Choral ensembles unite to showcase talent

October 21, 2005

JOEL DAVIDSON\Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA - You won't hear it on most radio stations, music videos or top-40 countdowns, but the ancient art of choral music is alive and well.

In Wasilla this week, more than 50 singers and conductors came together to hone their vocal skills while learning from world-renowned conductor Byron McGilvray during the Mat-Su Choral Workshop Festival.

The seven-day festival brought together choir members from all over the Valley, including high schools, churches and community choirs. The group assembled each night at the First Presbyterian Church in Wasilla to practice singing, both individually and collectively. Their work culminates Saturday night with a free concert at the church.

&#8220The goal is to enhance what is already here and to improve their performances,” said event coordinator Alice Branton, of Wasilla. &#8220The biggest goal is to create an atmosphere of enthusiasm for choral music in the Valley while exposing people to a world-class conductor.”

With dozens of Mat-Su-area choirs already in place, the festival drew from an existing and eager base of local singers who wanted to learn from a master.

Conductor McGilvray's musical history and credentials are exceptional. Currently a professor emeritus at San Francisco State University, he has conducted multiple choirs in more than 800 events in 48 states and 42 countries. For the past quarter-century he has worked with the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival and has also conducted festivals in Southeast for the past 14 years.

Palmer High School choir teacher Jennifer Dalby worked with Branton to bring McGilvray to the Mat-Su, where she said dozens of choirs currently sing every week.

&#8220We have people from Glacier View to Willow here,” Dalby said.

&#8220Alice Branton and myself just wanted to bring good choral music to the Valley and have an annual festival that we could add to as we go along.”

With a strong and growing interest in choral music, Dalby said the time was right to establish a festival.

&#8220There are all kinds of music festivals in this state and we decided the Valley needed one, too,” she explained.

During the week, McGilvray visited area high schools to work with choral students. He also scheduled private voice lessons along with vocal masters and conducting classes.

Dalby said the aim is to expand the festival next year with help from grants from other sponsors. This year's budget consisted largely of participation fees. The United Protestant Presbyterian Church in Palmer and the First Presbyterian Church in Wasilla also helped sponsor the event.

&#8220We are hoping this will grow,” Branton said, adding that she believes it is important to continue the long cultural tradition of singing choral music.

&#8220This brings people together in ways that not many activities can. You have to work together and follow a leader to produce these wonderful sounds.”

Contact Joel Davidson at

352-2266, or joel.davidson@ frontiersman.com.