SC Choir Sings Beethoven’s 9th with Wyoming Symphony

Imagine coming to a small community college to study music, and having the opportunity right away to prepare for and perform in a large concert complete with a professional orchestra and multiple other choirs. Nine Sheridan College choral students were recently able to do just that!

Last October, the Sheridan College Chamber Choir was invited, along with other choirs from across Wyoming, to sing a performance of Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony with the Wyoming Symphony.  Dr. Robert Psurny, Sheridan College Director of Choirs and Vocal Studies, applied for funding from the Sheridan College Foundation to help with travel expenses for nine students to experience this unique opportunity.

The students worked diligently with the challenging music in their regular classes, then traveled to Casper where the massed choirs united for one rehearsal with a piano. This was followed by a rehearsal with the orchestra in the evening, a dress rehearsal the following morning, and the final concert performance that evening.

Dr. Psurny was very pleased with the result. “The concert performance was excellent! I believe this project was very successful, both from the perspective of student growth and experience, and with respect to the final musical product of the concert.”

This project represented an amazing opportunity for Sheridan College Choral Students, since Sheridan College could not undertake a concert of this magnitude on its own.  This project provided our students unique educational opportunities for a musical challenge, collaboration, and an enhanced performance experience.

All nine students that participated in this opportunity replied that they would definitely be interested in participating in a similar project in the future. Thanks to our generous donors, Sheridan College Foundation was able to help give these students an extraordinary experience; one they won’t soon forget!