The Nebraska Wesleyan Honors Festival hosts the region鈥檚 most promising high school singers and instrumental performers during its annual concerts this month.
鈥淥ur festival has a rich tradition of engaging highly accomplished guest conductors and composers who we bring to campus to work with the high school students,鈥 says Josh Roach, director of instrumental activities and assistant professor of music at NWU. 鈥淭his year, we are inviting two guests that are both conductors and composers. We are also splitting up the festival to take place over two separate weekends, which allows us to do several new things.鈥
The honor choir culminated on Friday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. in the O鈥橠onnell Auditorium. The honor bands performance will take place on Saturday, Feb. 15, in O鈥橠onnell Auditorium.
Director of Choirs and Associate Professor Music Tom Trenney says it鈥檚 rare for students to create music with composers whose music they play. 鈥淭his a powerful experience. And being able to make music with students from other schools who are as talented and excited about choir as you is such a thrilling experience, particularly for those who come from smaller schools.鈥
The concerts are open to the public and tickets can be purchased at the door.
鈥淭he audience will be able to feel the passion and spirit of these young people uniting together to create something authentically beautiful. In a world that is so chaotic and divided, to see and hear this unity and harmony is uplifting and inspiring,鈥 says Trenney.