CAMPANELLA AT MUSIC FESTIVALS
Every year, Campanella’s Children's Choir is recognized for its excellence and invited to perform at prestigious venues and festivals nationwide and abroad.
2025
Campanella Children’s Choir Wins Top Honors at International XX Choral Kathaumixw
July 1-5, 2025
Powell River, BC, Canada
Representing Illinois at the 20th biennial International Choral Kathaumixw in British Columbia, Canada, Campanella won 1st Place in the Children’s Choirs (18 and under) category, emerging as the top ensemble among over 20 choirs from the USA, Canada, the Philippines, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Slovenia, and Taiwan.
To reach the festival’s breathtaking location in Powell River, British Columbia — the traditional territory of the Tla’amin Nation — Campanella’s singers and staff traveled by plane, bus, and two ferries, adding adventure and anticipation to their musical journey.
The word Kathaumixw (ka-thou-mew), from the Tla’amin language, means “A Gathering Together of Different Peoples.” Held every two years, this renowned international festival celebrates the unifying power of choral music, cultural exchange, and artistic excellence. In 2023, Campanella placed second in the same category, with two soloists winning 1st Place honors in their age groups.
This year’s achievement reflects the choir’s evolving artistry and strong sense of community. As older singers matured, several boys contributed resonant bass parts, enriching the ensemble’s sound with new depth and warmth. With thoughtful guidance from lifetime Artistic Director Marianna Kosaya, the group embraced more nuanced repertoire and refined ensemble skills, culminating in a confident, moving performance that stood out on the international stage.
Adding to the celebration, 16-year-old Mia Shepel won 1st Place in the International Solo Competition, representing Campanella with poise, musicality, and expressive strength.
2024
Choirs of America 2024
Nationals Top Choirs Festival in New York
Location: New York, NY
April 24-27, 2024
We are proud to announce that Campanella has been selected to participate in the prestigious Choirs of America 2024 Nationals Top Choirs festival in New York.
The primary purpose of the festival was educational, and the choir fully achieved this objective, impressing a panel of esteemed choral professors from various universities.
Among other pieces, the choir performed “Missa Brevis in D” by Benjamin Britten, “Libertango” by Astor Piazzolla, and J.S. Bach’s “Aria”. The choir received exceptional scores of 95, 94, and 93 out of 100 on their Choral Adjudication Forms. The adjudicators were highly impressed by the choir’s level of artistry and vocal techniques, particularly noting their mastery of complex classical repertoire, such as B. Britten’s “Missa Brevis”, a piece typically performed at the college level. This achievement is even more remarkable considering that the participating choirs were mostly high school choirs, and Campanella was ranked very high among them.
In addition to performances, Campanella had the privilege of receiving invaluable training from Dr. Edith A. Copley, a renowned figure in choral studies and a Regents’ Professor at Northern Arizona University. Dr. Copley, who directs the Shrine of the Ages Choir at NAU, served as the choir’s clinician during the festival.
The festival was filled with hours of mass choir rehearsals and performances at the Aaron Copland School of Music in Queens and at Carnegie Hall. On the final day of the festival, Campanella Children’s Choir joined forces with choirs from different states across America to perform in a gala concert at the renowned stage of Carnegie Hall.
2023
International Kathaumixw
2023 International XIX Kathaumixw choral festival
Location: Powell River, BC, Canada
The International Choral Kathaumixw is a 5 day choral festival filled with concerts, common song singing, choral & vocal solo competitions, conductor’s seminars and social events.
In July 2023, Campanella embarked on a musical journey to Canada, gracing the XIX International Choral Kathaumixw festival. Our voyage led us to Vancouver, and from there, we traversed by bus and ferries to Powell River, a charming town that hosts the festival biennially.
Campanella achieved remarkable success, securing second place in two competitions:
Children’s Choir (maximum age 16)
Chamber Choir (not less than 6 and not more than 16 singers)
The accolades didn't stop there—Maia Armstrong claimed the first prize in Competition 302: Vocal Solo (maximum age 21), while Olivia Khorostkivska triumphed with first place in Competition 301: Vocal Solo (maximum age 16).
Our time in British Columbia was a harmonious adventure, and we eagerly anticipate an invitation to return for the festival in the summer of 2025.
2019
Turn The World Around
National Children’s Festival Chorus at Carnegie Hall
Location: New York City, Carnegie Hall
In 2019, we were invited to National Children's Festival Chorus at Carnegie Hall. It was an honor to perform at this legendary place and be able to work with such an amazing conductor as Brian Clissold.
It was one of our most favorite memories as we did not only share our passion for music but also met other very talented singers and spent time with each other.
2018
National Children’s Festival Chorus
Location: Chicago, St. James Cathedral
Campanella was invited to one of the most prestigious festivals of the year where we sang together and met many talented singers.
2016
The National Invitational Choral, Band and Orchestra Festival Of Gold.
Campanella was invited to once again perform for nationally acclaimed adjudicators and further learn from their feedback, and as a result, continue to be inspired to new heights thanks to the opportunity
2015
The National Invitational Choral, Band and Orchestra Festival Of Gold.
Campanella was invited to perform for nationally acclaimed adjudicators, learn from their feedback, and be inspired to new heights as a result of the entire experience