April is one of the busiest months on Setnor's calendar. Crouse College is buzzing with ensemble performances and student recitals with a performance practically every day of the week in Setnor Auditorium. Sometimes there are more than one! Special events this month include a weeklong residence by Catherine Bolzinger, Director of Choral Activities at our partner institution, the Conservatoire de Strasbourg. She will be in residence April 14-18 to conduct rehearsals, teach conducting classes, and offer master classes. Ms. Bolzinger will also be bringing her professional ensemble, Voix de Strass, for a concert in Setnor Auditorium on April 16. Ms. Bolzinger's visit is part of an annual faculty exchange program between Setnor and the Conservatoire de Strasbourg.

The Concert Choir, conducted by Dr. Elisa Dekaney, will premier Dale Trumbore's Winged Lullaby for SATB choir, cello, and vibraphone on April 23 in Setnor Auditorium. Winged Lullaby is the winner of the 2013 Gregg Smith National Choral Composition Contest, which is the third installment of a biennial choral competition held by Setnor to honor American composer/conductor Gregg Smith and the Gregg Smith Singers. The two previous competition winners were Kala Pierson's The Turning Earth, premiered by the Women's Choir conducted by Dr. Barbara Tagg in 2009 and Michael Rickelton's Pentecost, premiered by University Singers conducted by Dr. John Warren in 2011.

Finally, a highlight of the year at Setnor is the annual Concerto and Aria Concert Competition Winners Concert. It provides an opportunity to showcase our finest student performers appearing as soloists with the Symphony Orchestra. This year's winners are soprano Katie Weiser MM '15 (Performance), flutist Xavier D Boudreaux MM '15 (Performance), and saxophonist Laure Fischer, who is this year's exchange student from the Conservatoire de Strasbourg. The concert will be April 27 at 5:00 in Setnor Auditorium.