Dr. Julian Ackerley has been apponted Artistic Director of
the 1999 American Youth Choir that will participate in the International
Children's Choir Festival in China this August. The festival is
being organized by the International Society for Children`s Choral
and Performing Arts (ISCCPA). The American Youth Choir is comprised
of 42 selected singers from Arizona, California, Mississipi, Ohio,
Texas and Virginia.
Ackerley is the long term director of the Tucson Arizona Boys
Chorus, currently in his 20th season leading the local group.
During his tenure he has garnered international recognition as
a clinician and guest conductor of children`s choirs. Most recently
he was the Associate Conductor of the International Children's
Festival Choir in 1997 and 1998 and has been invited to be a clinician
at America Fest 2000.
The American Youth Choir will travel to China from August 13th
to 27th giving performances in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Beijing
and Tianjin. As a warm-up to the international trip, concerts
will also be given in Tucson and Phoenix.
"Dr. Ackerley was chosen director of the American Youth Choir
because of his outstanding ability as a conductor of youth choirs
and the experience he has had with touring choruses and international
programming," said Jack Kukuk, Chairman of the ISCCPA. "'We
are thrilled to have Dr. Ackerley as the conductor of the American
choir. He brings a wonderful energy to the festival and has consistenly
led choirs of the highest artistic quality. He truly is a master
teacher and has the respect of his colleagues in the United States
and abroad.
For more information please call (602) 983-9360 or e-mail
at [email protected]