Penn State Altoona News

Friday, October 9, 2009 - 402 hits

Penn State Altoona choir to participate in landmark event

,p>ALTOONA – Choirs from six Penn State colleges, including Altoona’s Ivyside Pride, will "Raise the Song!" in a free public concert 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in Harrisburg.

Hosted by Penn State Harrisburg and its School of Humanities, the performance will feature choirs from Altoona, Berks, Erie, Harrisburg, Schuylkill, and University Park. Master of Ceremonies will be Anthony Leach, Penn State’s 2009-10 laureate, associate professor of music and music education in the College of the Liberal Arts, and director of Penn State’s "Essence of Joy" choir.

The performing arts partnership is a first for both the University and Penn State Harrisburg. O. David Deitz, director of Penn State Harrisburg’s choir and the driving force behind the multi-campus participation in the concert says, "This will be the first event of its kind in the history of the University and our college. It is all part of an effort to entertain, display the high level of talent at our locations, and to promote Penn State’s performing arts programs and opportunities."

Deitz says each participating student organization will perform individually for about fifteen minutes with all choirs joining together at the conclusion of the event to sing Mendelssohn’s "Verleih uns Frieden" (Grant us Peace) and the Penn State Alma Mater, from which the "Raise the Song!" concert title is derived. Tickets and information are available by phoning 717-948-6470.