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General Info
General Info
What is the Desert Rose Festival?
What is the Desert Rose Festival?
The Desert Rose Choral Festival is a three-day festival celebrating treble voices through collaborative singing, inspiring performances, and professional instruction. Students from middle and high schools rehearse together in festival choirs led by nationally recognized clinicians and conclude the weekend with a public concert.
Who can participate?
Who can participate?
Any treble voice middle or high school student who sings in a school choir is welcome to participate. Schools may bring a full choir or just a few students. Most participating schools are from the Las Vegas area, but some hail from northern Nevada and even out of state.
Is this a competitive festival?
Is this a competitive festival?
No. Desert Rose is a non-competitive educational festival focused on musical growth, collaboration, and community.
Where is the festival held?
Where is the festival held?
The festival takes place on the campus of UNLV's School of Music.
Music & Rehearsals
Music & Rehearsals
Do students need to prepare music before the festival?
Do students need to prepare music before the festival?
No. All music is learned during the festival, making this a low-stress event for both students and directors.
What kind of music will students sing?
What kind of music will students sing?
A variety of quality treble choral literature selected by the festival clinicians.
Will middle school and high school students sing together?
Will middle school and high school students sing together?
Separate festival choirs are formed for middle school and high school students. At the final concert there will be a grand-scale, multi-generational choir combining all middle school and high school participants with university and professional singers.
Registration and Schedule
Registration and Schedule
How much does it cost?
How much does it cost?
Students: $50. This cost includes a sheet music packet, lunch, and a festival t-shirt and also helps cover the cost of accompanists, facilities, and staff.
Teachers: $20. This cost includes dinner on Friday night, lunch on Saturday, and admission to all performances and rehearsals. CCSD teachers will receive approximately 3 CUs for participation.
How do you register?
How do you register?
Teachers complete one online registration form for all of their school's participants.
Can students register individually?
Can students register individually?
No. Registration is handled through each student's choir director.
Are students required to participate in all three days of the festival?
Are students required to participate in all three days of the festival?
No. Thursday night's concert, featuring headliner choir mirabai, is open to all students but not required. Purchase ticekts online HERE.
Friday's keynote address and teacher networking dinner are not open to students, but the Friday evening concert is open to students and the general public (purchse tickets online here).
Saturday is an all-day event for students; because all the music is being learned that day, the full day's participation is essential for a rewarding concert experience!
What does the Saturday schedule look like?
What does the Saturday schedule look like?
See the schedule page for details.
Is lunch provided on Saturday?
Is lunch provided on Saturday?
Yes. Lunch is included in the student registration fee.
Will students receive a Festival T Shirt?
Will students receive a Festival T Shirt?
Yes! Each student receives a festival T Shirt with a new design each year.
What to bring and wear
What to bring and wear
What should I wear on Saturday?
What should I wear on Saturday?
Students should wear blue jeans or blue denim skirt, comfortable shoes, and their Festival T-Shirt (provided at check-in). This year's T- Shirt is black.
What should I bring?
What should I bring?
Water bottle
Pencil (or two!)
Comfortable shoes
snacks
a positive attitude
There is no need to bring a lunch (it is provided!) or a black binder/folder (it is included with your sheet music packet at check-in). Your sheet music and folder are yours to keep after the festival!
Participation
Participation
Do I have to audition?
Do I have to audition?
No! Just tell your teacher you want to participate and they will register you for the festival.
Do I have to be an advanced singer?
Do I have to be an advanced singer?
No. Any treble voice choir student is welcome!
Will I meet students from other schools?
Will I meet students from other schools?
Yes. One of the goals of Desert Rose is building friendships and community among singers.
Will I perform in the concert?
Will I perform in the concert?
Yes. Every registered participant performs in the final concert. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sing alongside a professional women's chorus like mirabai!
Logistics
Logistics
Where do students check in?
Where do students check in?
On Saturday, all students will check in in the Beam Music Center on UNLV Campus. Look for the signs!
What time should students arrive?
What time should students arrive?
Check in will begin at 8:30 am. See the schedule page for full details.
Where should parents pick up students at the end of the day?
Where should parents pick up students at the end of the day?
After the final concert, parents should meet their children in the lobby or outside of Ham Concert Hall.
Is the campus accessible?
Is the campus accessible?
Yes! UNLV recently completed a major project to build ADA-compliant ramps and stairs near the Performing Arts Center plaza and the Flashlight sculpture.
What if I have a dietary restriction?
What if I have a dietary restriction?
We will make every effort to include a meal for all students that is suitable for their dietary needs and restrictions. If a student has significant dietary restrictions and would prefer to arrange their own meal, they also have the option to opt-out of lunch by informing their teacher prior to registration.
Concerts
Concerts
Which concert is my student singing in?
Which concert is my student singing in?
Students are performing in the Saturday concert only. Students are all welcome to join the audience for the Thursday and Friday evening concerts. They will be excellent performances featuring exceptional treble choirs!
How long is the Saturday concert and when does it start?
How long is the Saturday concert and when does it start?
The Saturday concert in will begin at 5:30 pm and is estimated at 60-80 minutes in length. See the schedule page for full details.
Are tickets required for the concerts?
Are tickets required for the concerts?
Yes, all three of the concerts will be ticketed. Here is the info on tickets:
Thursday Sept 24 concert with mirabai + LVA's Bella Voz $10.00
Purchase tickets here
Friday Sept 25 concert with UNLV Argenta and Desert Singers Las Vegas:
Online: $12.50; In-Person at the UNLV PAC Box Office $10.00
Ticket price includes fees. Discounts available.
Purchase tickets online here
Saturday Sept 26 concert with Festival Choirs and more:
Online: $14.25; In-Person at the UNLV PAC Box Office: $11.75
Ticket price includes fees. Discounts available.
Purchase tickets online here.
Can I purchase tickets at the door?
Can I purchase tickets at the door?
Yes, while supplies last! We anticipate sold-out concerts on Thursday and Friday evenings.
What is the location of each concert?
What is the location of each concert?
Thursday Sept 24 concert with mirabai + LVA Choirs: LVA Lowden Theater, 875 E Clark Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Friday Sept 25 concert with UNLV Argenta and Desert Singers Las Vegas: UNLV Dr. Arturo Rando-Grillot Hall, 4327-4371 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89154
Saturday Sept 26 concert with Festival Choirs and more: UNLV Artemus Ham Concert Hall, 4505 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89154
Thursday: LVA Lowden Theater
Friday: UNLV Rando Recital Hall
Saturday: UNLV Ham Concert Hall
Got other questions? We'd love to hear them!
Got other questions? We'd love to hear them!
email choir@unlv.edu and we'll respond within 24 hours
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