High School Women’s Choir Festival

The College will host the High School Women’s Choir Festival Thursday-Friday, November 17-18, also in O’Laughlin Auditorium. It is the 27th year that the women’s college has hosted the high school event. The High School Women’s Choir Festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day on November 17 and 18. Approximately 800 students will participate with 20 choirs from Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin. Local choirs include Penn High School, Niles High School, Lakeshore High School, La Porte High School, and Concord High School. Each choir will perform three or four pieces and receive written evaluations from commentators.

Three well-respected commentators will evaluate the choirs. They are Scott Dorsey, director of education and communication for the American Choral Directors Association; Laura Lane, professor of music and director of choral activities at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois; and Phillip Swan, associate professor of music and co-director of choral studies at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin.

“The commentators will work with the students and give them pointers on how to improve their singing,” Menk said. “The high school choirs will receive both written comments as well as an open clinic.”

Choirs will perform for each other during the morning and afternoon sessions. The day also includes a tour of the campus and a performance by the Saint Mary’s College Women’s Choir.

The event is open to the public. Admission to the High School Women’s Choir Festival is free. Download a campus map.