Invitational High School Choral Festival

East Carolina University

School of Music

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Hosted by the ECU Student Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)

General Information

The 14th annual ECU Invitational High School Choral Festival will be held Wednesday, November 1, 2023. Each year this festival draws over 24 high school choirs and 900+ singers from across North Carolina to sing for one another, receive constructive responses from ECU School of Music choral and vocal faculty, and hear the renowned ECU Chamber Singers. While the majority of choirs perform at the festival, directors may choose to bring a choir to simply observe the performances. Performance slots are limited, so be sure to register as soon as possible.

SCHEDULE

*Note: If you are one of the first two performing ensembles, please plan to arrive at Wright Auditorium no later than 9:15. Ensembles will begin to warm-up at 9:45.

MUSIC SELECTION

Each performing choir will select one or two choral selections to be performed at the festival. As always, strive to select high quality music that your choir can sing excellently. The North Carolina or Virginia festival lists may be meaningful guides to you. In accordance with ECU policy, any member of any ensemble participating in the festival may NOT use photocopied music. 

Note:  If you choose to perform two selections, rather than one, it may reduce the length of the onstage clinic.

Please bring three adjudicator copies of your selection(s) to registration the morning of the festival. The copies will be returned on the day of the festival. Again, no photocopied music will be accepted.

STUDENT HOSTS

Liaisons from the ECU student chapter of the ACDA and other members of ECU choirs will be assigned to meet you at the beginning of the festival and escort you throughout the day. These students will be here to answer any questions that you or members of your ensemble may have about ECU and the vocal music department. It is our hope that your day here is inspiring, rewarding, and fun.

LUNCH

In an effort to accommodate as many performing schools as possible and finish as early as possible, no lunch break is built into the schedule. Each school should plan to provide lunch for their students following the conclusion of the festival at 1:00.

Registration

• A completed registration = a submitted application + payment.
• The application and payment are due no later than Friday, October 27, 2023. Your group will not be able to sing if payment is not received by the deadline.
• The festival registration fee is $90 for each participating choir and $45 for each auditing choir. Payment will be discussed in detail at the bottom of the application.
• Choirs are registered on a first come, first served basis. Performance slots fill quickly every year and there is a limited amount of time for adjudication. If we reach our maximum number of  performing choirs, we will be unable to accept your application to participate; however, you may choose to audit the event.
• Schools may bring more than one choir for adjudication if space allows, but each ensemble will be scheduled with its own performance time slot. In other words, a single time slot may not be shared between two choirs.
• NOTE: Each choir is expected to commit to the entire day of activities. If, for any reason, you are unable to stay until 1:00pm, please do not plan to attend the festival this year.