MANSFIELD, PA— Community singers of all ages, from high school through senior citizens, are invited to sing in the Mansfield University Festival Chorus for the 2016-17 season. 
The Chorus, directed by Peggy Dettwiler, will meet on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. in Steadman Theatre beginning Tuesday, August 30.
During the fall semester, the Festival Chorus will perform in the annual Choral Collage in Steadman Theatre on Sunday, October 30 and the annual holiday choral concerts on December 3-4.
Grant Us Peace, taken from the Latin phrase, Dona nobis pacem, found in the Agnus Dei of the Roman Catholic Mass, will be the theme of the holiday concerts. The finale will unite all of the choirs involved in the concerts in singing the final movement of Vaughan Williams’s Dona nobis pacem with organ and percussion. The combination of all the choirs always gives a powerful ending to these celebrative December performances.
During the spring, the Festival Chorus will sing two complete performances of Vaughan Williams’s Dona nobis pacem with orchestra in April
A music packet with four of the titles to be performed is ready for purchase at the Mountie Den campus bookstore in Alumni Hall. The remainder of the music will be provided at the first rehearsal.
Festival Chorus members are also welcome to participate with the Concert Choir on selections for Men’s and Women’s choruses. These rehearsals are held on Thursdays at 7 p.m. for women and 8 p.m. for men. Singers are not required to be part of any other ensemble to be a member of the Festival Chorus.
All new members of the Chorus will need to sing for voice placement into the chorus. Singers should be prepared to vocalize for range and sing a brief solo such as Happy Birthday, My Country ‘tis of Thee, Row Your Boat or another of their choice.
Call (570)662-4721 or e-mail pdettwil@mansfield.edu for more information.