School of Music choir tapped as national semi-finalist for prestigious prize

The Fredonia Chamber Choir, conducted by Dr. Vernon Huff, was selected as one of four semi-finalists for the 2023 American Prize for Choral Performance (university division, large program).

Dr. Huff noted, “This is an important recognition for all of our students: past, present, and future, so that the greater community can really know the high level at which we strive to work, on a daily basis. The voice/choral/opera program in the School of Music is one of the finest, something that we have known regionally for a long time. With the choir's performance at the American Choral Directors Association Eastern conference last year, and our 85-person strong tour to England this summer, and this national honor, it is wonderful to see the recognition of everyone's hard work and dedication to Fredonia and the musical arts. I am so proud of this accomplishment because of what it means to the School of Music and the university as a whole.”

School of Music Interim Dean Sarah Hamilton added her congratulations, “It is a great honor for our Chamber Choir to be selected as national semi-finalists for this most prestigious competition, especially as this is the first year that the choir has participated. Congratulations to Dr. Huff and all the students for all your amazing work!”

Works performed on the entry include  "Laus Trinitati: by Hildegard von Bingen, arranged by Faith Morgan; "Drumsound Rises" by Daniel Elder; and "The Welcome Table," (traditional) arranged by Stacey V. Gibbs.

The other semi-finalists in the division are the Tenor-Bass Choir from Georgia State University, the USM Chamber Singers from Portland, Maine; and the Ithaca College Choir.

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts presents the annual awards. The description on its website states, “The American Prize is unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, directors, ensembles and composers in the United States at professional, college/university, community and high school levels, based on submitted recordings. Now in its thirteenth year, The American Prize was founded in 2010 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts. Thousands of artists from all fifty states have derived benefit from their participation in the contests of The American Prize, representing literally hundreds of communities and arts organizations across the nation.”