Several local high school choirs were invited to The University of Akron to participate in the annual Vocal-Choral Festival on Feb. 3 at E.J. Thomas Hall.

The Vocal-Choral Festival allowed over 200 high school students to experience life on campus for a day and see what it’s like to be a part of the chorus program at UA.

The Lakewood High School Chamber Choir and the Lake High School Blue Reflections spent the day on-campus working with students and directors from the UA choral program from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The students spent most of the time in workshops, practicing various singing techniques with UA choir directors.

The end of the festival resulted in a multi-performance concert, held at E.J. Thomas. Each choir performed their own selections, as well as solos from selected students at the Choral Festival. The concert wrapped up with a collaboration between the high school choirs and the UA chorus.

University Heights student Ema Shubert particularly enjoyed the Vocal Choral Festival.

“I loved the Vocal-Choral Festival,” Shubert said. “The UA directors were awesome. I loved the energy that they brought, how amazing their voices are, and the way they are able to convey what they wanted [from the students] in a way that we could understand and give to them.”

Marie Bucoy-Calavan, director of the festival, said the event is a great experience for high school students.

“It’s wonderful to introduce these students to the choral program,” said Bucoy-Calavan. “I think it’s important for [high school students] to see how college students are continuing music, are passionate about conserving great music, and work really hard to do so.”

The Vocal Choral Fest has steadily grown every year since its debut in 2005. Back then, there were only 40 participants. Last Wednesday there were more than 200 students participating in the concert at E.J. Thomas. This was the first year the event was held in E.J. Thomas.