It's always an honor to witness the School of Music ensembles at the College of the Arts garner international recognition for excellence in performance, repertoire and showmanship. Early this summer, the Georgia State University Tenor-Bass Choir, under the direction of Dr. Patrick K. Freer (Professor of Music Education), was invited to present a virtual concert at the XIV International Festival CORHABANA 2022 in Havana, Cuba.
The Tenor-Bass Choir was selected by audition and performed a virtual concert of video performances produced during the 2021-22 academic year. The six-piece program included "There is a Meeting Here Tonight" (arr. Cantus), "Sing Gently" (Eric Whitacre), and "Refuge" (Gwyneth Walker), among others. The ensemble performance also showcased current graduate student conductors Thom Dixon and Ernesto Lima Parets.
"This festival allowed us to celebrate the emergence of choral performance from the
confines necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic," said Dr. Freer. "The quality of the choirs from Cuba was stunning, reminding us that singing is a universal form of communication that can unite us even when we feel isolated or when the days seem bleak. This festival was characterized by a joyous explosion of tone, colors, traditions, and artistry. It was an honor to sing in this event!"
Hosted by the Cuba National Choir, the XIV International Festival CORHABANA 2022 was held virtually and in person from June 28 to July 10. The biennial choral festival has continued to attract high-caliber choirs for the past 28 years, establishing itself as one of the premier choral festivals in all of the Americas. The 2022 festival hosted choirs from around the world, including Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Ukraine, the USA, and Venezuela.
Click here to sample the Georgia State University Tenor-Bass Choir.