MC
Megan Coats
  • music educ-vocal-teaching licensure in grades K-12
  • Class of 2018
  • Sac City, IA

Megan Coats Performs with BVU Concert Choir at Carnegie Hall

2017 Apr 4

Megan Coats , a senior music education major from Sac City , recently performed with the Buena Vista University (BVU) Concert Choir at Carnegie Hall in New York City over spring break on March 26.

"The experience provided students the well-deserved opportunity to showcase their hard work and talent on an internationally recognized stage," said Dr. Merrin Guice, assistant professor of music and director of vocal music at BVU.

The choir spent their 2015-16 school year preparing to compete in the Riva Del Garda International Choir Competition in Riva Del Garda, Italy, and won first place in the mixed repertoire competition there and second place in the sacred competition. During that international competition, a recording was made and sent to Manhattan Concert Productions for audition and review. After listening to the submission, the company invited BVU's Concert Choir to perform a spotlight debut performance at the opening of a choral-orchestral concert of the Schubert "Mass in G" in New York City. The choir also performed three other pieces under the direction of Guice.

"This was a highly selective process, and we are honored to have been the only choral ensemble to perform," said Guice. "This was a special event in the life of the music department and BVU."

To prepare for their Carnegie Hall performance, the choir rehearsed every day-sometimes twice a day-throughout the week while they were in in New York City.

"To be chosen and featured to perform on a world-class stage was awe-inspiring and humbling," added Guice. "The experience wouldn't have been possible without the tireless work and dedication of our students."

In addition to the choir's Carnegie Hall appearance, the group also had the chance to perform at the University of Massachusetts Lowell on March 22 due to the connections Guice made while she was attending a conductor's conference in Italy in 2015.

About Buena Vista University

Since 1891, Buena Vista University has prepared students for lifelong success and blends liberal arts with real-world applications. Our traditional campus on the shores of Storm Lake hosts students in a variety of majors and pre-professional programs, including elementary, secondary, and special education; business and accounting; and biological and chemical sciences. Our 16 degree-completion locations, online, and graduate programs expand student potential with a pace and academic rigor designed for working adults and a variety of class formats that make scheduling even more convenient. With an average scholarship of more than 50 percent off of tuition, BVU is an affordable option for all students. Visit www.bvu.edu.

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