MANSFIELD, PA—The Young Men’s Choral Festival (YMCF), hosted
by the Mansfield University student chapter of the American Choral Directors
Association (ACDA), will be held on Friday, October 26th, 2018.
YMCF, now in its 19th year, gives young men in grades
7, 8, & 9 the chance to sing in a massed choir with peers who also enjoy
singing, ina comfortable and collaborative setting. The festival will feature a choir of over 130 young men from sixteen area
school districts, and the Mansfield University Steadmen. The festival will
conclude with a final concert in Steadman Theatre at 4:00pm.
This
year’s guest conductor for the YMCF Choir is Mrs. Donna Knott, Director
of the York County Junior Honors Choir. Mrs. Knott has an extensive background
in the development of young voices. She has been the director of the York
County Junior Honors Choir for sixteen years and is in her tenth season
artistically directing the York County Elementary Choral Festival. Mrs. Knott is a graduate of West Chester
University (B.S Music Education) and Penn State University (Master of Education)
where she focused on the development of the male voice. Her passion for music
and upbeat personality has guided her career through an incredible musical
journey.
The 4:00 pm finale concert will also include the Mansfield University Steadmen,
under the direction of Dr. Peggy Dettwiler, Director of Choral Activities at
Mansfield University. Their program will present great choral standards
for men’s voices, humorous selections, and a finale for combined choirs.
The
YMCF Gala concert, which is supported in part by Student Activity fees, is free
and open to the public.