West Virginia University will host its first High School Choral Festival on Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Creative Arts Center.

“More than 600 choristers will attend the festival, and all of them will participate in a festival choir under the direction of Eric Whitacre, singing ‘Sleep’ and ‘The Seal Lullaby,’” said Kym Scott, Director of Choral Activities for WVU’s School of Music.

A Grammy-wining composer and conductor, Whitacre is one of the most popular musicians of his generation. His concert music has been performed throughout the world by millions of amateur and professional musicians, while his groundbreaking virtual choirs have united singers from over 110 different countries.

In addition to the massed choir, four school choirs were chosen to work individually with Whitacre on a work by the composer. These works will be performed in the final concert prior to the massed choir performance. The concert will also feature a performance by the WVU Chamber Singers.

The festival will begin with registration at 9 a.m. The concert will take place at 3:30 p.m. in the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre in the Creative Arts Center. In additional to the choral performances, the concert will also feature an interview with Whitacre and a short question-and-answer session where he’ll interact with participating choir members.

For tickets and information, call the WVU Box Office at 304-293-SHOW.

-WVU-

dw/02/16/16

CONTACT: David Welsh, WVU College of Creative Arts
304.293.3397; David.Welsh@mail.wvu.edu

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