The Fifth Annual Marshall
University High School Chamber Choir Invitational
on Saturday, April 13, 2013
Dear Colleague,
You and your choral ensemble are invited to perform at the fifth annual Marshall University High School Chamber Choir Invitational on Saturday, April 13, 2013. This event is dedicated to presenting the region’s finest high school choral chamber ensembles in a non-competitive, yet adjudicated festival format. Each ensemble will have the opportunity to present a short formal concert and then work with our guest clinician, Dr. Timothy Sharp, Executive Director of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). Each ensemble will also receive written comments from two other judges including the Director of Choral Activities at Marshall University, Dr. David Castleberry.
Registration for this year’s Chamber Choir Invitational will be conducted online. To register your ensemble, please visit the MU Department of Music website at www.marshall.edu/cofa/music and select “Chamber Choir Invitational” from the menu on the left of the page. On that page you will find the online registration form. The online registration form does not require you to print and fax (or mail) anything, as it will automatically send the information to the festival database once you select “submit.” If you wish instead, I can email you a PDF form that you may fill out and then fax (or scan and email) back to me at (304) 696-4379.
No matter how you choose to register your ensemble, please fill out the form completely, giving special attention to the category labeled “Performance Preferences.” Ensembles may perform for “Ratings and Comments” or “Comments Only.” Those selecting “Ratings and Comments” will receive comments adjudicated on the commonly-used scale of I –V. (I = Superior, II = Excellent, III = Satisfactory, etc.) Those selecting “Comments Only” will receive comments from all three judges but will not receive a rating. In either case, your ensemble will work with Dr. Sharp. In order for all participating groups to have equal time with the clinician, programs must be kept to a maximum of 12 minutes. To help facilitate this, two (2) songs for performance are required with the opportunity (time permitting) to perform three (3). Please make certain that the repertoire listed adheres to this time limit. Most importantly, the deadline to register is Friday, March 15th.
There is no charge to participate in this event. Each director will be given a CD of his or her choir’s performance as well as a DVD of the workshop session with Dr. Sharp. A confirmation email will be sent upon receipt of the festival registration form. Following the registration deadline, March 15, a performance schedule will be sent via email. Along with the schedule, you will be sent a stage set-up form asking for pertinent information concerning the stage needs of your ensemble.
We hope that you will choose to perform at this year’s festival. All festival information can also be found by visiting the Marshall University Department of Music website at www.marshall.edu/cofa/music. If you have any questions, please email Mr. Robert Wray, Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education, at wrayr@marshall.edu or call (304) 696-2399.
Robert Wray
Assistant Professor Choral Music Education
Marshall University