really young and the really old. For the singers, that's going to be a really great thing."
She adds that it will also be good for audience members. "We're doing music that appeals to all the age groups," she says. Other groups performing on Friday night include two high school choirs and an adult choir from Vermont, Bella Voce. Highlights of the evening will likely include Monica Jakuc's performance as she accompanies the Smith College Chorus on fortepiano. Special guest Grant Moss will also accompany the chorus on organ.
While the singers rehearse for Saturday night's performance, "The conductors are going to have two master classes on conducting, a session where they can hear new music for women's choirs, and a session on vocal techniques for women's voices," Joseph said.
Saturday night will add an all-festival chorus to the line-up, which will include the Smith College Glee Club and Chamber Singers.