There is always something happening in Charleston and the news is always fresh. From new restaurant openings to restaurant reviews. From press release to celebrity sightings. And from the world of politics to the world of entertainment, it's all right here. Look below to catch up on the latest happenings in the Charleston area and check back daily to stay informed.
Inaugural Charleston International Festival of Choirs
The Charleston International Festival of Choirs committee with the support of the City of Charleston's Office of Cultural Affairs is pleased to announce the debut of the Charleston International Festival of Choirs April 16-19, 2009. This four-day invitational festival will showcase as many as twenty choral groups from across the United States, Canada and Europe performing choral music from their diverse backgrounds in church venues across historic Charleston in addition to opportunities for master classes and choral clinics with renowned Guest Conductor and Choral Clinician Dr. Judith Willoughby, Professor of Conducting and Music Education at Oklahoma City University.
The festival is a joint venture between founding partners Marilyn Austin, retired choral educator, Lee Pringle, founder and President CSO Gospel Choir and Jodi Breckenbridge, owner, Music Contact International of Burlington, Vermont. The acclaimed Charleston Symphony Orchestra's Gospel Choir will serve as host choir along with support from choral directors from the College of Charleston and Charleston Southern University. This brand new addition to Charleston's renowned arts festival scene endeavors to tie the city's deep appreciation for church-based choral traditions with its international profile as one of country's most admired travel destinations.
Lee Pringle, co-founder of the festival, and CSO Gospel Choir President remarks, "After the CSO Gospel Choir returned from our Italian tour last summer I realized how universal and far reaching choral music was appreciated. Charleston's charm, international appeal and historic church venues made this new endeavor possible." Marilyn Austin, co-founder of the festival says, "Starting a choral festival has always been a dream. I am delighted to be partnering with Both Lee and Jodi to make this an annual tradition."
Visiting choirs will represent high school, college and community-based environments showcasing a broad spectrum of performance groups to highlight the festival's mission of continuing choral education within the discipline.
Charleston International Choir Festival Program Framework (April 16-19, 2009)
In addition to private choral master classes with Dr Willoughby, each participating choir will have an opportunity to present up to four performances at the following venues: Boone Hall (Friday and Saturday morning, April 17-18) an historic Charleston church, (Saturday afternoon, April 18), high school venue (high school choirs only), and a Charleston area parish church (Sunday morning, April 19).
Regional choir directors Dr. Valerie Bullock (Charleston Southern University and the Singers of Summerville) and Dr. Robert Taylor (College of Charleston, Charleston Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Taylor Festival Choir) will participate along with CSO Gospel Choir, Festival presenter, under the direction of newly appointed Music Director Sandra Barnhardt.
All concerts are free and open to the public.
About Dr. Judith Willoughby
Charleston International Festival of Choirs Guest Conductor
Judith Willoughby is the Wanda L. Bass Professor of Conducting and Music Education at Oklahoma City University and Artistic Director of the Youth Choral Program of the Canterbury Choral Society. As a guest conductor, clinician and conference headliner, Willoughby has conducted choruses and orchestras in the world's major concert halls in North America, Europe, the Caribbean, Australia and Asia.
In 2009, Ms. Willoughby makes her debut at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, conducting Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem. She has been an active honor choir conductor for the American Choral Directors Association, conducting honor choruses for one national, five divisional and numerous state conventions. Willoughby served on the board of Chorus America, conducting master classes in Cincinnati and Kansas City.
Dr. Willoughby founded the Temple University Children's Choir in 1991 leading that ensemble to international prominence. As conducting faculty at Northwestern University's School of Music, she was choral director for Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art. A graduate of Temple and Northwestern Universities, Willoughby has taught in the Summer Institute program of Eastman's School of Music, as well as Westminster Choir College and Central Connecticut State University.
Sponsorship Opportunities and General Festival Information
The Charleston International Festival of Choirs is actively seeking corporate and individual sponsors; interested parties should direct inquiries to Laurie Kramer, Development Chair (843) 209-5047.
For ongoing festival performance schedules and choral group participation updates: www.charlestonfestivalofchoirs.org
0 items in suitcase 
