Cal State Fullerton Professor of Music Robert Istad and the University Singers have once again been invited to perform on stage at the prestigious bi-annual American Choral Directors Association National Conference March 18-22 in Dallas, Texas.
Selected from hundreds of university choir submissions from across the country, the University Singers were one of five mixed soprano, alto, tenor and bass ensembles chosen to perform at the conference.
Istad and the singers were also invited to perform at the 2013 national conference in Dallas, Texas and last year’s regional conference in Pasadena.
“Many talented conductors never receive an invitation to perform at the ACDA national conference. I feel very fortunate to return with our singers for the second time,” said Istad.
During their tenures, his predecessors in the School of Music, choral directors David Thorsen and John Alexander, also presented choirs at both the regional and national conference level — a legacy of choral excellence stretching back more than 50 years.
This year, the singers will perform repertoire specifically chosen by Istad, which contrasts the romantic choral masterpiece “Opus 29, No.1” by composer Johannes Brahms with works by modern and contemporary composers. Istad commissioned CSUF School of Music alum Jeffrey Derus ’14 (B.A. music-music education) to rework a text by Sufi poet Rumi to make the text more inclusive and inviting.
Derus is the winner of the 2022 ACDA Brock Prize for Professional Composers for his piece “I Will Go.”
“Our program humanizes Brahms in a very special way. We relate to him in this program not as a distant, historical genius, but as a human artist striving to communicate the depth of his artistic soul in sound,” said Istad.
Since 1959, the ACDA has strived to inspire excellence and nurture lifelong involvement in choral music for everyone through education, performance, composition and advocacy.
The ACDA National Conference also presents performances from middle school, high school, children’s, community college, community and professional choirs, making it a veritable choral super concert.
For Istad, the is a tremendous opportunity for the singers to perform on a national stage and learn from other artists. “While it is essential that the national audience hear our students at their very best, I find it most important for them to experience choral artistry at its highest level. I sincerely hope they will each walk away feeling accomplished, inspired and proud.”
The University Singers will perform a preview concert ahead of their appearance at the ACDA National Conference on March 15 at 3 p.m. in Meng Concert Hall.