By Katie Scarvey
kscarvey@salisburypost.com
On Friday, 150 fifth-graders and 14 music teachers from Rowan-Salisbury elementary schools gathered at North Rowan High School to participate in the fifth annual Rowan County Elementary Honors Choral Festival.
The festival continues today with students returning at 9 a.m. to prepare for a concert at 4 p.m. in the school’s auditorium.
Early Friday afternoon, clinician Greg Gilpin warmed up the young singers. They enthusiastically followed his lead, responding to his hand signals and mimicking his vocals.
A well-known American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers award-winning choral composer and arranger, Gilpin is in demand as a conductor for choral festivals and all-district and all-state choirs around the country.
Music teachers Beth Yelvington and Lucy Shue co-chaired this year’s festival, which was funded by the Blanche and Julian Robertson Foundation. Yelvington has written a grant for the festival since its inception.
Students were selected after auditioning for their chorus teachers, Yelvington said, with each school allotted a certain number of participants based on enrollment. The teachers then worked with students to learn the songs on the festival program.
During this afternoon’s concert, the singers will be accompanied by Susan Trivette on piano, Daniel Trivette on percussion, Ed Jordan on guitar and Bob Loper on bass.
Admission to today’s concert is free. Donations will be accepted.