When the region's top high school singers gather Nov. 2 at the University of Wisconsin-Superior for its annual Chorfest, they will have a special opportunity to learn and perform under the direction of Dr. Craig Jessop, former music director of the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

"I have several friends who have sung under Dr. Jessop, and I have seen him work. He is one of the great conductors of our time for choral musicians," said Dr. Matthew Faerber, director of choral activities at UW-Superior and organizer of Chorfest.

A UW-Superior tradition

This year marks the 29th time that UW-Superior's Music Department has presented Chorfest, a day of music clinics for high school vocalists. The festival concludes with an evening concert by the Tri-State Honor Choir and the UW-Superior choirs.

"Our goal for Chorfest is to give the singers a first-class experience performing a major work with a nationally known conductor," Faerber said "We want the top singers from our region to have an opportunity to sing with other people who have the same level of ability."

Has performed around the world

Jessop has been on the American choral scene for more than three decades. His tenure as music director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and as director of the United States Air Force Singing Sergeants in Washington, D.C., has taken him to the most prestigious concert halls of the nation and around the world.

Under Jessop's musical direction, the Tabernacle Choir received numerous awards, including the National Medal of Arts. He has recorded more than 15 CDs on the Telarc and MTC labels and received a Grammy nomination for his work with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.

Students from 23 schools

Jessop will work with singers from 23 high schools. Wisconsin schools sending singers include Ashland, Bayfield, Bruce, Chetek-Weyerhauser, Hurley, Luck, Medford, New Auburn, Northland Pines, Northwestern, Solon Springs, South Shore, Spooner, St. Croix Falls, Superior, Turtle Lake and Washburn. Minnesota schools participating are Ely, Esko, The Marshall School in Duluth, and Ogilvie. Participating from Michigan is L.L. Wright High School in Ironwood.

The high school singers will join UW-Superior's Acappella Choir and Chamber Choir in presenting an evening concert featuring a performance of excerpts from Franz Joseph Haydn's "Mass in Tme of War," featuring UW-Superior faculty soloist Dr. Vicki Fingalson and guest artist Cal Metts. 

Jessop to conduct UW-Superior students

In addition to conducting at Chorfest, Jessop will conduct a rehearsal of the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra chorus and teach master classes for UW-Superior students.

"He's going to conduct our choir in concert, too," Faerber said. "I'm so excited for our students to get to sing under Craig Jessop. It's a dream."

The Chorfest concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, in Thorpe Langley Auditorium in Old Main on the UW-Superior campus. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for seniors and students.

For more information, call the Music Department at 715-394-8115. For directions to UW-Superior and campus maps, visit the university's website at www.uwsuper.edu/directions.

UW-Superior's Music Department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and is well known for preparing students for careers as music teachers and professional performers. Chorfest is part of the department's ongoing effort to offer additional learning and performance opportunities to young musicians throughout the region.

Thorpe Langley Auditorium is located in Old Main, 1710 Weeks Avenue on the UW-Superior campus.  Free parking is available after 4:30 p.m. in university lots.  For more information, call (715) 394-8115.  For maps and directions to campus, visit www.uwsuper.edu/directions.