Limburg Oratorio Choir The Limburg Oratorium Choir is a newly established choir in the province of Limburg (NL). The choir has existed since January 2018 and has realized several major productions in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Productions of, for example, the Carmina Burana by Orff, the Stabat Mater, the Requiem & The Peacemakers by Karl Jenkins in 2019, 2020 and 2022. The choir works per project to a major concert at a top location in Limburg. The Limburg production house has existed since 2018 and organizes national and international concerts. The production house's choir consists of more than 200 singers who work on oratorio repertoire, concert series and film music.

Steven van Kempen studied classical piano and classical organ from 2004 at the conservatory of Maastricht, Tilburg and Utrecht. He studied with leading teachers for piano and organ and took master classes with, among others, Luca Scandali (Italy) for Organ. A concert practice of organ and piano concertos followed during his studies at the conservatories. The organ study also concluded with a recital on several organs from different time periods. Steven also studied conducting with Joop Schets, Ludo Claesen and Jan Stulen. He completed several studies in June 2010 with, among others, the Maastricht Conservatory Choir. He then attended master classes with Jos van Veldhoven, Joop Schets, Sigiswald Kuijken and Edmond Saveniers, among others.

The Chapel Choir of Methodist College, Belfast has established a strong reputation nationally through frequent radio and television broadcasts, success in major choral competitions in Ireland and the UK, and through regular residencies at Westminster Abbey. It is an award-winning choir, but it also fulfils an important role in the spiritual life of the College community. The choir regularly performs large-scale choral works including UK and world premières. In 2023, seven sopranos from the choir were selected to sing at the Coronation of King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, viewed by an estimated 400 million people worldwide.

Lynda has been a music teacher at Methodist College Belfast for twenty-three years and has recently taken up the post of Director of Music. She directs the College’s Chapel Choir, Girls’ Choir and Senior Choir, having previously directed the Junior Choir, which won the BBC Radio 3 Children’s Choir of the Year. Under her direction the Girls’ Choir were also the UK Youth Choir of the Year and the RTE All-Island Choir of the Year. Outside school, Lynda is much in demand as a soprano soloist and sings with various professional vocal ensembles including the Ulster Consort directed by Matthew Owens.

The Berkeley Community Chorus, founded in September 2012, is a mixed ensemble of adult singers serving Berkeley County and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Open to singers 18 years of age and older, the chorus holds auditions in October and March and rehearses two hours per week for ten weeks. Concerts are performed on the second Saturday of December and the third Saturday of May. Repertoire includes sacred and secular genres from classical art song to folk and pop arrangements, from the Great American Songbook to small masterworks with orchestra. The BCC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a partner with the Berkeley Arts Council.

Dr. Jeffrey Poland is Professor Emeritus of Music and former Director of Choral Activities at Fairmont State University in Fairmont, WV, where he taught for twenty-two years. Poland holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin-Wallace University, a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from The Ohio State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. For two seasons, he was the assistant conductor of the May Festival Chorus, the resident choir of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. After retiring to Martinsburg WV in 2010, he became the founder and music director of the Berkeley Community Chorus.

A Company of Voices (ACoV) is a chamber choir of professional and hobbyist singers based in Humboldt County on the beautiful Redwood Coast of Northern California. Since 2013, the group has performed full length concerts of diverse choral music twice annually and in numerous other settings such as festivals, sporting events and worship services. Highlights of our group's history include singing back-up for the Chieftains in 2016 and from atop an elevated platform in the Redwood Sky Walk at the Sequoia Park Zoo in 2023. (Eureka, CA) ACoV is a DreamMaker project of The Ink People nonprofit organization.

A native of Greensboro, NC, Elisabeth Harrington began her professional musical life performing in operas and musicals and playing flute in a local band. She began conducting later in life after completing her DMA in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy (CU-Boulder). Elisabeth has taught voice lessons, directed the Opera Workshop ensemble and conducted musicals at Cal Poly Humboldt since 20026. Stacy Young graduated with a BA in Music Education and taught music and drama in public schools from 1999-2012. She now works for the Humboldt County Office of Education as the Director of Community Outreach and Engagement and oversees a multi-million dollar Arts In Education Grant that uses Arts Integration as the underpinning of Social-Emotional Learning.

Coro de la Comunidad Guatemalteca is a non-profit entity that currently exists now under the legal representation of the Asociacion Cultural Tres Americas, which continues a long tradition of performing outstanding sacred music since 2004, especially G. F. Haendel's MESSIAH Oratorio at the beginning of the Christmas season every year for almost two decades. A part of our choir has been a part of the DICNY's "MESSIAH Refreshed" Concerts in two different opportunities, both at the Lincoln Center and the Carnegie Hall.

Chorusmaster, pianist, organist and Music Director; Professor of Music at the Superior School of Art of University San Carlos de Guatemala. Accompanist pianist for opera singers and Bel Canto, both local and international artists, as well as guest organist at major local churches, and harpsichordist in chamber orchestras and Baroque ensembles. Pianist of the Global Missions Project Celebration Orchestra and Metro Big Band, traveling to many countries on concert tours. Choir Director of several International Festivals of Culture, for over two decades, Mtro.Morales serves at “Querido Arte”, a Guatemalan opera company as their Chorusmaster since 2016. Orchestra conductor for Ars Tempo opera production such as La Traviata. Also, Music Director of Messiah Concerts since 2014, formerly pianist for 9 years

Voix Des Rocheuses (“Voice of the Rockies”), established in 1978, is based in Calgary, Canada. It is Calgary's only francophone and francophile community choir. It promotes primarily francophone choral music with a wide spectrum of styles and rhythms to bring the French musical entertainment experience to life for Calgary audiences in a friendly, accessible and relaxed atmosphere. We are proud to contribute to the arts and culture across the city through various performances. For further information please visit us on social media (Facebook, Instagram and YouTube) and our website: https://www.voixdesrocheuses.com/

Humberto Vargas holds a bachelor’s degree in bassoon from the National School of Music at UNAM in Mexico City. After playing in various orchestras in Mexico, his passion for conducting brought him to the University of Montreal, Canada where he obtained a Master's degree in symphony conducting under the tutelage of Maestro Jean-François Rivest and Maestro Paolo Bellomia. Based in Calgary since 2013, he is the musical director of various orchestras and choirs including: The First Alliance Church Orchestra, The Yodel Club Heimattreu Choir, Voix Des Rocheuses, The Master's singers Choir and Prairie College Community Choir.

The Choral Artists of Carmel is an ensemble of 16 singers and small orchestra performing a wide range of repertoire from the 16th century to present. The director includes the living composer at concerts when possible. Her concert November 3, 2024 included Paul Ayers, Kenneth Leighton, John Tavener, Carson Cooman, Elaine Hagenberg, Dr. Frederick B. Mabalot, Christopher Pratorius Gomez. This past November the Choral Artists of Carmel premiered Dr. Mabalot’s “The Soul and the Prayer” for SATB and solo violin with Patrick Lord-Remmert, baritone soloist from NYC. The text of “The Soul and the Prayer” is composed by Robin McKee Williams.

Robin McKee Williams, MA, CMVT, is a musical director, mezzo-soprano soloist and voice specialist. Her training includes the Royal Conservatory of Music, Stanford University, San Jose State University and the McClosky Institute of Voice. Robin attended Distinguished Concerts International New York conducting mentoring workshops regularly from 2012-2020. Her Choral Artists of Carmel, primarily a professional choir, conducts concerts including Brahms, Stravinsky, Bach, Debussy, Vaughan Williams, Dan Forrest, Eric Whitaker, Paul Mealor, Carson Cooman and Thomas LaVoy. Composers Will Todd, Thomas LaVoy and Dr. Frederick B. Mabalot have set music to Robin McKee Williams' poetry recently.

The Itzehoer Konzertchor is a mixed choir with around 70 singers. Founded in 1922 the choir celebrated it’s100th Birthday in 2022 with Orff’s Carmina Burana. The repertoire includes the whole symphonic choir literature like Bach’s Christmas Oratory, Mozart‘s, Brahms‘ and Verdi‘s Requiem, Mass in F-Minor by Bruckner and of course the works of Sir Karl Jenkins. Regularly the choir is on Tour for concerts in Poland.

Wolf Tobias Mueller studied orchestra and choir conducting in Hamburg, Germany. He leads several choirs and orchestras and is lecturer for choir conducting in Hamburg. As Landeschorleiter he is responsible for the musical alignment of the choir association in northern Germany. In the past he was assistent conductor of Simone Young, working with professional orchestras in Berlin, Dresden, Frankfurt and Manchester. Regularly he conducts large projects, bringing together big choirs and orchestras to perform works like Verdis Requiem or Mahlers 2nd Symphony.

Swinging Notes was founded on September 11, 2001 in the town of Schwaikheim, Baden Württemberg, Germany. We sing mainly modern rock and pop songs and give one or a few concerts at home every year. We also like to travel to choir festivals abroad to the Czech Republic, Italy, and other countries. In 2020 we were already in New York at DCINY and look forward to seeing you again.

Nikolai Singer born on 05.05.1962 in Soviet Union “Kazakhstan”. Music college in the subjects choirmaster, conductor and music teacher. Emigrated to Germany in 1992. Since 1994 works as a freelance music teacher and choir conductor. Since 2001 also works as conductor and choirmaster with “Swinging Notes” We travel a lot in Europe and were also in New York at the DCINY in 2020. We have sung Karl Jenkins THE ARMED MAN

The Prairie College Ensemble, part of the community choir in Three Hills, Alberta, features songwriting students Zach Thiessen, Talitha Toews, and Danae Kong, along with piano instructor Rebekah Brisbin and voice instructor Talita Louzada, who also provides vocal coaching. The ensemble performs a diverse repertoire as part of the choir, which showcased Gloria by Karl Jenkins in 2022. They are now excited to participate in the upcoming concert honoring Mr. Jenkins, embracing the opportunity to celebrate his music once again.

Talita Louzada specializes in voice habilitation, focusing on assessment, care, and training. She has coached numerous recording artists for studio and live performances. As a versatile singer and instructor, she offers individualized training in contemporary music styles such as CCM, jazz, pop, rock, and musical theater. Originally from Brazil, she has a passion for Brazilian and Latin American music. Talita holds a BA in Speech Pathology and a postgraduate degree in Integrative Voice Training & Vocal Coaching. She also teaches at Prairie College, conducts masterclasses, and helps singers achieve their full vocal potential.

Since its founding in 1999, the Stiftskantorei of the Evangelical Johannesstift has been a vibrant part of the musical landscape in Berlin-Spandau. With over 60 dedicated singers, it presents a diverse repertoire that spans from classical to contemporary sacred music. Notable highlights of their performances include: Carmina Burana (Orff, 2009) The Armed Man (Jenkins, 2013) Missa di Gloria (Puccini, 2014) Ein deutsches Requiem (Brahms, 2016) Through its performances, the choir enriches both worship services and concerts, offering the community a deeper spiritual experience. The Youth Choir provides young singers with a creative space to develop their voices and strengthen their identities within the community. Founded in 1858 by Johann Hinrich Wichern, the Evangelical Johannesstift embodies Christian values through social work. Today, it operates as a multifaceted diaconal institution, encompassing care facilities, schools, and vocational training programs. Its expansive grounds host numerous recreational activities and events that foster a sense of community.

Nadine Julia Klusacsek studied piano, flute and classical singing at the Berlin University of Arts (UdK) and the Hanns Eisler Academy of Music (HfM). After a long period of freelance work with concerts in Germany and abroad, she completed a further degree in church music in Halle a.d. Salle in conducting and organ. She has been working as a church musician since 2020 and has been Stiftskantorin at the Evangelisches Johannesstift since 2023. In the last two years, the Christmas Oratorio by Camile Saint-Saens, the Christmas Oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach and The Peacemakers by Karl Jenkins were performed.

The GCOS ensemble comprises 10 members of the society which is approximately 70 strong. Our choral society was formed over 75 years ago and some of our singers have been members for over 35 years. We comprise some of our older members and also one of our youngest who has come through our student bursary scheme. This is the second time that GCOS members have performed at Carnegie, the previous time was for the premier of The Peacemakers in 2012. We are delighted to be able to perform another of Sir Karl Jenkins amazing works.

The New York City Bar Chorus, composed entirely of legal professionals, has since 1993 served as a goodwill ambassador of the NYC Bar Association, bringing the healing power of music via hundreds of concerts for seniors, the visually impaired, people living with cancer and AIDS, those in substance abuse rehabilitation, and more. The chorus has also appeared off-Broadway, on local and national television, in exchanges with other legal choruses, at American Bar Association conventions, and at its sponsor’s landmark Manhattan headquarters. The chorus made its Carnegie Hall debut at the 2019 National Fall Sing — Remembering 9/11 Commemoration.

Kathryn E. Schneider began leading choirs in her early teens and formally trained in choral conducting at Westminster Choir College and Teachers College, Columbia University.  She studied organ principally with Dr. George Stauffer and, while earning her law degree at Columbia, served as Assistant University Organist, performing frequently on the historic Aeolian-Skinner organ at St. Paul's Chapel. She studies voice privately with acclaimed soprano Harolyn Blackwell. Kathy has been honored to conduct at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in recent years, including at Mostly Mozart’s 50th anniversary mass-choral event and annually at the National Chorale’s “Handel’s Messiah Sing-In.”

Chor Capriccio, Bad Kreuznach (Germany) is a mixed chorus, singing classical and modern music. It is a wonderful experience to be part of this concert with music from Karl Jenkins and conducted by Jonathan Griffith in Carnegie Hall. For the third time we are a part of New York. Conductor is Birgit Ensminger-Busse.