THE 2007 COLUMBIA Union College Choral Festival was held on February 7-10 at CUC's main campus just outside Washington, DC and the reaction of those who participated has been very positive.

'Wow!' was the word used by Lindsey, a high-school senior who attended the 4-day festival. 'I've never sung in a choir that produced that much sound,' she added. 'I think it helped to have the orchestra playing with us. All I can say is Wow!'

Festival members rehearsed for more than 12 hours with Dr. James Bingham, Chair of the CUC music department and director of the Columbia Collegiate Chorale and the CUC Pro Musica. In some brief remarks during Friday evening's concert at Spencerville Church, Dr. Bingham praised the festival participants, saying they were 'among the best he has ever had' in his 30 years of directing choral festivals. In addition to the Friday vespers concert, the chorus also provided the music for church services at Sligo Church on Sabbath.

Although the rehearsals were long and the students put in a lot of hard work, there was some also some down time, particularly on Thursday afternoon when the entire festival choir went to downtown Washington for a private tour of the National Cathedral and dinner at famous Union Station.


'The Cathedral was amazing,' remarked one participant. 'I'd do anything to be able to perform there.'

(photos: (top) Festival Chorus at Sligo Church; (right) sopranos from Spencerville Adventist Academy stop for a picture)

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