U. Singers ready for European tour

In the six years that Brady Allred has been the University of Utah's director of choral conducting, he's taken his choirs to two major choral competitions in Europe — and come home with winners both times.

Now, Allred's hoping to make it three for three.

Later this month, the University Singers will participate in the prestigious International Chamber Choir Competition in Marktoberdorf, Germany, a small town about 60 miles outside Munich. They'll compete against 11 other choirs from eight countries.

"We're entered in two categories," Allred told the Deseret News. "One category is for mixed choir, the other is for a youth choir for singers 21 and younger."

Each category consists of two rounds, and the choirs are required to perform a varied repertoire that represents several musical periods. There is no elimination after the first round, Allred said. "The elimination took place during the application process." Several hundred choirs from around the world applied, and only 12 were selected to compete.

Allred doesn't want to speculate on the outcome, but he knows the competition will be tough. "The Marktoberdorf competition is a high-level festival. They set themselves apart from the others."

After already winning two international competitions, Allred knows that all eyes will be on him and his choir. "I know the pressure is on me," he said. "We've won everything we've entered up to now."

Allred knows the Marktoberdorf competition well. Two years ago, he was a member of the jury. And back in the 1990s, when he was the music director of the Pittsburgh Bach Choir, Allred took his ensemble to Germany to enter the competition.

"I took them twice," he said. "The first time was in 1995, but we didn't place that year. We returned in 1997 and won."

The competition doesn't begin until May 29, and by then, his choir will have its repertoire down pat, Allred said. He knows the importance of having the singers hone their voices and polish their repertoire prior to a big competition. That's why he's taking them on a 2 1/2 week tour of central Europe before coming to Marktoberdorf.

"Doing so many concerts lets our performances be professional. I want us to perform at a very high level, and repetition lets us do that."

Their last stop before going to Marktoberdorf is Munich, where they will record their current repertoire in the city's famous Himmelfahrtskirche.