Dr. William Skoog, chair of the Rhodes Department of Music and director of choral activities, will serve as artistic director for this year’s Paris Choral Festival June 30-July 5, 2014. This festival brings American mixed voice choirs to Paris to sing en masse in celebration of the centuries-old Franco-American friendship.
As part of the festival on July 3, Skoog will conduct a concert at La Madeleine church presented in honor of the 70th anniversary of D-Day—the Battle of Normandy and the Liberation of France in World War II.
Featured on this concert will be Gabriel Fauré’s “Requiem,” performed in the church where the work was premiered, and the European premiere of Jennifer Higdon’s “The Singing Rooms,” with the composer in attendance. The festival will feature patriotic works to honor the occasion, culminating in a grand musical commemoration for the heroes that fought for freedom during the invasion.
Members of the Rhodes Master Singers Chorale will sing in the 500-person chorus.