Gospel Music Celebration

**RESCHEDULED FOR MARCH 17**

In March, the Lafayette Choirs will present a Gospel Celebration Festival featuring all Lafayette Choirs and our first ever Artist in Residence, Dr. Roosevelt Escalante, composer and conductor. The festival will consist of three days of rehearsal and a fantastic culminating performance on ~~Friday March 2~~ SATURDAY, MARCH 17 at the UK Singletary Center. Dr. Escalante will open the festival on Wednesday, February 29 with a combined festival choir rehearsal in Beeler auditorium. After the first rehearsal he will audition students for a number of solo parts. On Thursday, Dr. Escalante will lead rehearsals of all choir classes and after school will convene the second combined rehearsal. On Friday, Dr. Escalante will give a presentation on harmony and improvisation to the Musicianship and AP Music theory classes. On Friday after three days of work, our culminating performance will be held at UK Singletary Center Concert Hall.

Dr. Escalante is an expert in Black Gospel music. He is regularly sought after as guest artist and clinician conducting numerous Gospel festivals throughout the country. Roosevelt Escalante, Jr. serves as the Assistant Director of Choral Activities at Morehead State University. Some of his duties include conducting the University Chorus, the Jazz Vocal Ensemble, the Black Gospel Ensemble, teaching private voice and choral methods. Dr. Escalante is an active conductor and choral clinician. Some of his recent guest appearances include the Kentucky Music Educator’s District 8 Honor Chorus, the Stetson University Honor Chorus, the Wilkes County Honor Choir, the Brownsburg High School Choral Festival, and the New Albany High School Gospel Celebration. Additionally, Dr. Escalante is avid composer of Gospel music and has held several music ministry positions. His professional affiliations include Phi Mu Alpha, Kentucky Music Educator’s Association, and the American Choral Director’s Association.

Help us spread the word for a packed house on Friday, March 2. Click and share links. Share on Facebook or Twitter. Poster/flyers are available from the Lafayette Choir Office (381-3492) or for download here.

This event is sponsored in part by a Fayette County Schools Visiting Artist Grant as well as the Lafayette Chorus Boosters. Lodging for our artist in residence is provided by The Campbell House, Crowne Plaza.