HISTORY OF PARTNERS IN PRAISE
Partners in Praise Choir was formed in 1994 by Mrs. Julia Fahey specifically for the Broadway production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, starring Donny Osmond. The choir consisted of twenty-three members (both boys and girls) and, after intense rehearsals and try-outs had the experience of a lifetime performing in over fifty-two shows with Donny Osmond at the Historical State Theatre in Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.
Since “Joseph”, Mrs. Fahey established Partners in Praise Girls Choir consisting of up to 50 to 60 girls from all around the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. Girls are chosen by auditioning with the Choir Director before the new season begins, during the month of August. Our season runs on a fiscal year from September 1 to August 31st. Rehearsals begin in September on Monday evenings and run through the end of May. Intense June rehearsals begin for preparation for the season’s tour.
Partners in Praise has performed for the American Choral Directors Festival (ACDA) and the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA). The Choir conducts its own yearly Choral Festival involving talented choirs from around the area. In addition, Partners in Praise performs at numerous concerts at churches, events, at the Timberwolves Games, at the State Capitol, plus many more.
Partners in Praise has been named the "Artists in Residence" at Bethlehem Lutheran Church where both choirs rehearse.
Partners in Praise has made numerous recordings and videos of tours and concerts. CD’s are available at most concerts.
The choir tours nationally or internationally each season. Past tours and highlights include:
2017/2018 - 24th Season
2018 - International Preveza Festival - Greece
2017 - Sing a Mile High Choral Festival, Denver, Colorado.
2016 - Spain Tour
February - 19, 20 - 2016 - North Central American Choral Directors Association Convention - Sioux Falls, SD
2015 - Rhapsody! International Choir Festival - Budapest, Austria, Czech Republic
2014 - Costa Rica Concert Tour and Missions Outreach
PIPFest 2014 - Partners in Praise hosted the 2014 PIPFest celebrating our 20th Anniversary Season. 11 Choirs with over 400 singers participated in this event with special Guest Conductor, Stephen Hatfield.
Also performing at this event was the Partners in Praise Alumnae Choir.
2013 - Italy Tour - Festival corale Internazionale Di Roma - Guest Conductor, Dr. Z. Randall Stroope.
2012 - Golden Gate International Choral Festival and Competition - Scored in the Gold Division in the Folk/Historical Competition, Silver in the Contemporary Division. The choir was also awarded: “Choir of Angels Award" which was given to just one choir at the Festival for global citizenship, “awarded to the choir, that through its actions during the festival, has welcomed and included others, has been artistically attentive and demonstrated leadership qualities”. Festival guest conductors were Maria Guinand and Stephen Leek.
2011 - Australia - Sydney Opera House
May 14, 2011 – PARTNERS IN PRAISE GIRLS CHOIR SPRING CHILDREN’S CHORAL FESTIVAL
Special Guest Conductor, Stephen Hatfield
2010 - Somerset International Choral Festival, England
2009 - 15th International Choral Competition and Choral Festival - PREVEZA, GREECE - Awarded second place and a silver medal in the "Youth Division" and a "Special Award" for "Outstanding Original Performance".
2008/2009 - 15th SEASON CELEBRATION - The 2008 Minnesota State ACDA Convention. St. Olaf College
2008 - Participated in the Pacific International Children’s Choral Festival (PICCFEST), Bob Chilcot, guest Conductor and Bach Festival held in Eugene, Oregon - June 2008
2007 - Tuscany International Choral Festival, Montecatini, Italy June 2007.
2006 - MMEA Mid-Winter Clinic, 4th Annual “PIP Choral Festival Series”, February 2006 - Golden Gate International Choral Festival and Competition, July 2006 - 1st Place – Historical Division, 2nd Place – Folk Division, 3rd Place – Contemporary Division - 2nd and 3rd Place – Solo competitions.
2005 - 3rd Annual “PIP Choral Festival Series”, May 2005 - Prague Children’s Music Festival - Guest Conductor, Joan Gregoryk - Prague, Czech Republic – Vienna & Salzburg, Austria – Berlin, Germany.
2004 - 2nd Annual “PIP Choral Festival Series”, February 2004 - Guest conductor, Dr. Z. Randall Stroope ISME (International Society of Music Educators) 50th Anniversary Conference, Auditorio de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
2003 - “PIP Choral Festival Series”, February 2003 - MMEA Winter Conference, Canterbury International Choral Festival, Canterbury, England – Conductors, Dr. Z. Randall Stroope and Ronald Corp - Galway Music Festival, Galway, Ireland.
2002 - Niagara Falls International Choral Festival ~ Stephen Hatfield, Conductor.
2001 - Tuscany International Music Festival, Chiesa Di San Lorenzo, Florence, Italy – Jean Ashworth Bartle, Conductor, with the West London Festival Orchestra - St. Peter’s Basilica - Rome, Italy.
2000 - ACDA Fall Conference - International Kathaumixw Choral Festival/Competition, British Columbia, Canada – Pekka Kostiainen, Conductor.
1999 - Children’s Choral Festival, Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia – Jean Ashworth Bartle, Guest Conductor.
1995 - “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, starring Donny Osmond, Broadway Production - Minneapolis Historic State Theatre.
1994 - Partners in Praise Choir founded by Ms. Julia Fahey.
PARTNERS IN PRAISE GIRLS CHOIR
Celebrating our 24th Season
3018 61st Avenue North . Minneapolis, MN 55429
