On Saturday, March 3, 2018, in an inaugural event, eight high school choral ensembles will compete onstage at the Easton High School Auditorium for a total of $5,000.00 in prize monies. The ensemble that is judged the best based on their performance that day will receive a check for $2,500.00, second place $1,500.00 and third place $1,000.00. Donations from generous supporters of the Easton Choral Arts Society and grants from the Mid-Shore Foundation and Talbot County Arts Council are making this competition possible. Wes Lockfaw is the Artistic Director of ECAS.
The competition will begin at 1PM with the performance of the first choral group. The final chorus will perform at 3:30 PM. Tickets will be sold at the door for $10 or online at www.eastonchoralarts.org. There is no charge for students. Prize monies must be used for the winning schools’ choral music departments.
The eight high schools that will be performing are, in alphabetical order: Arundel High School, Anne Arundel County; Bel Air High School, Harford County; Easton High School, Talbot County; Edgewood High School, Harford County; Kent Island High School, Queen Anne’s County; Liberty High School, Carroll County; The Bryn Mawr School, Baltimore City; and Tower Hill School, New Castle County (DE). More than 226 students will be competing.
Judges for the March 3 competition will be Dr. William M. Folger, Dr. Devonna B. Rowe, and Dr. James Wilson. Dr. Folger is an Associate Professor and Director of Choral Activities at Salisbury University. Dr. Rowe is currently on the music faculty in the Department of Fine Arts at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Dr. Wilson is an Associate Professor of Music, Chair of Music &The Arts, and Director of Choirs at Wesley College, Dover.
As competition coordinator Carolyn Harrison explained:“Developing this competition has been a journey. The journey began with a much narrower scope than what rapidly developed over the course of last spring. As we approach our destination I am pleased with what ECAS has created. It will be a wonderful showcase for the high school ensembles that will take to the Easton High School stage competing for significant monies that will further their choral programs.”
Easton Choral Arts Society choristers are excited about the competition, responding with enthusiasm to the committee’s request for assistance. From offering to donate baked goods, to reaching out for competition booklet ads, to signing up to lend their physical support at Easton High School on March 3, the singers are being highly supportive.
For further information regarding the Choral Competition, please contact the ECAS Choral Competition Administrator and Chair, Carolyn Harrison, at: [email protected]
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