Virginia Tech Chamber Singers, the most selective choral group on campus, was chosen as the only collegiate choir to sing at the statewide Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) Conference this November in Hot Springs, Virginia.

VMEA advocates for music education and provides a multitude of opportunities for students and professionals to expand their music knowledge.

“This exciting opportunity is a point of pride for the entire Virginia Tech community, and especially for the committed students in the Chamber Singers,” said their choir director, Dwight Bigler.

“It’s an honor for me to be a part of the top choral ensemble at Virginia Tech,” said Jonathan Elmore, a junior music major. “I have had so many wonderful experiences with the Virginia Tech Chamber Singers, including a trip to Carnegie Hall to perform during my freshman year. The most rewarding part of being in this choir is that I get to rehearse and perform at the top level every day with my friends, and that’s rarely found today.”

To be considered for this performance opportunity, the ensemble had to submit audio files of work spanning the past two years. The process was much like NBC’s “The Voice,” in which judges know only what type of choir is performing, such as a collegiate chamber choir or high-school chamber choir, but not the specific group.

Bigler expects the VMEA performance to be a great springboard for the Chamber Singers as they head to Spain next May to perform and immerse themselves in the local culture.

“I’m excited to share our music with those across the pond,” said Elmore, who will be traveling with the group. “But I’m also excited about Spain’s food and scenery!”

If you’d like to help the Chamber Singers travel to Spain, you can donate to the group’s crowdfunding campaign, which will run through Oct. 30.

The Chamber Singers will also join the Women’s Ensemble and Tech Men at the Virginia Tech Choirs’ fall performance on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 4 p.m. in the Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre of the Moss Arts Center. Tickets, which are $10 for general admission and $7 for students, may be purchased online, at the Moss Arts Center’s box office, or by calling 540-231-5300. Tickets will also be available at the box office beginning one hour prior to the performance.

A video of a previous Virginia Tech Chamber Singers performance at the Moss Arts Center is available here.

Written by Anna Wehr, a graduate student in arts leadership in the School of Performing Arts.