June 9, 2005

Senior vocalists invited to Elderhostel music workshop at Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Vocalists who are at least 55 years old can fine-tune their talent at the Elderhostel Choral Music Workshop June 19-25 at Purdue University.

During the weeklong workshop, participants will sing, rehearse and prepare choral arrangements under the direction of Brian Breed, Purdue Musical Organizations director. Breed, who oversees the Purdue Varsity Glee Club and the PMO Christmas Show, is a protégé of master choral director Fred Waring.

Participants may stay in an air-conditioned, on-campus residence hall or commute. The week will conclude with a free community concert in Hillenbrand Hall at 2 p.m. Friday, June 24.

Forty-five singers from eight states, including Georgia, California and New Jersey, have registered so far. Elderhostel coordinator Mary Gardner says the workshop remains a popular event that the PMO staff looks forward to each year.

"Elderhostel is always a highlight of my summer," Gardner says. "We look forward to reuniting with our friends back on campus for another fun-filled, yet intensive, choral learning workshop. Our workshop participants become lifelong partners in our pursuit of musical excellence all year long. Some of our friends have been coming back for years."

For more information on the workshop or for registration materials, contact Gardner at (765) 494-5760. More information about Elderhostel programs is available from the national Elderhostel office, 11 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02111-1746. The toll-free number is (877) 426-8056. On the Internet, visit the Elderhostel home page.

Writer: Marydell Forbes, (765) 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu

Source: Mary Gardner, (765) 494-5760, megardner@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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