Decorah Chorale to host "Fall Festival of Community Choirs" in September

On September 15-16, 2012, the Decorah Chorale will host the "Fall Festival of Community Choirs" at the First Lutheran Church in Decorah.  The choral music event will include performances by four of the finest community choirs in the Midwest:  The Ames Choral Society, The Milwaukee Choristers, Sing Omaha, and the Decorah Chorale.  Guest conductors for the Festival will include Dr. Weston Noble, Dr. Allen Hightower (Luther College), Dr. James Kinchen (U. of Wisconsin/Parkside), Steven Hoifeldt (Ames), and Matt Hill (Omaha).
 
The two day event will culminate on Sunday afternoon with a Grand Festival Concert at 1:30 PM at First Lutheran, with each choir performing separately, then singing together several selections of inspirational choral literature, especially selected for this event.  Each choir will also participate in several morning worship services in the Decorah area.
 
Selections for the 180 voice mass choir will include "Lamentations of Jeremiah" by Stroope, "O Lord God" by Tchesnokov, and "We Rise Again" by Dubinsky.  Weston Noble will conduct the concert finale "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" by Gilbert Martin.
 
Festival accompanist is Clara Byom ; Festival organist is Dietrich Jessen.  Special guest accompanist for "Lamentations of Jeremiah" is Xiao Hu, who will also offer piano prelude selections beginning at 1:15 PM.
 
Questions regarding the Festival may be addressed to Julie Vulk, festival coordinator, or John Bay, Decorah Chorale director.