April 11-14, 2013

April 24-27, 2014

The Charleston International Festival of Choirs invites vocal ensembles from across the United States, Canada and Europe to this quintessential Southern city to perform music specific to their diverse backgrounds.

Over the course of three days, choirs will perform individual concerts in stunning venues while enjoying a one-on-one workshop and group rehearsals with Dr. Rollo Dilworth in preparations for a grand Massed Sing performance on Saturday night.

Discover incredible sights, warm hospitality, and a deep local appreciation for choral tradition in charming South Carolina.

THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013 | ARRIVE IN CHARLESTON | OPENING CEREMONY

Welcome to South Carolina! Upon arrival in Charleston, transfer to the hotel and check in. Later, depart for the Festival Opening Ceremony. Meet the other participating choirs and enjoy a welcome concert performed by the local host choir. Following the performance, choirs gather together for the first rehearsal of the Massed Sing Concert under the direction of Dr. Rollo Dilworth.

This evening, dinner can be arranged for the group at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel for the night.

FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2013

SINGING & SIGHTSEEING IN CHARLESTON | CONCERT

Following breakfast in the hotel dining room, transfer to historic downtown Charleston for a two-hour rehearsal of the Massed Sing music selection with Dr. Dilworth. Throughout the remainder of the morning, each choir meets individually with Dr. Dilworth for a one-on-one workshop to go over current repertoire or practice the Massed Sing selections further.

This afternoon, high school and university choirs visit local schools or universities to perform a concert for the student body. Adult choirs visit local senior centers or community venues where they are invited to perform a concert. The remainder of the afternoon is free for choirs to visit local attractions, explore shops, enjoy street performers, and to sample authentic southern cuisine.

Optionally, a dinner cruise can be arranged for your choir this evening. Enjoy breathtaking views of the city and its surrounding coast as seen from the open water.

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012

SINGING IN CHARLESTON | MASSED SING CONCERT

Following breakfast in the hotel, return for a three-hour stage rehearsal with Dr. Dilworth. Spend the remainder of the morning at leisure, shopping and exploring the sights of downtown Charleston.

Early in the afternoon, perform a 30 minute program as part of today’s Festival Concert Series. Enjoy listening to the other guest choirs perform following your concert.

In the evening, perform the Massed Sing Concert conducted by Dr. Rollo Dilworth. Following the concert, all the guest choirs will be presented with plaques and words of gratitude before enjoying dinner, arranged individually.

SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2013 | CHURCH SERVICE | DEPARTURE

Following breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to a local church where your choir is invited to perform as part of the Sunday morning worship service. Afterward, enjoy an opportunity to join the local congregation for fellowship before departing via bus or air for your hometown.

Accommodations

•3 nights in North Charleston or Mount Pleasant

Transportation

•A private, modern, air conditioned motor coach with a professional driver is provided for all transportation as described in the itinerary, including round-trip transfer between the airport and hotel.

Meals

•Breakfast daily in the hotel dining room

Festival Managers

•Multiple Music Contact International festival managers will be at every venue to welcome your choir and assist in coordination.

Performance Opportunities Rehearsals & Workshop

Up to eight performance opportunities
•Three Massed Sing rehearsals under the direction of Dr. Rollo Dilworth
•Concert at school, university, senior center, or local community venue
•Workshop with Dr. Rollo Dilworth
•Historic Church Performance as part of Festival Concert Series
•Massed Sing Performance
•Sunday Morning Church Service

Special Events

•Opening Ceremony with hors d’oeuvres and refreshments on Thursday

Complimentary Places

•Two complimentary land packages for every 30 paying travelers (31st & 32nd travelers are complimentary), based on double occupancy accommodations.

Traveler’s Resource Website

•Featuring: Itinerary, Photo Gallery, Blog, Maps, recommended books, movies, and more!

Web Payment System

•Group leaders have the option to use our Web Payment System, allowing each traveler the opportunity to make individual trip payments online with a debit or credit card via their Traveler’s Resource website. Individuals receive electronic reminders, receipts and statements. Group leaders can track payments made on-line, and receive automated email reporting with balances and due dates.

Additional Materials

•Customized handbook for each person traveling with your choir, including a detailed program and travel information.
•Keepsake DVD video of photos from your tour set to your group’s music.

2013 Festival Director

Rollo Dilworth is Associate Professor of Choral Music Education at Temple University’s Boyer School of Music in Philadelphia, PA. In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in choral music education, he serves as conductor for the University Chorale. Prior to his appointment at Temple, Dr. Dilworth served as Director of Choral Activities and Music Education at North Park University in Chicago, IL for 13 years. Dr. Dilworth holds degrees from Case Western Reserve University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, and Northwestern University. Dr. Dilworth has written and/or arranged over 150 choral works that are currently in print. His choral compositions are a part of the Henry Leck Creating Artistry Choral Series with Hal Leonard Corporation and Colla Voce Music Company. He has also published pieces with the Santa Barbara Music Publishing Company as part of the Mary Alice Stollak Choral Series. Dr. Dilworth is a contributing author for the Essential Elements for Choir and the Experiencing Choral Music textbook series, both published by the Hal Leonard Corporation/Glencoe/McGraw-Hill Publications, and for Music Express! Teachers Magazine.

He authored a book of choral warm-ups for elementary and secondary choral ensembles entitled Choir Builders: Fundamental Vocal Techniques for General and Classroom Use. Dr. Dilworth has co-authored another choral warm-up book entitled Choir Builders for Growing Voices. He frequently serves as a guest conductor and/or clinician for honors, festival and all-state choirs throughout the United States and abroad. Dr. Dilworth is an active member of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), the National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM), the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), and Chorus America. He is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), and currently serves on the Pennsylvania ACDA state board as Repertoire and Standards Chair of Student and Youth Activities.

Dr. Dilworth has released a recording entitled Good News, which features 12 of his choral compositions. Recent choral-orchestral works include Freedom’s Plow, commissioned by the St. Louis Symphony orchestra and IN UNISON® Chorus and Rain Sequence, commissioned by the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia.