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.”
This is the latest in a series of 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 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,” Œ’Quink,” “Œ’Chanticleer” and “Œ’Conspirare” and/or their conductors.
Donations toward the Carnegie Hall trip are welcome and appreciated. Any donation may be sent to the Southeastern Foundation, 1405 North 4th Ave., 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; Weslee Vance, Denton, Texas; and Meredith McMillan, Sherman, Texas.
Also, Ryan Cirkles, Bonham, Texas; Clinton Harders, Allen; 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; Jessica Bradt, McKinney, Texas; Hunter Sitz, Celina, Texas; Richard Eick, Carrollton, Texas; and Essie Jefferson, Garland, Texas.
