A music professor and local pioneer in the area of choral music has been appointed conductor emeritus of the Windsor Classic Chorale, which will host its third annual choral festival this weekend.

Richard Householder, who joined the university in 1973 and is currently a professor emeritus, was named to the position as the Windsor Classic Chorale wraps up its 36th season.

“Professor Householder founded the Classic Chorale and has also been a longtime singing member with the choir,” said artistic director Joel Tranquilla. “His outstanding contribution to choral music in the Windsor-Essex area is unparalleled and we honour his lifetime commitment to the arts.”

This weekend’s festival includes a number of activities, including a performance by mezzo-soprano oratorio and opera soloist Jennifer Enns Modolo, who will also work with Kiwanis Music Festival students in the Music Building’s recital hall at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Members of the public are welcome.

Saturday’s main performance will feature Modolo performing Aaron Copland’s In the Beginning and Montreal-based composer Ben Duinker’s Materia ex Nihilo for marimba and choir.

The show will also include a performance of Matins, a piece commissioned by the chorale in 1998 from Ontario composer John Burge with lyrics by English literature professor emeritus Eugene McNamara.

The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. on May 24 at Mackenzie Hall. Members of the public are welcome. Tickets are $20 for the general public and $10 for students. For more information, call Ridpath at 519-816-3206.