Festival of Choirs features diverse program

Choir

NAU Choral Studies announces its annual Fall Festival of Choirs Concert beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct.11, in Ardrey Auditorium.

The program will begin with the Harold M. Harter Memorial Handbell Choir, under the direction of bellmaster Josh Palkki, performing challenging handbell repertoire, including the overture to Carmen. The Men’s Chorale, conducted by Germán Aguilar, will perform The Pasture from the “Frostiana” set by Randall Thompson. University Singers, under the direction of Jennifer Hutton, will present Son de Camaguey, an upbeat Cuban folk song with percussion arranged by Stephen Hatfield.

The Women’s Chorale, conducted by Ryan Holder, will perform Gustav Holst’s Ave Maria written for eight-part a cappella women’s voices. The program will conclude with the NAU Shrine of the Ages Choir, under the direction of Edith Copley, presenting Aaron Copland’s The Promise of Living, from the opera The Tenderland, and Mesa Songs for Native American flute, rain stick and drum by Judith Cloud, NAU professor of voice.

Other musical selections will include historic choral works by Handel and Haydn, contemporary works by Gwyneth Walker and Moses Hogan, and folk songs from West Africa, the United States and South Africa.

Tickets are available in advance through the Central Ticketing Office in the University Union or at the door. Prices are $13 for adults, $10 for seniors/faculty/staff, and students with ID are free.