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 2017-18 season. 
The Chorus, directed by Peggy Dettwiler, will meet on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. in Steadman Theatre beginning Tuesday, August 29.
During the fall semester, the Festival Chorus will perform in the annual Choral Collage in Steadman Theatre on Sunday, October 15 and the annual holiday choral concerts on December 2-3.
The repertoire for the Festival Chorus includes the usual variety of styles from the historical period of Johann Sebastian Bach to the 21st century music by James Whitbourn. The chorus will sing one movement from Whitbourn’s Annelies, a powerful cantata based upon The Diary of Anne Frank, which will be the major work for the spring semester.
The annual holiday concerts are entitled, “Sleigh Bells Ring!” The theme offers the opportunity to feature music about the holidays, snow, and works with bell sounds.
The chorus will perform Honor and Glory (J. S. Bach, arr. Walter Ehret), Fog Elna Khel (Traditional Syrian/Iraqi Song, arr. Salim Bali), Kyrie from Annelies (James Whitbourn), The Ground (Ola Gjeilo), Ding Dong Merrily on High (French Carol, arr. Chester Alwes), Candleglow (Emily Crocker), White Christmas (Irving Berlin, arr. Roy Ringwald) and Winter Wonderland of Snow (Arr. Mark Hayes).
A music packet with some of these titles can be purchased 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.