Hundreds of choral students from middle and high schools across Prince William County are honing their skills for the upcoming All-County Chorus event Oct.23 and 24 at Forest Park High School.
The event will challenge select singers as they rehearse new pieces with guest conductors. The community is encouraged to attend the free concert Oct. 24 that will close this year’s festival.
The annual choral event also allows students to solidify cross-county relationships and to experience working as a member of a larger ensemble. The singers will spend most of the event in workshops and practice sessions, followed by culminating public performances Oct. 24.
The High School Mixed Chorus, under the direction of Barbara Baker, will perform at 3:30 p.m.; the Treble Choir, led by Barbara Perry, will sing at 4:15 p.m.; and the Middle School Chorus, directed by
Thomas Tutwiler, will close out the day’s performances at 5 p.m.
Guests are encouraged to follow the performance times when planning their arrival at Forest Park High School. Forest Park is located at 15721 Forest Park Drive in Woodbridge.
The All-County Chorus represents the county’s best school music program, as participants must earn their spot in the ensemble.
At the middle school level, each chorus teacher auditions his or her own students and selects top vocalists to represent their school. High school students had to earn their spots by participating in a division-wide audition process just weeks after the school year started.
Less than 50 percent of the students who audition at the high school level are selected to sing at the event. Almost 800 students auditioned this year for the two high school ensembles.
This year’s guest conductors bring decades of musical experience to the students. Baker conducted the Chamber Women’s, Men’s, Concert and Gospel choirs at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Md. for 30 years before retiring in 2008. Perry taught in Stafford County Schools for 18 years and is currently the director of choirs at Colonial Forge High School.
Tutwiler is in his sixth year as choral director at Hylton High School in Woodbridge. Lara Brittain, choral director at Forest Park, is the high school chair and event host.
Tutwiler is the senior audition chair and Carolyn Chrestman, choral director at Graham Park Middle, is the middle school chair.
Information provided by Prince William County Public Schools.
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