The Dubuque Community School District will host an inaugural music event for Dubuque-area men when it presents “River City HarMENy,” a daylong music festival on Saturday, Oct. 12.
The festival will feature large men’s choir including male singers from grade six through adult. Participants will rehearse throughout the day beginning at 9 a.m. and the event will conclude with a public performance at 5 p.m. in the Roosevelt Middle School auditorium. Cost to attend the concert is $5 and doors will open at 4:30 p.m.
“River City HarMENy is an opportunity for male vocalists in the Dubuque Community School District to experience the power of making vocal music with other men who range in age from middle school to college to adulthood,” said Cheryl Werner, the district’s fine arts coordinator. “It is a rich opportunity to be empowered, enriched and energized.”
The guest director of the festival is Michael Engelhardt, conduction of the Millikin Men from Millikin University. Engelhardt has conducted numerous choral, pop, and vocal jazz ensembles throughout his career at such institutions as the University of Northern Iowa, Hannibal-LaGrange College, Alderson Broaddus University, Willow Creek Community Church, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and Millikin University. As a composer and songwriter, his music has been performed and recorded recently by such groups as Cantus and Chapter 6, and has been featured on numerous ACDA and All-State programs by college and high school choirs. He has shared the stage with pop music legends such as Ben Folds (Ben Folds Five, NBC’s The Sing-Off), Kerry Livgren (Kansas), and Abraham Laboriel, Sr. (bass player for Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and Michael Jackson).
The Millikin Men, a 55-voice made up of first-year students at Millikin University, will be guest performers at the festival. The Dubuque Music Men will also provide assistance at the festival.
For more information, contact the DCSD School and Community Relations Office at (563)552-3020.
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