Southeastern Chorale to perform at Carnegie Hall
by SOUTHEASTERN PUBLIC INFORMATION
September 17, 2008
DURANT, Okla. -- The Southeastern Chorale, the premiere choral ensemble of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, has accepted an invitation to perform at Carnegie Hall in June 2009. The Chorale, under the direction of Stacy Weger, will join Vanderbilt University in the world premiere of internationally acclaimed composer David N. Childs' "Requiem." Two to three other college ensembles of national note are expected to join in this endeavor.
"The Chorale is an outstanding representative of Southeastern Oklahoma State University," said Southeastern president Michael D. Turner. "This group performs not only at campus events, but across the area to advance and support choral music in our schools. It is a great honor for the University and the Chorale to be a part of the Carnegie Hall experience."
"This opportunity is a direct consequence of the hard work and dedication our talented students continually exhibit," Weger said. "They eagerly take on new challenges, and seek out ways to improve their overall musicianship. I am proud of their achievements, but even more proud of their character and the way they represent Southeastern Oklahoma State University. We are all delighted that this event takes place during our university's Centennial year as a way to bring further attention to the school."
This is the latest in a series of remarkable milestones in the history of the Southeastern Chorale. Last year, the Chorale became just the third choir in the nation to host Grammy nominated choral conductor Craig Hella Johnson in residency. The other two schools were St. Olaf College in Minnesota and Westminster Choir College in New Jersey, two of the premiere choral training institutions in the nation. Performing with Dr. Johnson and Grammy winning singer Cynthia Clawson, the Chorale created a unique choral college concert.
In 2007 the Southeastern Chorale was the only Oklahoma choir invited to perform as a part of the National Endowment of the Arts Choral Symposium, "Crossing the Divide: Exploring Influence and Finding Our Voice - an American Masterpiece Festival," in Austin, Texas. They were joined at this event by the University of Texas, Texas Tech University, Texas State University, and the Grammy nominated professional choir, Conspirare. The Chorale was the only one of these groups asked to join Conspirare in their individual concert.
Also in 2007, the Southeastern Chorale performed at the Oklahoma Music Educators Association annual convention as an invited guest performer. After performing, the Chorale was asked to perform an encore the next evening, the first time this has occurred in the association's history.
The Chorale has afforded the opportunity to perform with some of the world's most noted choral ensembles and conductors, having been featured in master classes and clinics with "Anonymous Four," "Quink," "Chanticleer," and "Conspirare" and/or their conductors.
In accepting the invitation to perform at Carnegie Hall, the Southeastern Chorale takes yet another step in their journey of musical excellence.
The Southeastern Chorale is currently planning fundraising activities to assist in costs of the trip. Plans are being finalized for this year's Silent Auction and Dinner to be held on Saturday, September 27, at the Massey Building in downtown Durant.
Auction items include luxury resort stays, round-trip airfare tickets, and art, as well as donated gift items from local businesses, restaurant packages, personal services, and home décor items. The silent auction will begin on Thursday, September 25, in Fine Arts Building room 116 and culminate Saturday evening.
The event, titled "Retro-A-GoGo" will feature Southeastern Chorale members entertaining with music from the 1960s. The fundraiser will begin at 6:15 p.m. at the Massey Building with hors d'oeuvres, followed by dinner beginning at 7:00 p.m.. A dessert auction, led by Aaron Adair, will take place immediately after the meal.
Tickets are $25 and currently being sold by Chorale members. Seating is limited. If you would like to purchase tickets, donate or bid on items, or just need further information, please call 580-745-2222. Donations toward the Carnegie Hall trip are welcome and appreciated. Any donation may be sent to the Southeastern Foundation, 1405 North 4th Avenue, PMB 4187, Durant OK 74701, attention Choral Support Fund.
Members of the 28-member group are Marissa Eddins, Denison, Texas; Susan King, Durant; Charli Jo Haggard, Dickson; Milo Johnston, Lone Grove; Courtney Johnson, Durant; Cheri Conway, Lone Grove; Clifford Cox, Smithville; Jocelyn Batts, Ardmore; Matt Rizzo, Lone Grove; Stefan Walton, Allen, Texas; Sara Hudson, Allen, Texas; Weslee Vance, Denton, Texas; and Meredith McMillan, Sherman, Texas.
Also, Ryan Cirkles, Bonham, Texas; Clinton Harders, Allen, Texas; Jimi Word, Lone Grove; Marcus High, Hominy; Josh Smith, McAlester; Anthony Riley, Oklahoma City; Bobbie Atteberry, Durant; Sally Pickens, Durant; Maddie Crook, Lone Grove; Kirk Prucha, Comanche; Kirsten Ogborn, Denison, Texas; Jessica Bradt, McKinney, Texas; Hunter Sitz, Celina, Texas; Richard Eick, Carrollton, Texas; and Essie Jefferson, Garland, Texas.