The Albert Lea High School concert choir was recently notified that they were selected for the Choral Arts Finale, a premier high school choral festival co-sponsored by American Chorale Directors Association of Minnesota and Concordia University in St. Paul. 

Auditions came from choirs of all sizes from throughout the state.  Using a blind screening process, an audition committee of ACDA members met in January and ranked the auditions and chose the top six scoring groups that had submitted a recording and repertoire choices. The groups chosen also represent the range of auditions from outstate and metro, larger and smaller schools.  The groups that were chosen for the 12th  Annual Choral Arts Finale are:

Albert Lea High School Concert Choir, Diane Heaney, conductor

Champlin Park High School Concert Choir, Laura Tempel, conductor

Brainerd High School Choir, Brian Stubbs, conductor

Hastings High School Select Chorale, Lin Warren, conductor

Roseville Area High School, The Good ’Pellas chamber choir, Kellen McMillen, conductor

Wayzata High School Concert Choir,  Rebecca Wyffels, conductor

Each group will receive a commemorative plaque, a $500 award and transportation expenses.

They also will be provided an evening meal. Each choir will participate in massed choir rehearsals and receive an individual clinic with Francisco Núñez, founder/conductor of the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, on March 26 at Concordia University. Each of the choirs will perform a short program and combine for two massed choir numbers to close the gala concert at 7:30 p.m. March 26 in Orchestra Hall.

The festival is made possible through the support of Concordia University donors David and Sandy Frauenshuh. The couple has supported this project for 12 years, and this will be the final year for the program.

Parents and community members may purchase tickets to the concert at Orchestra Hall. There will also be a coach bus available for the public until filled.

The cost will be $10 per person and will leave at 5:30 p.m. from the Albert Lea High School parking lot. Call Diane Heaney at 379-5386 to reserve a seat.