The Fredonia Chamber Choir received third place as a National Finalist for the 2024 American Prize.
The choir, under the direction of Dr. Vernon Huff, was tapped as a National Finalist for the second consecutive year in the category of Choral Performance - college/university division (larger program). Other finalists included the University of Arkansas Schola Cantorum, the University of Memphis University Singers, the University of Wisconsin at Madison Treble Choir and Concert Choir, and KU [University of Kansas] Glee. The University of Wisconsin at Madison Concert Choir took first place.
Performances submitted by Dr. Huff as part of the competition entry included “Nunc Dimittis” by Paul Smith, “Music in the Night” by Elaine Hagenberg, and “Wondrous Love,” Traditional, arr. Parker-Shaw.
Dr. Huff noted, "I am thrilled that the Fredonia Chamber Choir has for the second year in a row placed nationally in the American Prize for Collegiate Choirs. This is a testament to the dedication of our students and amazing teaching our School of Music faculty. Hopefully, this will continue to let families and future students know that if they come to Fredonia, they will receive a world-class musical education!"
The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts presents the annual awards. The description on its website states, “The American Prize is unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, directors, ensembles and composers in the United States at professional, college/university, community and high school levels, based on submitted recordings. Now in its 13th year, The American Prize was founded in 2010 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts. Thousands of artists from all 50 states have derived benefit from their participation in the contests of The American Prize, representing literally hundreds of communities and arts organizations across the nation.”
