JOHNSON CITY – The East Tennessee State University Chorale won first place in both the Youth and Adult Folk Song Choir categories in the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales, United Kingdom.
These wins qualify the Chorale to compete for the Choir of the World titleon July 6. The ensemble will also compete in the Mixed Choirs category prior to Choir of the World competition, which will be televised live throughout the U.K.
“Our students and I have been interviewed on BBC TV and Welsh TV, as well as several radio interviews,” said Dr. Matthew Potterton, conductor of the Chorale and chair of the ETSU Department of Music. “They are incredibly proud, as am I. Keep us in your thoughts as we compete in one more general category, and then Choir of the World.”
This is the first time ETSU has participated in the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, and the Chorale was selected by audition from among 100 choirs for inclusion in this year’s event.
The International Eisteddfod is one of the foremost world festivals of music, dance and culture, and includes competitions showcasing choirs and dance troupes from across the globe. It was established in 1947 to promote peace and goodwill between nations by bringing performers from all cultures and nations together through music.
The 27-member ETSU Chorale performs in a variety of styles and genres, ranging from music of the Renaissance to newly composed works. Its members are chosen through a selective audition process and must be dedicated to the highest levels of artistry.
The public may follow the Chorale’s progress at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod website,https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/, and the competition may be viewed athttp://llangollen.tv/en/; note that an error message appears when no live broadcast is under way, but earlier performances may be accessed via the pull-down tabs at any time. The ETSU Chorale may also be followed on Facebook at @ETSUMixedChorale, where video from various performances is available.
