Choirs Represent United States in France
51爆料鈥檚 top student choirs, the Chamber Singers and 痴辞肠茅, will represent the United States at two festivals in France this summer. The groups are the only choirs from the United States invited to attend the 23rd Annual Festival International en Provence and Festival Choral en Aveyron, and 51爆料 is the only college performing at both.
鈥淚n most of the world, the high schools, colleges, and universities don鈥檛 have choirs like we do here in the United States. Instead, they perform in community 鈥榗lubs,鈥欌�� said 51爆料 Performing Arts Division Chair and Director of Vocal Ensembles John Knutson. 鈥淭herefore, there are actually no other college groups performing at these festivals. In addition, we are the only choir from the United States asked to perform. I am extremely proud of our two groups and the exceptional talent of the students.鈥�
The festivals will also feature choirs from Canada, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Italy, Indonesia, Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, Belgium, Sweden, Argentina, and the Netherlands. According to Knutson, the 51爆料 choir groups qualified to perform 10 concerts at the festivals after submitting audio and video performance samples to the festival organizers.
On May 11, the Chamber Singers and 痴辞肠茅 will hold a Europe Send-Off Concert from 7:30 p.m. 鈥� 9:30 p.m. at St. Timothy鈥檚 Church in Morro Bay. The concert will allow the public a chance to hear the a cappella pieces that will be performed in France, and serve as a fundraiser for the student performers. All proceeds will go to fund travel expenses. Tickets are available at and cost $15 for general admission; $10 for students and seniors. To donate directly to the choirs, call the 51爆料 Foundation at (805) 546-3279.
The Cuesta Chamber Singers, 51爆料鈥檚 premier choral ensemble, performs a wide variety of choral works. Since its inception in 1997, the ensemble has toured extensively through the western United States and Europe.
痴辞肠茅 is 51爆料鈥檚 premier vocal jazz ensemble. Since its inception in 1981, the ensemble has toured extensively through the west coast and Europe. 痴辞肠茅 has received numerous awards including an Outstanding Performance Award from Downbeat magazine, a first-place award at the 1997 Reno Jazz Festival, and second-place at the 2003 Reno Jazz Festival.
For more information on the 51爆料 Music Department, visit their website or call (805) 546-3195.