Local students selected to perform in the MCCF include eight Franklin fifth-grade students: Amara Austin, Britney Bouk, Benjamin Clark, Erin Kinne, Claire Moline, Ethan Patterson, Drew Wilber and Noah Woolston. A total of 10 United sixth-grade students including Hunter Glenn, Kate Kokemiller, Jake Krafcisin, Michaela Lendt, Alia Mortenson, Kate Paul, Linsey Schminke, Bailey Schminke, Kelcie Smith and Ashley Ward will participate, as well.
United Vocal Music Director LeAnn Houlette said the 10 sixth-grade students were selected based on pitch memory, tone quality, musicianship and expression. Houlette said the festival presents the students with the opportunity to work alongside other young musicians.
"It's a wonderful opportunity for the students," Houlette said. "They have the chance to work with a composer/conducto,r as well as the conductor at Iowa State, and it gives them a chance to perform in a large ensemble with other students who are very motivated and hardworking."
Franklin students auditioned specifically for their singing parts, and from the students submitted to perform, eight were selected. Franklin Music Director Lois Downs said the festival allows students to make music with others who share a common interest.
"From my standpoint, the opportunity of getting to meet students from around the Midwest who have a similar interest in singing is a real plus," Downs said.
Additionally, Downs and Houlette both said the festival requires a great deal of discipline, being that students are required to rehearse throughout Friday afternoon to put the finishing touches on their performance pieces.
"It's going to be a gorgeous sound, I'm really looking forward to the concert because it's such a nice sound - they work really hard at the rehearsals," Houlette said.
The festival will feature composer and conductor Dr. René Clausen, as well as three separate choirs including the Allegro Community Children's Choir of Kansas City, the Bentonville Children's Choir from Arkansas and the Concert Choir of the Ames Children's Choirs.
Approximately 300 select vocal students from across Iowa will join the featured choirs to form the MCCF Mass Choir, totaling 400 vocalists. Music for the Mass Choir will feature the premiere of a new work written for the festival by Clausen.
The Midwest Children's Choir was established in 1996 by the Ames Children's Choirs program, under the direction of Iowa State University Associate Professor of Music Dr. Sylvia Munsen.
MCCF provides young vocalists in the Midwest with the opportunity to hear and perform with nationally- and internationally-recognized choirs and performers. Past festivals have featured choirs from not only the United States, but other nations including Germany, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
Stephens Auditorium is located in the Iowa State Center between Beach Avenue and Center Drive. Tickets for the MCCF are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available at the Stephens Ticket Office or through TicketMaster at (515)233-1888. For more information call (515)290-1422.
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