About 200 students from 10 academies in the Southern and Southeastern California conferences came to La Sierra University for an Invitational Choral Festival Oct. 12-14.

“It would be a dream come true to have every student in the festival come to La Sierra. They were that good,” says E. Earl Richards II, M.Mus., director of choral studies and assistant professor of music who coordinates a chorale festival on campus every other year. “I am always most proud when students come in, learn all they can, have real artistic success and leave singing the material they spent the last 60 hours working with.”

“I was really impressed by your students and the musical quality of their presentation,” says Daniel Jackson, D.W.S., clinician for the chorale festival, associate professor of music and choir conductor at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. “All the high school conductors are so proud of La Sierra University and the academic accomplishment of the institution and specifically the music department.”

The students receive the music for the choral festival at the beginning of their school year and have four to six weeks to learn the selections, ranging from gospel to Mendelssohn. “A potential for great artistry exists in everyone who is dedicated to pursuing it,” says Richards. “Dedication for this festival’s level and experience were on par with the dedication of professionals in their field.”

“On behalf of my students I would like to thank you for providing all of us participants with such a rewarding experience,” says Haroldo Alvarez, San Diego Academy music department. “The guest conductor, Dr. Jackson, did an amazing job putting everything together. More than his musical talents, his spiritual insights were the element that I valued the most. Mr. Richards, you are such a hard working teacher that I don’t even know how you could do all that without losing your cool.”

When not coordinating the festival, Richards teaches intermediate and advanced conducting and freshman orientation. He also conducts the 24-member Chambers Singers, the 70-member University Chorale, the 24-member Men’s Chorus and the 30-member Women’s Chorus. To schedule one of these groups to perform for a local performance, contact Grace Chung at the La Sierra University Music Department, 951-785-2352.

“We are also going to premier an elite group from the Chamber Singers at the Christmas concert, Dec. 1,” adds Richards. For more information on the annual Christmas Candlelight Concert, call 951-785-2036.