NW Choral Society to participate in 'World Choir Games'
Twenty-seven members of the Northwest Choral Society will travel to Cincinnati, Ohio, July 10-14, to participate in the World Choir Games, the Olympics of choral music.
“This is the first time the group has taken a ‘road trip' and our members are really excited at the learning opportunities this event will offer,” said NWCS artistic director Alan Wellman.
The World Choir Games is the largest international choral competition in the world, held every two years. More than 360 choirs from 48 countries have registered to participate in Cincinnati. This includes approximately 80 regional choirs, representing 25 U.S. states. NWCS is one of three participating from Illinois. Previous games have been in Austria, China, Germany and South Korea. This will be the seventh World Choir Games, and it is being held in the United States for the first time.
Although the seventh World Choir Games provide for international competition in 23 musical categories, ranging from children's choirs to show choirs and jazz to barbershop, the NWCS will perform for a noncompetitive evaluation and coaching. The group will perform three pieces for a panel of international experts, who will offer coaching suggestions at the conclusion. During a separate session, an internationally respected choral music expert will rehearse with the choir one of the pieces in order to provide new artistic ideas.
“Comments of this panel of choral experts will provide an important opportunity for self-reflection for our group,” said Wellman. “NWCS normally takes the summer off from its performance schedule, but this will provide an excellent opportunity to work on our technique, while enjoying Cincinnati.”
Choir member Mary Jane Matecki of Mount Prospect said, “The opportunity to listen to and meet choir members from all over the world during these five days will be a wonderful chance for our group to expand its abilities and progress to the next level. We are really looking forward to the trip.”
Founded in 1965, the Northwest Choral Society is a nonprofit organization that promotes and encourages the appreciation, understanding and performance of a wide variety of outstanding choral literature. Its adult membership resides in Chicago and the Northwest suburbs.
The Northwest Choral Society performs concerts in Northwest suburban venues in December, March and June. It invites experienced singers to audition to join the organization. Basses, tenors, altos and sopranos with previous choral experience, and 17 years of age, can obtain additional information about the Northwest Choral Society at www.nwchoralsociety.org.
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