Bridgewater College Chorale to perform at Virginia Music Educators conference

The Bridgewater College Chorale has been invited to perform at the 2024 Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) Conference, which will be held in Norfolk.

The conference will be held Nov. 21-23 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel and the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel, and the Chorale’s concert will be held at noon on Thursday, November 21.

The VMEA’s annual professional development conference is an opportunity for music educators from across the Commonwealth to network, share information about new ideas and technology for teaching music and attend performances conducted by fellow educators. The organization has more than 3,000 members.

Assistant professor of music and director of choral music Dr. Ryan Keebaugh ’02, who will direct the Chorale’s performance, said that being invited to perform for hundreds, or possibly thousands, of conference attendees is no small feat.

“Performing groups have to apply, and with only two slots for college choral performances during the conference, the selection process is quite competitive. This is truly a unique opportunity, both for students in the Chorale and for Bridgewater College,” Keebaugh said.

Chorale member Parker Sale ’25, a music major from Henrico, shares Keebaugh’s excitement. Sale, who is studying to be a music educator, first attended the VMEA’s annual conference in 2023. She said that it was a great chance to learn more about the field and that she is excited to help promote BC by performing this year.

“It is a huge honor. Being able to perform at this conference makes [Bridgewater] more prominent in the music scene,” Sale said.

During their performance, the Chorale will sing Christopher Tin’s “Sogno di Volare,” which the group previously performed at New York City’s Carnegie Hall in June. Tin’s piece will be followed by Dan Forrest’s “Let Me Listen,” Ola Gjeilo’s “Across the Vast Eternal Sky” and Eric Barnum’s “Afternoon on a Hill.” The performance will conclude with “Sing You Home” by Mark Murphy and Maureen Ennis.

The Chorale, a select choral ensemble of 42 students, also sings in BC’s Concert Choir. The Chorale performs on campus throughout the academic year and tours regionally each spring.