Three Stanley-Boyd Choir members attended the Dorian Vocal Festival at Luther College on January 12-13th. The Dorian Vocal Festival, one of the largest select choral festivals in the nation, is open …
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Three Stanley-Boyd Choir members attended the Dorian Vocal Festival at Luther College on January 12-13th. The Dorian Vocal Festival, one of the largest select choral festivals in the nation, is open to seniors or juniors that are nominated by their school directors. Over 900 students were given the incredible opportunity to perform in this advanced ensemble, refine their skills, and rehearse with Luther College’s esteemed music faculty.
“The Dorian Festival is a standout experience for students who are able to attend,” said Stanley-Boyd Choir Director Louella Derrico. She shared that this two-day event provided the opportunity to sing in one of the largest choirs in the Midwest, surrounded by fellow juniors and seniors from states such as Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, and more. Derrico mentioned that the festival creates a positive and inspiring environment, where students connect with others who share their passion for music and singing. During the event, seniors Seth Zastrow, Sydney Gundlach and Landen Fredrickson attended two concerts—one featuring a local high school choir and the other showcasing the top three auditioned ensembles at Luther College. This was the second year Gundlach was selected, and she commented, “Both years have been such a great experience!” She added that the songs were especially fun to sing this year. “The treble voices sang ‘Over Hill, Over Dale’ from Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummers Dream’ and that was my favorite song to sing. It was a mix of complicated yet funky,” she said.
Derrico explained that this is a unique and eye-opening experience for many students, as it’s rare for them to sit in the audience at a choir performance.
“They are often in awe of the exceptional performers and aspire to one day be part of an ensemble of that level after high school,” she said. She added that beyond watching outstanding performances, the students had the opportunity to perform in the grand concert hall on campus, an experience they don’t often encounter.
“The acoustics of the hall enhance the voices, allowing them to resonate, soar, and blend in ways that are unforgettable. Many students described feeling “chills” from the extraordinary sound,” commented Derrico. She remarked that students return from the Dorian Vocal Festival with renewed energy and passion and this unforgettable experience is one that they talk about for years to come.