This weekend, Cheyenne will welcome nearly 100 young singers from across Wyoming as the Cheyenne All-City Children’s Chorus (ACCC), directed by Janet Weisbrook, hosts the Wyoming American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Children’s Honor Choir, Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports.
The event, taking place Friday and Saturday, brings together 96 singers from 10 different Wyoming communities. These students will rehearse and perform under the leadership of guest conductor Dena Byers from Durham, North Carolina.
The Wyoming ACDA Children’s Honor Choir is a statewide initiative that began in Casper in 1996. It provides a unique opportunity for fourth through eighth-grade students involved in community, church, or school choirs to collaborate in a non-competitive setting. Choir directors across the state nominate outstanding singers with strong musicianship and unchanged voices to represent their regions in the choir.
Rehearsals will be held at South High School, where sectional practices, a Student Activity Night, and a Director’s Workshop will also take place on Friday. The event will culminate in a free public concert at 4 p.m. Saturday in the South High School Auditorium.
This marks the fifth time Cheyenne has hosted the ACDA Children’s Honor Choir. According to ACCC Executive Director Mary Ann Fritz, hosting duties are planned approximately two years in advance in partnership with ACDA.
The ACCC will open Saturday’s concert with a diverse musical set including selections such as “Amavolovolo” by Rudolf de Beer, “No Time” by Susan Brumfield, and “I Sing Because I’m Happy” by Charles H. Gabriel and Civilla D. Martin. Other featured works include pieces in various languages and musical styles that reflect the ensemble’s broad repertoire.
The ACDA Honor Choir will then perform selections such as “Exsultate justi in Domino” by Brant Adams, “Vuela” by Carlos Cordero, and “Fly!” by Tracy Wong.
The program will conclude with a combined performance of “Feel Good” by Barbara Baker and David J. Elliott, featuring all 127 students.
“It’s really a great opportunity. They get to meet kids from all over the state, and they aren’t competing — they’re working together to produce a really awesome concert with a top-notch director,” said Fritz. “They get to grow both musically and socially.”
For additional details, contact Mary Ann Fritz at [email protected] or call 970-443-4467.
