Choral Festivals

Artistic Directors, Brian Kittredge, and Larry Bach, along with esteemed Composer-in-Residence and conductor, Michael Trotta invite you to join them in Florence, Italy in June 2024. In a gala performance featuring Trotta’s a cappella works, along with his “Te Deum” and “Requiem” accompanied by orchestra, this total immersion experience of Trotta’s music will challenge and engage the hearts and minds of every participant and create profound memories to last a lifetime.

The “Great Basilicas of Italy” is a celebration of the music of composer Elaine Hagenberg and will also include spotlight performances for participating choral ensembles. Multi-generational mixed choirs will have the opportunity to perform Elaine Hagenberg’s “Illuminare” coached by the composer and conducted by Dr. Gene Peterson as part of the festive gala concert in the famous St. Francis Basilica in Assisi.

Artistic Director Gene Peterson and Composer-in-Residence Elaine Hagenberg will work with the participating conductors to create a program that will unite singers and audience, creating an immersive experience for all participants. Fully balanced choirs will also have the opportunity for a spotlight performance during the gala concert. Additionally, the festival choir will sing during Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

Join one of the finest choral educators of our time, Dr. Pearl Shangkuan, and ensembles from across the U.S. in Vienna, Austria to perform works by Dr. Dan Forrest scored for choir and with orchestra. A Gala Concert Performance at a renowned venue in Vienna, as well as an opportunity for a recital in St. Stephen’s Cathedral will be a life-changing experience for singers from across the United States.

As Composer-in-Residence, Dan Forrest will take part in the 5-day festival experience providing personal insights into his compositions and supporting Artistic Director Dr. Pearl Shangkuan in their interpretation, as well as performing at the gala concert with the choirs. Additionally, fully balanced choirs have the opportunity for a spotlight performance during the gala concert in Austria’s beautiful capital city of Vienna.

Come sing in Northern Ireland with conductors/composers Shane Lynch and Maurice Kelly. Centered in Londonderry and featuring Irish composers such as Derry native Sean Doherty, multi-generational mixed choirs will have the chance to perform the world premiere of music based on the history and natural beauty of the area. Dr. Lynch will compose works about the legendary Amazing Grace valley nearby, giving choirs the chance to work with him on the music and visit the actual valley to understand how the work came into being originally.

Artistic Director Dr. Joseph Modica invites you to join him in Rome, Italy for a 5-night residency, culminating in a gala concert of the Verdi Requiem with full orchestra. Rome is a perfect setting for a choral festival because of its rich musical and artistic culture. Through the ages Rome has played a major role in Western art and examples of its architectural grandeur are visible everywhere you look. Music has also historically been one of the cultural markers of Italian national and ethnic identity and holds an important position in society and in politics. This program is a total immersion experience into Italian culture from music to architecture, history, food, and language and will challenge and engage the hearts and minds of every participant and create profound memories to last a lifetime.