This week, the Office of Educational Outreach presented its annual SingFest! program, adapting to a virtual format for its participants' safety during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The one-day event brought together nearly one hundred students from various high schools in the Atlanta region, many of whom participated individually at home or in small group classroom settings.
“We always look forward to SingFest! because so many high schools are on campus making music.” said, Amy Reid, Director, Office of Educational Outreach. “With the pandemic, the festival initially seemed impossible, however hosting SingFest! virtually sparked creativity in the types of sessions that we offered. A different type of event emerged, but the outcome was the same – inspiring and connecting with students through music.“
SingFest! featured a special guest session with Andrea Ramsey, the world-renowned composer, conductor, scholar and music educator. Georgia State Associate Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Jennifer Sengin envisioned the event in a virtual setting and chose Ramsey’s work, “Hope Lingers On” to encourage students during the pandemic.
In addition to choral rehearsals, participants attended the workshops "Paths in the Music Industry" with Georgia State Professor Al Thrash along with guest panelists Valencia Giles, Director of the Lawrenceville-Suwanee School of Music and Deborah Stephens, a graduate student at the Yale University Institute of Sacred Music, as well as the "Introduction to Beatboxing" workshop with Georgia State Professor Devin Reid. Georgia State Choral Graduate Assistants led sessions on choral leadership, choral conducting, and rehearsal and practice tips. SingFest! also highlighted "Majoring in Music with Georgia State Students," giving high schoolers a chance to engage in School of Music student performances and a Q&A information session.
For more information about upcoming programs, visit the Office of Educational Outreach website.