UD Chorale wins accolades in L.A.

UD Chorale

1:13 p.m., Feb. 18, 2005--The 60-member UD Chorale won the esteem of more than 10,000 choir directors from around the world at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) national conference, held Feb. 2-5, in Los Angeles.

Directed by Paul Head, associate professor of music, and accompanied on the non-a cappella selections by Betsy Kent, longtime UD Chorale piano accompanist, the chorale performed three times throughout the convention, each time showcasing eight selections that included compositions by Benjamin Britten, William Byrd, Johannes Brahms, Cary John Franklin, Joan Szymko and Jetse Bremer.

After garnering so much attention and so many accolades, the chorale also performed at a black-tie reception for West Coast UD alumni.

“Just to be invited to the convention is an honor, and this group understood the status of the task,” Head said. Besides directing the UD Chorale and Schola Cantorum, Head also teaches choral methods, literature and conducting at UD.

“The group was committed and dedicated and strong on talent, and they performed very well. We all understood what a huge privilege it was to be at the convention and that gave everyone a common motivation,” Head said.

Attended by approximately 10,000 choir directors from around the world and including performances by a mix of 100 high school, church, community and college choirs from across the United States, as well as a guest choir from another country, the biennial national ACDA convention is a highly selective event.

In order for the UD Chorale to be considered for candidacy, Head first had to submit recordings of UD Chorale performances from the past three years that were then judged by three tiers of judges.

College and university choirs, because of factors that include fierce talent and large numbers of submissions, face the stiffest competition.

“When you think of all the colleges across the nation that submit tapes for review, it’s clear that this was a real boost for the University’s music department,” Head said. “Many submit, but few are chosen.”

Head added that because of the caliber of musicians attending the ACDA convention, winning notoriety while there was particularly affirming for the UD Chorale.

“I think what was really remarkable about this was that, from my experience, there always becomes a pecking order at these conventions, where one or two groups become ‘the buzz,’” Head said. “They’ll garner accolades and attention and gain a national presence--and this year that group was us.

“Choir directors were coming up to talk to members of the chorale and sending e-mails afterwards saying that our performance was a highlight of the convention, and I think that was a real affirmation to the group.”

Funding for the flight tickets and lodging was made possible, in part, by donations from the College of Arts and Sciences, the Office of the President, the Alumni Association and the Department of Music.

Both CDs and DVDs of the 2005 ACDA National Convention can be purchased at [www.viamediaavpro.com/].

CDs featuring the UD Chorale can be purchased through the Department of Music office by calling (302) 831-2577.

Article by Becca Hutchinson

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