The ETSU Department of Music is gearing up to unite high school and collegiate singers through an unforgettable festival. The 2025 ETSU Choir Fest provides high school choir students an invaluable opportunity to work alongside ETSU faculty and students.
Throughout the clinic, each participating choir will engage in workshop rehearsals led by members of the ETSU vocal faculty including Dr. Lauren Ramey, Dr. Mathew Patterson, Mr. Thomas Richardson and Dr. Alan Stevens. Once each ensemble clinic has wrapped up, all participants will come together to form a massive 600-voice ensemble to rehearse three pieces for the final concert later that evening.
“Not everyone gets selected to sing in big groups like All East or All State, so we wanted this to be open to everybody where anyone can come sing and get that big choir experience,” said Dr. Alan Stevens, Director of Choral Activities and conductor of ETSU Chorale.
Though this iteration of the festival is new, ETSU has a long tradition of hosting high school choral events. The Men in Song and Women in Song festivals were staple events before the pandemic, and this year marks the first large-scale high school choir festival since 2020. After its five-year hiatus, this cherished festival promises to return with renewed energy while still placing ETSU’s commitment to accessibility, engagement and musical excellence at the forefront.
While a highlight of this collaborative concert will be the 450 high school students performing along with the 150 ETSU students, the grand finale will also see performances from ETSU ensembles such as The Belles, Chorale and Ascension.
“This is a chance for us to showcase what ETSU has to offer,” said Stevens. “We want these students to see the incredible opportunities available here, whether they pursue music professionally or just enjoy singing.”
For many in the department, the ETSU Choir Fest is more than a recruitment event, it’s a celebration of music and community.
“We just want everyone to have a good time,” said Stevens. “It’s about bringing people together through music and creating something really special.”
As this new tradition takes root, ETSU continues to enrich the musical landscape in the region and inspire the next generation of musicians. Following this grand celebration of community through music, attendees and community members are invited to experience a performance by Grammy Award-Winning Chanticleer.
