Choral Festivals

“Great Basilicas of Italy” celebrates the artistic heritage of two of Italy’s most important churches. A Gala Concert Performance at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and participation in Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican will be a life-changing experience for singers from across the United States. Under the inspired leadership of Artistic Directors Dr. Pearl Shangkuan and Dr. Anton Armstrong the multi-generational festival choir will perform a repertoire that is significant to each of these wonderful concert spaces. Assisi is a small town filled with rich culture, history, and charm which will inspire all choristers to perform at their highest level.

Artistic Directors, Dr. Jeffrey Benson, and Dr. Michael Hanawalt invite you to join them in Lisbon, Portugal for the Lisbon Choral Festival. Discover Lisbon, a city full of authenticity where old customs and ancient history intermix with cultural entertainment and hi-tech innovation. This 4-day residency program culminates with a Gala Concert, in one of Lisbon’s beautiful church venues and will bring all participating choirs together to sing a joint choir program with local orchestra accompaniment. The Lisbon Choral Festival is a total immersion experience into Portuguese 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.

“I Will Arise And Go” – Yeats’ poetry still permeates Irish life and inspires artistic expression. Much of his poetry is inherently musical with its hauntingly beautiful words and simple rhyme schemes. Explore Shawn Kirchner’s folk-inspired music, in the cultural hub of Derry, with its active folk and traditional music scene. The 4-day festival will culminate in a gala concert, accompanied by Mr. Kirchner and local traditional players, and include repertoire for both treble and mixed voices. This choral event is sure to excite the hearts and minds of all that participate.

Join women’s and treble choral ensembles from across the U.S. under the direction of Dr. Andrea Ramsey in San Sebastian, Spain for a musical tapas from both continents. San Sebastian, famous for its beaches and gastronomy, is also home to some of Spain’s most respected choral composers and conductors. Dr. Ramsey will be joined by esteemed Basque Composer, Eva Ugalde. Collaborating with a Spanish Choir-in-Residence “Aquam Lauda Korua,” participating ensembles will have the opportunity for meaningful, educational and cultural immersion.  Culminating with a gala concert in San Sebastian, this festival tour will challenge and engage the hearts and minds of every participant and create profound memories to last a lifetime.

This festival will feature the world premiere of a new choral-orchestral work by American composer, John Wykoff. He will also be the composer-in-residence for the duration of the Normandy Choral Festival. Singers will have time to talk to him about his musical works and career as a composer. Paired with Dr. Wykoff’s work will be a few works celebrating the American folk tradition along with Fauré’s Requiem. Gabriel Fauré is one of the most well-revered French composers, and this will be a tremendous occasion to bring this work to light in his native country.

“A concert with a music mission to unite people appears to be a gateway to understanding and harmony.” Join esteemed composer, conductor and arranger Stacey V. Gibbs for the Spirituals In Spain Festival in Barcelona. “Let us cling to hope and choose to positively impact the world through song.”

Join Dr. Brad Pierson in Ireland for a curated singing tour of Iconic Irish pubs and distilleries. This trip will include highlights such as the numerous singing pubs of Galway, The Ring of Kerry and Killarney Brewing company and visits to the Jameson Distillery, Guinness Brewery and more! There will be time included to attend traditional music sessions as well as an opportunity for you to perform as a group at many sites along the way.