NEWS RELEASE
For more information contact
Gordon Moe, Manager, 701-451-0166

ERIC WHITACRE JOINS THE FACULTY OF THE
RENÉ CLAUSEN CHORAL SCHOOL FOR CONDUCTORS

High school, church, community, and college choir conductors will gather from around the country to learn from René Clausen, Eric Whitacre and each other. The fourth annual René Clausen Choral School will be held on the campus of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, July, 24-28, 2001.

Last summer’s choral schools attracted 98 participants from 32 different states. Every year the school is improved based on the feedback from participants. Additions and changes to this summer's choral school are significant and include an expanded faculty, voice lessons, enhanced vendor area, and even more choral singing by participants.

Eric Whitacre (b. 1970) will serve as the Choral School's first Composer-in-Residence and share his insights and philosophies on choral composition. In addition, he will lecture the choir and discuss how he fixes problems, paces rehearsals, and communicates with a choir. This year Eric Whitacre became the youngest recipient ever awarded the coveted Raymond C. Brock commission by the American Choral Directors Association. Read more about Eric by visiting his website www.ericwhitacre.com.

As opposed to a workshop format, Dr. Clausen has specifically created a "choral school" with more lecture hours and intense content to increase the participant's knowledge of style, literature, performance practice issues, and conducting and rehearsal technique.

"Each year I look forward to working with the participants in an actual choral rehearsal situation, sharing my own process and procedure in creating choral music," stated Clausen. "It is also satisfying to hear how much the participants appreciate our supportive learning environment."

Due to the variety of conductors that attend the choral school, this summer's school will offer a two-track schedule allowing participants to choose different sessions during the day. Example sessions include community choir challenges, the changing voice, choir tour planning and execution, and quality high school repertoire. These sessions provide important opportunities to network with other participants living throughout the country.

Four graduate quarter credits and continuing education certificates are available for participants.

René Clausen is the conductor of The Concordia Choir, which continues to affirm its reputation as one of the nation's finest a cappella choirs. of Moorhead, Minnesota, Clausen is Senior Editor of Mark Foster Music Company (a division of Shawnee Press). He received the Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota, and the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Illinois, Urbana.

In addition to conducting The Concordia Choir, Clausen, has written nearly sixty commissioned works, and regularly conducts major choral/orchestral performances, choral festivals, and workshops nationwide. One of his most recent commissions, entitled Canticle of Praise, was written for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and The King’s Singers.

For a free brochure with complete description and registration information (fees, housing, meal plans, graduate credits, etc.) e-mail info@reneclausen.com or call toll-free (888) 736-3252. The entire brochure, including comments from last years’ participants, is also available on-line at www.reneclausen.com.