Bellevue Chamber Chorus took first prize in the Adult Mixed Chorus category at the 2008 International Choral Kathaumixw festival held in Powell River, B.C., July 1-5.

During the festival, the Chorus performed in two juried competitions and four concerts, which were shared with a combination of adult and youth choirs. The competitions were adjudicated by an international jury of conductors and composers from Canada, France, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

In recognition of their award, the Chorus, directed by Dr. Fredrick Lokken, performed before the grand festival assembly at the awards ceremony along with other first prize winners in all competition categories. Included in that performance was another Seattle-area winning choir: the Columbia Children’s Choir, directed by Steve Stevens.

During the final day of the festival, Bellevue Chamber Chorus also participated in the massed choir performance of over 1,000 voices as part of the festival’s closing ceremony.  

After the festival the Chorus joined with Ozvena Youth Chorus from Slovakia for a five-day singing tour through portions of BC’s Interior.

Founded in 1984, the Chorus is a non-profit organization consisting of approximately 30, auditioned, professional and avocational musicians of diverse backgrounds. The Chorus performs music of various styles and musical periods, from the Renaissance to contemporary eras, and from world folk music to vocal jazz, on its three-concert subscription series, as well as an annual performance of Handel’s Messiah with the Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra.

More details can be found at www.bellevuechamberchorus.net