International Choral Festival Brings Singers from Across North America to UAlbany
By Bethany Bump
ALBANY, N.Y. (July 8, 2025) — Young singers from across the U.S. and Canada will descend on UAlbany next week for the Pro Musica International Choral Festival, a free weeklong choral institute for high school students to be held July 13-20 at the Performing Arts Center on campus.
Approximately 140 students will stay on campus throughout the duration of the festival, which will include opportunities for students to develop their musicianship through rehearsals, workshops and vocal clinics with renowned faculty and to sing under the direction of esteemed guest conductors and alongside professional ensembles. It will also include three concerts that are open to the public.
Students are coming from across the Capital Region and New York State, as well as from Georgia, New Hampshire, Michigan, New Jersey, Maryland, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Ontario to participate.
“The Pro Musica International Choral Festival represents an incredible opportunity for these young musicians to rehearse and study with world-class artists, to observe and perform with remarkable musical ensembles, and to have an immersive pre-college experience on campus,” said José Daniel Flores-Caraballo, festival director and Opalka Family Artistic Director of Albany Pro Musica. “We’re grateful to the University at Albany for hosting this festival, and for their continued support and shared vision of excellence and impact through arts education.”
The weeklong celebration of vocal talent is an educational program of Albany Pro Musica (APM), the Capital Region’s premiere choral ensemble founded in 1981 by the late UAlbany Distinguished Professor David Griggs-Janower. APM launched the festival in 2023, with plans to offer a festival every two years. The inaugural festival, held at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts at Queen’s University in Ontario, attracted 150 students from across North America.
UAlbany was selected for this year’s festival because of its robust teaching facilities and accommodations and long history of collaboration with APM, which includes partnering on an annual High School Choral Festival that brings hundreds of gifted musicians from Capital Region schools to UAlbany for an intensive day of rehearsal and performance.
“The College of Arts and Sciences and the University at Albany are pleased to host this International Festival along with the prestigious Albany Pro Musica,” said College of Arts and Sciences Dean Jeanette Altarriba. “This meaningful partnership provides high school students with opportunities to learn and work alongside their peers towards the attainment of various goals in their musical and personal development. Providing a venue for students to learn, grow and develop their musical skills and talents is important for the broader community, and UAlbany is proud to be part of this momentous occasion.”
In addition to campus tours, workshops, presentations, panel discussions and rehearsals, students will have an opportunity to get off campus and attend a performance of Oklahoma! at Albany’s Park Playhouse during the weeklong festival.
The festival will also feature three concerts for the public by renowned performers and the students themselves:
A VISION UNFOLDING
EXIGENCE, A Sphinx Vocal Ensemble
Eugene Rogers, artistic director
Monday, July 14, 7:30 p.m.
UAlbany Performing Arts Center
EMERGENT UNIVERSE ORATORIO
Albany Pro Musica and the Mostly Modern Orchestra
José Daniel Flores-Caraballo, Opalka family artistic director
Friday, July 18, 7:30 p.m.
Arthur Zankel Music Center at Skidmore College
MOVING IN THE ELEMENTS: FESTIVAL CLOSING CONCERT AND RECEPTION
Student Festival Chorus
Rollo Dilworth, festival guest conductor and composer
Saturday, July 19, 7:30 p.m.
UAlbany Performing Arts Center (concert) and Campus Center (reception)
For more information or to buy tickets, visit albanypromusica.org/concerts.