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An Eric Whitacre Holiday: The Gift of the Magi (World Premiere of the Orchestrated Version)

Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, Carnegie Hall

PLEASE NOTE: Tickets are on sale now! Join DCINY and singers from around the world for an evening with one of today’s most celebrated choral composers. Eric Whitacre leads the choir through a program of his most popular holiday works, beloved Holiday favorites, and his glorious masterwork “The Gift of the Magi” (World Premiere of the orchestrated version).

Acts

Eric Whitacre, Composer/Conductor

Whitacre: The Gift of the Magi

Participating Groups

Decatur Avondale Children's Choir

Ilwaco High School Vocal Ensemble

Hartselle High School Choirs

Lauderdale Community Choir

St. Andrew Catholic Church Choir, Roswell

Anthony Wayne High School Symphonic Chorale & Close Harmony

Cedarburg High School Choir

The Piedmont Choral Society

Special Guests

Artist's Name

Eric Whitacre

Press & Marketing

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Participating Group Directors

Decatur Avondale Children's Choir

R. Mark Green
Established in 2009, the Decatur Avondale Children's Choir (DACC) is a community choir of over 120 singers ages six to eighteen performing in three ensembles. Emphasizing choral excellence and artistry, the goal of the DACC is to provide singers with enriching experiences in choral performance and engendering a lifelong love of music and music participation. The Decatur Avondale Children's Choir has performed in concerts with The Mercer University Singers, Georgia State University Opera, The DeKalb Choral Guild, The Decatur Civic Chorus, and the Atlanta Opera Worship among others. This will be DACC's third performance at Carnegie Hall with DCINY.
R. Mark Green is a choral musician with over four decades of experience directing choirs of singers from elementary age to senior adults. Known affectionately as "Mr. Mark," he is a dedicated choral conductor renowned for his warmth, artistry, and commitment to excellence in musical performances. Green is an alumnus of the University of North Georgia, holding a degree in Music Education, and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned a Master of Church Music degree. Currently, he serves at First Baptist Church of Decatur and leads the Decatur Avondale Children’s Choir, a community choir of more than 120 singers.

Ilwaco High School Vocal Ensemble

Rachel Lake
The Ilwaco High School Vocal Ensemble is a distinguished group that has earned the highest ranking solos and ensembles in our region. Renowned for their exceptional performances, they have traveled from New York City to the Pacific Northwest, showcasing their talent and dedication. Under expert direction, the ensemble continues to excel, bringing pride to their school and community with each performance.
Rachel Lake, a distinguished music educator, has dedicated over two decades to inspiring students and colleagues. From her early days as a student teacher to leading district-wide music departments, she has earned accolades such as the Southwest Washington Music Educator of the Year award. Rachel's innovative projects and leadership in the Washington Music Educators Association highlight her commitment to excellence. She enriches students' lives through transformative trips to Florida, San Antonio, Hawaii, New York, and across the Pacific Northwest. Teaching Jazz Band, Concert Band, Mariachi Band, Choir, Drama, Marching, and Pep Band, Rachel’s impact on music education is profound and enduring.

Hartselle High School Choirs

Kate M. Dupuis
The Hartselle High School Choral Department is comprised of approximately 125 singers who participate in 4 distinct choirs. Students from the HHS Choral Department are regularly selected for the Alabama All State Choral Festival, Alabama All State Show Choir Festival, various Honor Choirs throughout the Southeast, and are featured in multiple collegiate and professional programs throughout the region. The HHS Choral Department regularly receives superior ratings at State Choral Performance Assessment, and has performed at a variety of venues across the United States.
Kate M. Dupuis currently serves as the Choral Music Director at Hartselle High School in Hartselle, Alabama, where she conducts all choral ensembles and teaches AP Music Theory. Kate holds a B.M. in Music Education from the University of Southern Maine (SOM ’08) where she double majored in both voice and trumpet, and an M.M. in Music Education from Boston University (CFA ’12). She is currently pursuing her National Board Certification. HHS Choirs perform at venues in Alabama, throughout the Southeast, and beyond. Most recently, they have performed for audiences at Walt Disney World and at Truist Park for the Atlanta Braves.

Lauderdale Community Choir

James Robertson
Lauderdale Community Choir was formed in 2010 and is a thriving mixed-voice choir, based in Lauder in the Scottish Borders, attracting members from across Lauderdale and beyond. The choir sings a variety of music including pop, classical and folk, performing a main annual Concert and local community events, especially at Christmas. The choir has also performed at the Glasgow Music Festival, winning the Mixed Choirs class in 2018. This is the second time Lauderdale Community Choir has participated in the DCINY Series. Members of the choir have also performed in the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin.
James Robertson is a former music therapist and now devotes his time to choral conducting and composition. He lives in Edinburgh and it was here that he establised the first Music Therapy training program in Scotland at Queen Margaret University. James has been the Musical Director of Lauderdale Community Choir for almost ten years. He is also a singing for lung health practitioner. As a composer, his largest-scale work is 'Requiem for the Innocent', written for the Edinburgh Bach Choir. James has also had works performed by VOCES8 and Ars Nova Copenhagen.

St. Andrew Catholic Church Choir, Roswell

Scott Dixon
Under Scott Dixon’s expert direction, the St. Andrew Catholic Church Choir has flourished, becoming a beacon of musical excellence and spiritual inspiration. Comprised of dedicated members from all walks of life, the choir is known for its harmonious blend of voices, delivering performances that uplift and inspire the congregation. The choir's repertoire spans a diverse range of sacred music, from traditional hymns to contemporary worship songs, all performed with profound reverence and artistry. - Successfully directed numerous seasonal concerts and special church services, including Christmas and Easter celebrations. - Organized and led choir tours, bringing the choir's uplifting performances to other communities and churches. - Fostered a welcoming and inclusive environment, encouraging new members to join and share their musical gifts.
As the Music Director of St. Andrew Catholic Church, Scott Dixon brings a wealth of experience and passion to the role. With a deep love for both sacred and classical music, Scott has dedicated his career to nurturing the musical talents within the church community and beyond.

Anthony Wayne High School Symphonic Chorale & Close Harmony

Kayla Dye
Anthony Wayne High School is proud to present Symphonic Chorale & Close Harmony! Symphonic Chorale is an auditioned choir made up of sopranos and altos, singing a variety of three and four part choral music. Close Harmony is an auditioned SATB a cappella choir, singing a variety of pop a cappella music. These groups perform at multiple events throughout the year, achieving the highest level of performance in the community, district, and at the state level. Each student is so talented, and together they showcase their love and talent of music with each and every performance they do!
Kayla Dye is the Director for the Anthony Wayne High School Choirs, and is so excited to enter another year of music making with her amazing students! She has taught choir at Anthony Wayne for four years: Two years at the Junior High, and is entering her second year of teaching at the High School. Outside of school, Kayla is the Music Director at the Waterville United Methodist Church, and gives piano and voice lessons to multiple students. She is so thankful to experience this opportunity with her students at Carnegie Hall, and make music with amazing musicians!

Cedarburg High School Choir

Tony Mudra
The Cedarburg High School Vocal Music Department develops well-rounded musicians through an engaging and progressive curriculum. Students explore music literacy, theory, history, culture and multiple genres, growing their vocal skills and providing high-quality performances. The CHS Vocal Music department consists of five ensembles open to all levels of ability. CHS choral music students can be heard in State Honor Choir events throughout Wisconsin, annual musical productions, community performances and district and state Solo and Ensemble festivals. CHS is grateful to be singing at Carnegie Hall under the direction of Mr. Eric Whitacre and collaborating with student-musicians from across the country.
An energetic and collaborative music educator, Mr. Tony Mudra brings 20 years of experience in vocal music at the secondary and university level. He is currently the vocal music director at Cedarburg High School (Wisconsin). Previously, Mr. Mudra led the music program at the International School of Stavanger (Norway) and completed his Master of Music in Choral Conducting under the direction of Dr. Zack Durlam at UW-Milwaukee, where he also co-directed university ensembles. Mr. Mudra has been the guest conductor or accompanist for 13 regional and international honor choir events in Belgium, China, England, France, India, Luxembourg, Portugal and Wisconsin.

The Piedmont Choral Society

Joseph Judge
The Piedmont Choral Society, founded in September 1997, is the area's premier community-based mixed-voice choir. This all-volunteer, auditioned group averages 60-80 members, including talented singers from various backgrounds, many of whom hold professional roles as teachers and church musicians. The Society's mission is to provide vocalists with a challenging and managed artistic outlet, delivering high-caliber performances of sacred and secular choral masterworks while serving the community. A full-time, professional music director and pianist lead the choir. The Piedmont Choral Society aims to enhance the educational and cultural activities of the Greater Cabarrus County community of N.C.
Joseph Judge is the Musical Director and conductor of the Piedmont Choral Society in Concord, North Carolina. He previously served for 15 years as Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music at Pfeiffer University. Judge has conducted major choral works with orchestras, musical theater, and opera productions. As a soloist, he has performed across the United States and Europe. He holds a B.A. in Music Education from Pfeiffer University and an M.M. from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Judge is also the Director of Music Ministries at Central United Methodist Church in Albemarle, NC.