The Jackson State University Concert Chorale
Dr. Loretta Galbreath, Conductor
The Jackson State University Concert Chorale is under the direction of Dr. Loretta Galbreath. The Jackson State University concert chorales have established and maintain high standards of chorale excellence through the years. Annual recruitment and concert tours throughout the United States have attracted talented students into its ranks. A consistent winner of awards and honors, the chorale can boast that it has won trophies and monetary prizes from the Negro Spiritual Festival Competition, held annually in Cincinnati, Ohio and New South Expo Choral Competition in Birmingham, Alabama. The Chorale performed at the American Choral Director’s Association(ACDA) Convention in Mississippi, a center stage performance lauded with standing ovations at the Southern Regional ACDA in Birmingham, Alabama (October 1993), and performed at the ACDA National Convention held in Phoenix,Arizona in 1991. During 1988, The Chorale toured West Germany and Austria, where again, standing ovations were given whether it was during a worship service at the Schubertskirche or an impromptu performance at the Salzburg Cathedral. In, March 1988, the chorale performed at the Vocal Extravaganza in Black 1988 held Las Vegas, Nevada. Other recent performances include: Fanfare concert at Southeaster Louisiana University in Hammond, La(1995); American Guild of Organist Concert in Jackson,MS(1997);St Paul’s Episcopal Church Chamber Music Series in Meridian,MS(1998); as well performance of “Camina Burana: with the Mississippi Chorus and Symphony of Jackson,MS(1996). During the years of 1994 and 1998, the chorale toured the Midwestern states (St. Louis, MO and Chicago, IL) and other states including Mississippi; Evanston, IL; Indianapolis, IN; and Louisville, KY. In 2000, chorale was featured in the 2000 National Transportation Civil Rights Conference in Biloxi,MS; “Belshazzar’s Feast” with Mississippi Chorus and Symphony; Vocal Extravaganza in Black 2000 PBS Special in Las Vegas, NE; and toured the states of Arkansas, Tennessee, and Ohio. In 2001, the Chorale was invited to perform at the Southeastern Regional America Guild or Organists Convention. The chorale was overwhelmingly received with standing ovations from the audience of distinguished organists and chorale directors from eight southeastern states. The 2003 performance of Schubert’s Mass in G with the Mississippi Symphony orchestra merited a similar reception. The University Chorale toured Italy in April 20087 through a special invitation to participate in the prestigious “Days of International Choir Music in Verona” where the group won the silver trophy in completion with over 30 choirs from over the world. The tours took the group to Milan Verona, Venice and Rome. In 2008, the Chorale performed two concerts with the Mississippi Symphony at Jackson’s Thalia Mara Hall, receiving standing ovations.