NIU’s School of Music Chamber Choir was the only U.S. group selected to perform as part of an international festival in Poland over the weekend, delivering a performance that earned a standing ovation from the crowd.

Eric Johnson, director of choral activities, said the choir performed “extremely well.”

“After the choir’s first performance, 10- and 11-year-olds asked for autographs,” he said.

The choir and 13 other college groups performed at the Universitas Cantat, which was the fifth annual installment of a five-day international choral festival. It was held April 17 to 21 at the Adam Mickiewicz University Hall in Poznan, Poland.

“The performance was broadcast on the local radio and TV stations and the singers were interviewed,” Johnson said. “It was very exciting.”

NIU’s choir sent an audition tape and a list of its accomplishments to be considered for the festival, Johnson said. It performed three times, with the first performance being with the student choir from Wawrzyczek University of Olsztyn, Poland, Johnson said.

“The second performance was a 20-minute set of American music,” he said. “The third performance was with all the choirs combined and was one hour long.”

Other performing choirs came from England, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Russia, Slovakia and Ukraine.

The festival’s goal is “to present the musical culture of different countries, to inspire through cultural variety and encourage to exchange experiences,” according to the Universitas Cantat Web site.

NIU’s choir performed the same songs it performed Tuesday night during a concert at the Music Building’s Boutell Memorial Concert Hall.

Seventeen singers currently are members of NIU’s choir, the majority of which are music majors, Johnson said.

“They would go through an audition with me where they would perform a choral score they were given to learn,” he said. “They would also do sight reading.”

Members of the choir rehearse for two hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Johnson said. He’s trying to keep the number of members between 17 and 19.

“They get credit for being in the choir,” he said.

Students interested in becoming a member should call Johnson at the beginning of the semester, when auditions are held, at 753-7984.