Select Page

The chair of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh vocal program and students who are part of the Chamber Choir ensemble are preparing for a performance of a lifetime.

Eric Barnum will be conducting his students on one of the most prestigious concert stages in the world—Carnegie Hall in New York City—in a special event, Vocal Colors, on Friday, May 25. The songs are compositions of Barnum’s and the UWO Chamber Choir will join two other choirs to form a larger chorus to sing the concert.

“It is a wonderful honor and very rare opportunity for this ensemble to be invited by Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) to sing on such a prestigious stage,” Barnum said. “I’m very happy that I could help provide the opportunity for the students of UWO. It is an honor for the University.”

A total of 31 UW Oshkosh students will accompany Barnum, along with Nathan Krueger, an associate professor at UW Oshkosh, who is going as a soloist. The group leaves on May 22.

Barnum received a letter April 14, informing him of the choir’s selection. The residency awarded includes two half-days of rehearsals and clinics, culminating with the performance from 7-9 p.m. May 25 in Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, under Barnum’s direction.

The choir, he said, was screened and invited on the basis of “excellence and quality.” He said it is a great honor to receive an invitation to perform in New York. He said it was natural for the UWO choir to join in the event he was conducting at Carnegie.

“These wonderful musicians not only represent a high quality of music and education, but they also become ambassadors for the entire community,” Barnum said.

The chair of the UW Oshkosh vocal program said he was invited to conduct a choral concert at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall last spring. Next week, he will return to Manhattan to conduct music composed specifically for vocal ensembles.

“Performing on the beautiful Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage of Carnegie Hall cannot be understated as it remains one of the most venerated performance venues in the world,” Barnum said.

Learn more:

  • Music at UW Oshkosh