PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: February 17, 2004
Contact:   Rachael Sorenson
Phone:    (214) 840-2209

Irving Chorale Names New Director

IRVING, Texas – The Irving Chorale named Harry Wooten Artistic Director of its 60-member organization effective February 3, 2004.

Chorale President, Margaret Pesnell, said the appointment came after an extensive search began at the departure of the Chorale’s second director, Dr. Harrell Lucky.  “Begun last summer, the search committee interviewed candidates from across the Metroplex.  The field narrowed to a select few earlier this winter and Mr. Wooten stood out as our best choice as the Chorale’s third director in 17 years.”

Harry Wooten, also the Minister of Music at Royal Lane Baptist Church in Dallas, will debut as Irving Chorale Artistic Director on May 29 at the Irving Arts Center.  The evening program will feature Broadway show tunes, including selections from The Lion King and Chicago.

A native of Arkansas, Mr. Wooten holds degrees from William Jewell College, Vienna International Music Conservatory and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  He has served churches in Tennessee and Alabama as Minister of Music and appeared as guest soloist, conductor and presenter for numerous workshops and music events.  His choirs have participated in the International Church Music Festival (Coventry Cathedral 1994 and 2000 and Bern, Switzerland 1997) and the Manhattan Festival of Sacred Music 2001.

The Chorale’s next performance will be on March 27 at the Irving Arts Center and will include special guests from the Brookhaven Choral Society.  More than 100 singers will perform a variety of music from Mozart, Schubert, and P.D.Q. Bach under the program heading Classical…and Not So Classical.

The Irving Chorale, a community chorus of singers from Irving and the surrounding area, is enjoying its 17th year of celebrating the excitement and rewards of performing the greatest music of choral repertoire. The membership is dedicated to promoting the highest standards of choral performance.  For performance dates, tickets, audition information, and more details about the Irving Chorale call 972-416-1465 or visit www.irvingchorale.org.