COMPETITION RESULTS
The results are in! Read on to see how the choirs in this year’s competitions fared…
Riverside City College Takes Top Awards at the
Third California International Choral Festival & Competition
Every Choir Takes Home a Prize
San Luis Obispo, CA- Audiences stood on their feet cheering the top rated choirs as they competed for prizes in the third California International Choral Festival & Competition held in San Luis Obispo on June 24 , 25, 26, 2011. This three-day festival and competition took place in the Performing Arts Center on the Cal Poly campus to full houses. Riverside City College Chamber Singers took two first places, one second place and the People’s Choice Award. The event was hosted by the San Luis Vocal Arts Ensemble, directed by Gary Lamprecht.
The choirs were accepted to participate in the Festival on the basis of their submission of an audition CD evaluated by Gary Lamprecht, Artistic Director of the Choral Festival & Competition. Audiences heard the best works from each of the five choirs who competed. They were judged in three categories. The first was the Required Pieces Competition where each choir performed the same two pieces of music. The second was a Folk Song Competition when each choir performed music of their country in costume, and the final competition was Choir’s Choice in which the choirs sang a fifteen minute program of their choosing. First place winners were given a $500 cash award. Three judges adjudicated the event.
The Awards
Required Pieces
1st Place: Riverside City College Chamber Singers, Riverside, California • John Byun, Director
2nd Place: The University of Redlands Chapel Singers, Redlands, California • Jean-Sebastien Vallee, Director
3rd Place: Christ the King Church Choir, Kampala, Uganda • Stephen Oloka, Director
Folk Song Competition
1st Place: The University of Redlands Chapel Singers, Redlands, California • Jean-Sebastien Vallee, Director
2nd Place: Riverside City College Chamber Singers, Riverside, California • John Byun, Director
3rd Place: Soli Deo Gloria, Fresno, California • Julie Carter, Director
Choir’s Choice Competition
1st Place: Riverside City College Chamber Singers, Riverside, California • John Byun
2nd Place: The University of Redlands Chapel Singers, Redlands, California • Jean-Sebastien Vallee, Director
3rd Place: Soli Deo Gloria, Fresno, California • Julie Carter, Director
People’s Choice Award: Riverside City College Chamber Singers, Riverside, California • John Byun, Director
Judge’s Special Award: Prime Note Ensemble, Philippines• Novem Cabios, Director
The 2011 California International Choral Festival & Competition
June 24-26, 2011
In 2007 and 2009, energetic and accomplished singers came from every corner of the world to San Luis Obispo to compete for the coveted awards. They brought with them a remarkable diversity, not only in their home of origin, but also in their style, language, musical dynamics and interpretation.
Finland, Uganda, Spain, Macedonia, Republic of Congo, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, and the United States were represented. They sang songs that reflected their homeland, their history, their folklore, and beliefs; songs of hunting and fishing, love and loss, joy and mysteries, and renewal. In this, those in attendance experienced and understood the universal language of music.
Audiences packed the houses -many of them sold out- sitting quietly so the judges could hear every nuance, standing and cheering in appreciation of the exceptional music, showmanship, choreography and energy; misty-eyed when all the voices were raised at the finale to sing This is My Song from Finlandia.
Join us for the 2011 California International Choral Festival & Competition.
It’s all there waiting for you – again.
New This Year
“Opening Night Bash”
The brand new Vocal Arts Concert that opens the Festival will be preceded by a party in the lobby of the theatre. It’s a chance for you to meet and mingle with fellow concert-goers and chat with the visiting Choral Directors
“Ready-Set-Sing!” is the new name for the Opening Concert. The show begins with the introduction of the visiting choirs who will sing a patriotic song from their country. Then Vocal Arts Ensemble performs a lively new program of American music, ending with a welcome song in each choir’s native language.
“Festival SuperFan” is a new package that will allow you to have fun with the choirs from the Opening Night Bash through the post-Festival party.
Here is what others have said about the California International Choral Festival & Competition :
“Of the many arts events we’ve been to, the Choral Festival is by far the most memorable, both exciting and moving. You’ve set the highest standard in SLO for professionalism and class and pure joy. We’ve been telling everyone we know about it.”
-N. Bruno
“I found myself moved to tears, to laughter, and to sheer amazement by the performances this year.”
-M. Lange
“I try to notice organization, inspiration, dignity and enthusiasm. You did it all. I have to think this was the event of the year in SLO…I can’t think of anything at CICF 2009 that wasn’t boffo!”
R. Briner (Los Angeles)
“I would like to thank you for excellent organization, hospitality and kindness which made our visit to San Luis Obispo and Festival one of the best experiences.”
– Letka Dimovska-Polizova, Director, Zlata Meglenska Choir, Macedonia
“My students and I have never had a better time anywhere in the world
as far as concert and performance experience is concerned.”
– John Tebay, Director, Fullerton College Concert Choir, California
“Unbelievably well planned… the attitude toward participants and audience was very upbeat and positive.”
– Bill Hatcher, Judge
“For me this Festival has been the best in my life, and I’m conducting choirs since 16 years.”
– Iñaki Tolaretxipi, Director, Landarbaso Abesbatza Choir, Spain
