The Idaho State University music department will present the High School Choral Invitational Festival Concert at 7 p.m. Oct. 14 in the Joseph C. and Cheryl H. Jensen Grand Concert Hall in the L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center.
The concert will feature nearly 500 students from 14 high schools from throughout Idaho who are participating in a two-day workshop for choral groups hosted by the ISU choral music program. In addition, the ISU Concert Choir and ISU Women's Choir will be featured in the evening performance.
Weston Noble, an internationally known choral conductor, will direct the concert and workshop.
"We're excited by the return of Weston Noble as director of the festival and concert," said Dr. Scott Anderson, director of ISU choral activities. "Weston is an American choral 'legend' and may not be doing this kind of work much longer. It is a unique privilege for him to be here for the festival."
Noble was the director of choral activities and conductor of the world renowned Nordic Choir at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, for 55 years. Noble has served as guest conductor for more than 775 music festivals in the United States and abroad. He has adjudicated at the International Festival of Three Cities (Vienna, Budapest, and Prague) and served as the band consultant and guest director of the Association for the International Cultural Exchange in Vienna.
He has conducted more than 75 all-state bands, choirs and orchestras and the only director asked to conduct all-state groups in all three media—bands, choirs and orchestras. Noble has also been honored by numerous awards from a variety of American and international choral organizations.
At the ISU High School Choral Invitational Festival Concert, Noble will be conducting students from Timberline (Boise), Bear Lake, Blackfoot, Bonneville, Century, Hillcrest, Idaho Falls, Madison, Middleton, Minico, Moscow, Preston, Skyline and Snake River high schools.
"This is also the most high schools and students we've had participate in the 20-year history of the choral festival," Anderson said.
Admission is $5 for the general public; $3 for ISU faculty and staff; $2 for precollege students; and free to ISU students with valid Bengal ID cards. Children under 6 will not be admitted into concerts.
For more information, contact the ISU music department, 282-3636.