February 26, 2021
Dear Choral Directors and Singers:
We are delighted to invite you to 2021 Lenoir-Rhyne University Vocal Music Festival, featuring guest artists André Thomas and Cantus to be held virtually on Friday March 26, from 1pm to 5:00pm. In addition to interacting with the guests artists, participants will have the opportunity to participate in a festival virtual choir with members of the Lenoir-Rhyne A Cappella Choir, submit video recordings of vocal solos for feedback and possible inclusion in festival concert, and visit with Ryan Luhrs and other members of the Lenoir-Rhyne Music Program faculty about music opportunities after high school and/or community college.
The primary goal of this event is to celebrate singing and keep students engaged in the choral art. To that end:
1. There is no festival registration fee. There is no cost to participate in the virtual choir. 2. We’ll hear from inspiration leaders in the choral field. 3. Students and teachers can “plug in” to the day’s activities at whatever level works best for them.
March 26, 2021 Tentative Festival Schedule: 12:45 Zoom Meeting Room Opens 1:00 Welcome and A Conversation with André Thomas 1:45 Break 1:55 Music Opportunities at Lenoir-Rhyne 2:30 Cantus in Concert 3:10 Live Q & A with Cantus 3:30 Virtual LRU Campus Tour (optional) 4:00 Break 4:15 Final Festival Concert, including the festival virtual choir and selected soloists
Music Opportunities at Lenoir-Rhyne In addition to a general overview of music opportunities at Lenoir-Rhyne, students will have the option to learn more about music education, music performance, sacred music, and non-major music participation.
Virtual Choir Students (and teachers!) can participate in a virtual rendition of André Thomas’s “I Dream a World.” Participants will submit a sound file and headshot only (no videos). All information, including recording instructions, guidetracks, and sheet music can be found at this Google folder. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1X0eRv- UGwnxsLIsKxYIWj3HdCU13sQyy?usp=sharing. Submissions are due Sunday, March 21, 5pm. To encourage participation – and because we’re only doing one selection – Lenoir-Rhyne will cover the cost of sheet music for this project. Destroy all copied music at the conclusion of the project. Virtual choir participation is NOT required in order to attend the other festival activities.
Solo Audition Students working on solos are encouraged to submit a video performance. All submissions will receive valuable feedback from LR vocal music faculty. Select performances will be included the day’s concluding festival concert. More information, including recording directions, can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13wq1T2vHIwBG-KufLLzSs8o5pRQzJ-Qf?usp=sharing Submissions are due Sunday, March 21, 5pm. A solo submission is NOT required in order to attend other festival activities.
If you plan to participate, reserve your spot by emailing [email protected] by Thursday, March 11. Indicate an approximate number of students you expect to attend, including how many plan to participate in the virtual choir and/or submit a solo audition video. On Tuesday, March 23, all participating directors will receive a zoom link, which can be forwarded on to students for Friday’s event.
Thursday, March 11: Reserve your spot by emailing [email protected] (estimates are okay) Sunday, March 21, 5pm: Virtual Choir and Solo submissions due Tuesday, March 23: Zoom link distributed to participating directors Friday, March 26: 2021 LRU Choral Festival
We hope you can join us!
Sincerely yours,
Ryan Luhrs Director of Choral Activities Sacred Music Program Coordinator [email protected]