Concert Choir
Dr. Anna Hamre, Director
Comprised of about 65 auditioned singers, the Fresno State Concert Choir maintains an active performing schedule on and off campus. The ensemble has premiered numerous works, including "Three Japanese Folksongs" by Misuzu McManus, which is recorded on the Santa Barbara Press Octavos series. In addition to performing throughout the Central Valley, the group appears frequently with the regional professional Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra. Members of the Concert Choir made an appearance in China in cultural events leading up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and they performed in Vienna in 2009. Singers will have the opportunity to travel to Italy to perform in 2011. While most members are music majors, the ensemble includes excellent singers from across the campus. The group annually hosts a choral festival (attracting almost 70 choirs) that has featured conducting luminaries Rodney Eichenberger, Eph Ehly, Jing Ling-Tam, and Z. Randall Stroope. It also organized the first California Real Men Sing! Festival, an event that annually fills the concert hall while inspiring similar spin-off events around the state.
The legendary Carol Channing performing with the Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra and Concert Choir students.
Central-Valley High School singers perform under the directon of Dave Hensley at last year's "Real Men Sing"