ROYAL CITY - Members of the Royal High School (RHS) Chamber Choir made a special memory recently when they performed at the 21st Annual WSU Educational Choral Festival.

The Vocal/Choral department within the WSU School of Music sponsors the annual festival. It is designed to assist high school programs in providing an early, motivational opportunity for musical growth.

"Learning new concepts and reinforcing the concepts Mr. Mietenkorte has taught us to make our choir better was a great opportunity," junior soprano Areisy Espino said.

This year's festival was held on Oct. 18. The RHS Chamber Choir was directed by Royal School District Music Director Erich Mietenkorte. It was accompanied by pianist Marnie Bergeson.

"The Educational Choral Festival is meant to excite, encourage, and educate students, developing a spirit of camaraderie and commitment," Mietenkorte said.

Each participating choir had the opportunity to perform in Kimbrough Concert Hall and work exclusively with WSU choral professors in the privacy of their own rehearsal room. Singers were encouraged to try new ideas and work toward high musical standards and their goals.

"This festival gave us the ability to really hone our skills with the choral professors of the WSU School of Music," Mietenkorte said. "The private workshops that we had with our clinicians really gave the choir confidence in their vocal ability and helped create a more mature sound.

"It also helped validate the concepts that I am teaching in my classroom because I have had students on more than one occasion mention to me that they had 'heard that before in class' when working with the WSU professors.

The RHS Chamber Choir consists of students grades 9-12 who are advanced level singers. They went through an audition process to be accepted into the group.

"Students need to have a high level of proficiency at singing and reading music to not only be accepted but to remain in the group," Mietenkorte said.

The RHS Chamber Choir performed three pieces, "Closer to the Flame" by Susan Boersma, "Address to the Moon" by John Purifoy, and "Nearer My God to Thee" by Lowell Mason.

The RHS Chamber Choir's participation in this festival helped prepare for the upcoming Music Department Fall Concert. It will he held tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. in the Royal Middle School Gym.

"Being able to listen to performances of other high schools as well as the WSU Choirs allowed us to compare and contrast our own abilities and showed us where we are strong and where we can work harder," junior bass Anthony Hebdon said.

The chamber choir will be joined by the 6th grade Beginning Band, 7/8th grade Advanced Band, High School Concert Choir and High School Concert Band at the Fall Concert.

"The students definitely enjoyed the atmosphere of the festival. Being on a college campus and working with professional vocalists really got them excited about what they are trying to achieve together as a group." Mietenkorte said.

"It allowed them to see a bigger picture and that music is something that stays with you for a lifetime."