Summer Choral Institute for all

For several years, in fact since returning to Utah to become director of choral studies at the University of Utah, Brady Allred has wanted to establish a summer choral institute that would be aimed at everyone who enjoys singing.

And given that Utah is known for its choral tradition, that would include practically every man, woman and child in the state.

Allred hopes that many of them will take part in the new institute scheduled to get under way Thursday.

This isn't a new idea with Allred, who, besides his job at the U., is also the director of the Salt Lake Choral Artists. It was something he started in Pittsburgh, where he was the music director of the Pittsburgh Bach Choir.

"We had three very successful summers there, and it's been something I've wanted to do here," Allred told the Deseret Morning News.

There are four sessions. The first three will feature a certain composer or period, and will start on a Thursday and end the following Saturday. The fourth will explore some of the most famous choral works and takes place on four consecutive Tuesday evenings.

The session that begins Thursday is devoted to the music of Mack Wilberg. Among the works that will be sung is the "Tres Cantus Laudendi" ("Three Songs of Praise"). The University of Utah Singers will also participate. "I wanted a large enough group to balance the brass," Allred said.

The next session runs June 21-23. The main work that will be sung is John Rutter's "The Mass of the Children."

The third segment, devoted to the baroque, runs June 28-30. Among the works performed are Vivaldi's Gloria and J.S. Bach's Magnificat.

The final session starts June 19 and runs over four consecutive Tuesdays. Selections from Haydn's "Creation," Brahms' Requiem (in Lara Hoggard's version), Mendelssohn's "Elijah" and Mozart's Requiem will be sung.

All of the sessions are open to high school and adult singers, while the second session will also be open to children.

"I want to reach out to folks who want to sing but don't have the time during the year," Allred said. "We don't require auditions, and we're sending out practice CDs with the music packets so people can practice before the sessions start, because rehearsal time is limited."