The Music of Sir Karl Jenkins: A 75th Birthday Celebration
Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, Carnegie Hall
Acts
Elliott Forrest, Radio Host
Jenkins: Stabat Mater
Featuring Distinguished Concerts Orchestra and Distinguished Concerts Singers International
Jonathan Griffith, DCINY Artistic Director and Principal Conductor
Sir Karl Jenkins, CBE, DCINY Composer-in-Residence
Jonathan Griffith, DCINY Artistic Director and Principal Conductor
Sir Karl Jenkins, CBE, DCINY Composer-in-Residence
Jonathan Griffith, DCINY Artistic Director and Principal Conductor
Jenkins: Symphonic Adiemus (US Premiere)
Featuring Distinguished Concerts Orchestra and Distinguished Concerts Singers International
Also Featuring:
Baidar Al Basri, Ethnic Music Vocalist
Sara Couden, Contralto
Participating Groups
Neuwieder Konzertchor
Brisbane Chorale
Choir of the Auersperg-Gymnasium Freudenhain
Crescendo Chor Krefeld
The Cantata Singers
Kirchenchor Cäcilia an St. Josef (Langenfeld / Rheinland)
Heidelberg Choral Society
Cascade Singers
Les Follatères
Låtar & Läten
Chorlores Cusanus
Ensemble Jean-Philippe Rameau
The Village Singers
The Broadstone Choir
Swift Current Oratorio Choir
Frome Voices
Kantorei an St Andreas
The Dutch Voice Company Choir
Kirchenmusik St. Michael Schwabmünchen
Ehrenfelder Kantorei
Special Guests
Artist's Name
Jonathan Griffith
Artist's Name
Sir Karl Jenkins, CBE
Artist's Name
Baidar Al Basri
Artist's Name
Sara Couden
Artist's Name
Elliott Forrest
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Click the image to viewParticipating Group Directors
Neuwieder Konzertchor
KMD Thomas Schmidt
Thomas Schmidt studied Protestant church music in Cologne/Germany. He graduated with honors in 1985. He then went to Berlin to study orchestra conducting and received his diploma as conductor. In Berlin, he held the positions of church musician at the Dankeskirche in Berlin-Wedding and as assistant conductor at the “Berliner Konzertchor”. Thomas Schmidt has been choir master and organist for the Marktkirche in Neuwied and of the Wied region since 1993. He leads several choirs with whom he stages gospel music concerts and the great works of choral symphonic music. In addition, he chairs a study program for Protestant church music at the University of Music and Dance in Cologne where he also teaches conducting and hymnology. In 2011 he was appointed church music director (KMD).
The Neuwieder Konzertchor is a choir of 90 members who assemble every year for a project of choral symphonic music. Its home town is Neuwied, a city located between Cologne and Frankfurt at the Rhine river. The projects up to now were: Haydn: „The Creation“, „Requiem“ by Mozart, Brahms, Fauré, Bach: „Christmas Oratory“ and „St. John Passion“, Orff: „Carmina Burana“ and many other pieces by Haendel, Rossini, Mendelssohn, Bruckner, Puccini, Rutter, Jenkins. The choir cooperates with many soloists and several orchestras, e.g. „Russian Chamber Philharmonic St. Petersburg“.
The Neuwieder Konzertchor is a choir of 90 members who assemble every year for a project of choral symphonic music. Its home town is Neuwied, a city located between Cologne and Frankfurt at the Rhine river. The projects up to now were: Haydn: „The Creation“, „Requiem“ by Mozart, Brahms, Fauré, Bach: „Christmas Oratory“ and „St. John Passion“, Orff: „Carmina Burana“ and many other pieces by Haendel, Rossini, Mendelssohn, Bruckner, Puccini, Rutter, Jenkins. The choir cooperates with many soloists and several orchestras, e.g. „Russian Chamber Philharmonic St. Petersburg“.
Brisbane Chorale
Emily Cox
Known for sensitive, authoritative musical interpretations and inspirational conducting, Emily Cox is one of Australia's leading choral musicians, exploring diverse and challenging repertoire in her varied roles as conductor and chorusmaster. Specialising in the performance of the choral/symphonic repertoire and virtuosic chamber choral repertoire, she has been Music Director of Brisbane Chorale since 2003, and is founding Music Director of Canticum Chamber Choir. American born and educated, Emily studied at the Queensland Conservatorium and in Europe with many renowned conductors, most recently with Simon Halsey in Berlin as a member of the Professional Panel of the Rundfunkchor Berlin International Masterclass.
Brisbane Chorale, a symphonic choir of over 100 voices, has been under the leadership of Emily Cox since 2003. The Chorale has a reputation for outstanding choral performance and collaborates frequently with major orchestras such as Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Camerata, Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra and Brisbane Symphony Orchestra, as well as other performance organisations. It has participated regularly in the 4MBS Festival of Classics, with recent memorable performances of Verdi’s Requiem, Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius, Rachmaninov’s The Bells, and Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast and presented a sell-out “A Choral Spectacular” in the Brisbane City Hall.
Brisbane Chorale, a symphonic choir of over 100 voices, has been under the leadership of Emily Cox since 2003. The Chorale has a reputation for outstanding choral performance and collaborates frequently with major orchestras such as Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Camerata, Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra and Brisbane Symphony Orchestra, as well as other performance organisations. It has participated regularly in the 4MBS Festival of Classics, with recent memorable performances of Verdi’s Requiem, Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius, Rachmaninov’s The Bells, and Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast and presented a sell-out “A Choral Spectacular” in the Brisbane City Hall.
Choir of the Auersperg-Gymnasium Freudenhain
Brigitte Glas
Brigitte Glas born in Passau, started her professional musical education in early years and studied violin, piano and solosoprano in Munich, Hochschule für Musik. (Studies at Prof Guntner, violin, Prof Frey (choir) and Prof Zilch (orchestra). ) After finishing studies she conducted various ensembles in Munich. Concert Management: Festival Europäische Wochen Passau with very famous solists like Anne-Sophie Mutter etc. After starting an educational career too she works at the musical Gymnasium Freudenhain in Passau as director of music. With her ensembles (choir and orchestra) she participated in various competitions and concert tours, e.g. sponsored by Audi.
Choir of the musical Gymnasium Auersperg Freudenhain in Passau with pupils aged 14 to 20 conducted by Brigitte Glas and Kurt Brunner. The ensemble took part in many competitions and its repertoire includes mainly classic works ( renaissance to modern).
Choir of the musical Gymnasium Auersperg Freudenhain in Passau with pupils aged 14 to 20 conducted by Brigitte Glas and Kurt Brunner. The ensemble took part in many competitions and its repertoire includes mainly classic works ( renaissance to modern).
The Cantata Singers
Will Wickham
Cantata Singers music director since 1996, Will Wickham has been involved in music for over 5 decades. Wickham is a composer, piano technician, and teaches music at Corning Community College in upstate New York. A graduate of the music program of SUNY Fredonia, Wickham has also worked as music director for many choral and theater organizations. In June of 2018 Will was honored to direct a fully staged version of Hugh McElyea’s “Tenebrae: The Passion of Dietrich Bonhoeffer” at Cornell University. Wickham’s own most recent composition, “Beyond Any One Life,” was premiered in April, 2018.
The Cantata Singers, of the southern Finger Lakes Region of upstate New York, have been providing three free concerts every year since their 1964 founding. Repertoire includes music from the Renaissance through last year, including many great choral standards and several commissioned works. Volunteer singers raise money through grants, dues and other fundraisers to purchase music, hire soloists and orchestral accompaniments. Highlights of 55 years include a month-long Festival of Women in the Arts, a performance of Haydn’s “The Creation” under Dr. Robert Shaw, and the upstate NY premier of Karl Jenkins’ “Cantata Memoria” in February of 2016.
The Cantata Singers, of the southern Finger Lakes Region of upstate New York, have been providing three free concerts every year since their 1964 founding. Repertoire includes music from the Renaissance through last year, including many great choral standards and several commissioned works. Volunteer singers raise money through grants, dues and other fundraisers to purchase music, hire soloists and orchestral accompaniments. Highlights of 55 years include a month-long Festival of Women in the Arts, a performance of Haydn’s “The Creation” under Dr. Robert Shaw, and the upstate NY premier of Karl Jenkins’ “Cantata Memoria” in February of 2016.
Crescendo Chor Krefeld
Heinz-Peter Kortmann
Heinz-Peter Kortmann studied church music with Norbert Richtsteig at the St. Gregorius Catholic School of Music in Aachen, where he obtained his advanced diploma in organ in 1993. He went on to study organ at Robert Schumann Conservatory with Prof. Christoph Schoener in Düsseldorf, obtained his artist diploma in 1996 and his concert diploma one year afterwards. Kortmann went on to perfect his command of French symphonic organ repertoire with Jean-Paul Imbert in Paris, and of early music with Peter van Dijk in Utrecht. 1994-2011 Heinz-Peter Kortmann has served as Church Music Director for the parish of St. Josef und Maria-Waldrast in Krefeld. He also assures the artistic direction of that church's concert series, where he has conducted the Crescendo Chor in a great number of sacred works such as Beethoven's Mass in C Major, Haydn's , Beethoven's , Bach's Christmas Oratorio, Brahms‘ Ein Deutsches Requiem and Mendelssohn's Lobgesang. 2011-2016 he was the Church Music Director in St. Christophorus in Krefeld. Since 2016 he works in St. Cyriakus in Krefeld-Hüls. In 1998 Heinz-Peter Kortmann won the audience prize and the third prize at Nijmegen International Organ Competition. Apart from giving private lessons in organ and piano, he also teaches at the Church Music School of the Bishopric of Essen. Kortmann has received wide acclaim for several flute and organ recordings he has made with his wife Barbara, as well as for his organ arrangement of Saint-Saëns's Carnival of the Animals published by Butz Verlag. In 2006 Strube published Kortmann's arrangement of three Mozart church sonatas for flute and organ. That same year, Butz published his flute and organ album containing works by Fauré and Widor's Suite. Performing as solo organist and as chamber musician (harpsichord and piano), Kortmann has made appearances in many European countries (France, the UK, Poland, Norway, Italy, and the Benelux countries)
Crescendo Chor Krefeld is a choir of more than 60 singers, which was founded in 1999 by his director Heinz-Peter Kortmann. Since 2011 the choir is part of „Verband Deutscher Konzertchöre“. With his director Heinz-Peter Kortmann the Crescendo Choir performed a lot of sacred works sucessfully: Johann Sebastian Bach: Weihnachtsoratorium (BWV 248),Johannes-Passion, (BWV 245), Markus-Passion, BWV 247, Magnificat, (BWV 243) Georg Friedrich Händel: The Messiah (HWV 56), Ode for St. Caecilia's Day (HWV 76), Dettinger Te Deum (HWV 283 Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Lobgesang (MWV A 18),Sinfonie Nr. 2, op. 52 Johannes Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem, op. 45 John Rutter: Magnificat & Carols Joseph Haydn: Die Schöpfung, Hob. XXI:2 Carl Philipp E. Bach: Magnificat, Wq 215 Karl Jenkins: The Armed Man – A Mass For Peace Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Requiem in d-Moll, KV 626
Crescendo Chor Krefeld is a choir of more than 60 singers, which was founded in 1999 by his director Heinz-Peter Kortmann. Since 2011 the choir is part of „Verband Deutscher Konzertchöre“. With his director Heinz-Peter Kortmann the Crescendo Choir performed a lot of sacred works sucessfully: Johann Sebastian Bach: Weihnachtsoratorium (BWV 248),Johannes-Passion, (BWV 245), Markus-Passion, BWV 247, Magnificat, (BWV 243) Georg Friedrich Händel: The Messiah (HWV 56), Ode for St. Caecilia's Day (HWV 76), Dettinger Te Deum (HWV 283 Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Lobgesang (MWV A 18),Sinfonie Nr. 2, op. 52 Johannes Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem, op. 45 John Rutter: Magnificat & Carols Joseph Haydn: Die Schöpfung, Hob. XXI:2 Carl Philipp E. Bach: Magnificat, Wq 215 Karl Jenkins: The Armed Man – A Mass For Peace Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Requiem in d-Moll, KV 626
Kirchenchor Cäcilia an St. Josef (Langenfeld / Rheinland)
Matthias Krella
Matthias Krella studied Catholic church music at the Robert Schumann University in Düsseldorf and graduated with A-Exam. Since 1994 he is Choir director and Organist in Langenfeld at the parish of St. Josef; since 1999 pastoral church musician for the city of Langenfeld. In church music, his focus is on working as an organist in the direction of the church and children's choir and youth choir. In Langenfeld, for example, he has introduced chamber music, choral and instrumental concerts as well as his own series of musicals and children's concerts. Since 2002 CD recordings with children's concerts in the series "Klassik für Kinder" at topsound-Verlag with Cosima Breidenstein, violin and Matthias Krella, piano. Foundation of the choral ensemble "Take 8" and "ad libitum", rehearsal of choral works of all style epochs. Matthias Krella has participated in organ master classes with Peter Planyawsky, Michael Radulescu, Daniel Roth and Thierry Mechler, as well as choral conducting master classes with Prof. Ericson, Prof. Wippermann, Prof. Schuhenn and Prof. Schäfer. His concerts lead him today as a pianist and organist, soloist or ensemble through Germany, France, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Ibiza, Hungary and Lebanon.
Our choir was founded in 1886. Currently the choir is consisting of 45 singers (male and female). Every 1,5 to 2 years, we are performing a concert. In 2016, the Stabat Mater by Karl Jenkins was performed, in April 2011, the "Requiem" by Karl Jenkins. In between smaller concerts and performances take place and about 20 times per year we are performing during a holy mass. Our repertoire is very wide spread. So we are perfoming classics like Mozart, Bach, Telemann, Gounod or Haydn as well as pieces by contemporary composers, Gospel or pieces like "Jazzmesse"“ by Jan Szopinski or "„Missa polyphonica"“ by Laszlo Halmos.
Our choir was founded in 1886. Currently the choir is consisting of 45 singers (male and female). Every 1,5 to 2 years, we are performing a concert. In 2016, the Stabat Mater by Karl Jenkins was performed, in April 2011, the "Requiem" by Karl Jenkins. In between smaller concerts and performances take place and about 20 times per year we are performing during a holy mass. Our repertoire is very wide spread. So we are perfoming classics like Mozart, Bach, Telemann, Gounod or Haydn as well as pieces by contemporary composers, Gospel or pieces like "Jazzmesse"“ by Jan Szopinski or "„Missa polyphonica"“ by Laszlo Halmos.
Heidelberg Choral Society
Peter Bandy
Peter Bandy has a reputation as a conductor of considerable experience with successful performances in such diverse genres as Choral, Orchestral, Opera and Ballet Music. Alongside his performing talents are years spent learning his craft as Music Director, Music Arranger, Chorus Master and Orchestra Manager. He has been the Music Director of the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet since 1995 and the Heidelberg Choral Society since 2011.
The Heidelberg Choral Society Inc (HCS) is a community choir presenting high-quality choral works which engage an enthusiastic membership and which attract large audiences eager to share in the pleasure of this type of music. Formed in 1920, it has been singing continuously in the city of Heidelberg, and now Banyule, for almost a century. The society regularly presents three concerts a year with a choir of 80-100 singers drawn from across Melbourne, and typically with up to four soloists and an orchestra on 20-40. Audiences are drawn from both the Heidelberg/Ivanhoe community, and from across Melbourne.
The Heidelberg Choral Society Inc (HCS) is a community choir presenting high-quality choral works which engage an enthusiastic membership and which attract large audiences eager to share in the pleasure of this type of music. Formed in 1920, it has been singing continuously in the city of Heidelberg, and now Banyule, for almost a century. The society regularly presents three concerts a year with a choir of 80-100 singers drawn from across Melbourne, and typically with up to four soloists and an orchestra on 20-40. Audiences are drawn from both the Heidelberg/Ivanhoe community, and from across Melbourne.
Cascade Singers
Lloyd Walworth
Lloyd Walworth holds a B.A. from Western Washington University in Bellingham and a M.S. from Portland State University. He is well known in the Pacific Northwest as a choral clinician and vocal adjudicator. He retired after teaching for 40 years in The Dalles and has directed Cascade Singers for 42 years. Lloyd passed away on December 7, 2018 after a several month battle with brain cancer. He will be greatly missed, but the music goes on.
Cascade Singers of The Dalles, Oregon, was organized in 1976. Members are auditioned singers from the Mid-Columbia area of northern Oregon. They prepare a classical work each fall and spring concerts for St. Patrick's Day and early June featuring lighter works. The group has toured Germany and Austria, Italy and Switzerland, Scandinavia, Belgium and The Netherlands, and the British Isles.
At Walworth’s request Cascade Singers was led through the fall and in its Christmas concerts by Miles Thoming-Gale, who teaches elementary school music in The Dalles. Thoming-Gale will continue as the choir’s regular director.”
Cascade Singers of The Dalles, Oregon, was organized in 1976. Members are auditioned singers from the Mid-Columbia area of northern Oregon. They prepare a classical work each fall and spring concerts for St. Patrick's Day and early June featuring lighter works. The group has toured Germany and Austria, Italy and Switzerland, Scandinavia, Belgium and The Netherlands, and the British Isles.
At Walworth’s request Cascade Singers was led through the fall and in its Christmas concerts by Miles Thoming-Gale, who teaches elementary school music in The Dalles. Thoming-Gale will continue as the choir’s regular director.”
Les Follatères
Thierry Epiney
Thierry Epiney, aged 32, graduated from the Music universities of Geneva and Zurich. Following his second master, he specialized in the composition of music for movies, theater and advertising. Appreciating eclecticism, his musical palette ranges from orchestral to electronic music. However, his specialty remains hybrid music. To date, he has composed for more than sixty different occasions. Thierry conducts several choirs, including a children's and a youth choir since thirteen years. He has been at the head of Les Follatères since eight years. He has also regularly been commissioned to prepare choirs for important events.
Founded 1945, our ensemble of 40 amateur singers is named after “Les Follateres”, a stunning nature reserve and a fabulous setting on the Rhone river, 30 miles upstream from the Lake of Geneva. The aim of the choir is to discover and celebrate the choral tradition of the whole world, for the pleasure of singing as well as to entertain and enlighten our community’s life. The group often takes part in choral festivals and strives for the best performance of the presented works. Our repertoire encompasses a diverse range of musical styles, secular and sacred, from classics to more entertaining, lighter songs, sung in a variety of languages, both a cappella and accompanied selections. Recently, it has been enriched with compositions of our conductor Thierry Epiney. Significant events in the history of the choir include our participation to the Montreux International choral Festival and performances on Swiss Radio Television programmes.
Founded 1945, our ensemble of 40 amateur singers is named after “Les Follateres”, a stunning nature reserve and a fabulous setting on the Rhone river, 30 miles upstream from the Lake of Geneva. The aim of the choir is to discover and celebrate the choral tradition of the whole world, for the pleasure of singing as well as to entertain and enlighten our community’s life. The group often takes part in choral festivals and strives for the best performance of the presented works. Our repertoire encompasses a diverse range of musical styles, secular and sacred, from classics to more entertaining, lighter songs, sung in a variety of languages, both a cappella and accompanied selections. Recently, it has been enriched with compositions of our conductor Thierry Epiney. Significant events in the history of the choir include our participation to the Montreux International choral Festival and performances on Swiss Radio Television programmes.
Chorlores Cusanus
Harald Bleimehl
Harald Bleimehl studied music at the University of Music in Saarbrücken. Afterwards he completed a study of conducting with a focus on choral conducting at the Robert Schumann University in Düsseldorf. He worked as a church musician, teacher and conductor. Since 2009 he has been an instructor at the University of Music in Saarbrücken. Since the school year 2013 Harald Bleimehl has been working at the Cusanus Gymnasium in St. Wendel as a teacher of music and politics, where he founded the choir "Chorlores", which has performed Jenkins' "Adiemus Corlores" and Orff's “Carmina Burana”.
Chorlores Cusanus was founded in 2015. The choir has performed "Adiemus Colores" by Karl Jenkins and Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana". The choir participated in the live performance project "The Fall Sola" of the "Liquid Penguin Ensemble" in the Saarland State Theatre Saarbrücken.
Chorlores Cusanus was founded in 2015. The choir has performed "Adiemus Colores" by Karl Jenkins and Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana". The choir participated in the live performance project "The Fall Sola" of the "Liquid Penguin Ensemble" in the Saarland State Theatre Saarbrücken.
Låtar & Läten
Karin Osterman
Karin Osterman began her musical education in high school at Statens Normalskola Östermalms Gymnasium in Stockholm, Sweden. She studied at the Operastudio 67 in Stockholm, and also, with a focus on scenic performance and romance interpretation, for Dorothy Irving and Court Singer, Solveig Grippe. She worked closely with the pianist Carl-Otto Erasmie on romance and opera repertoire for many years. Karin is passionate about making cultural activities accessible to the general public and especially to younger generations. She studied at the University College of Music Education in Stockholm (SMI) and holds a Bachelor of Music Education. In addition to working as a teacher in music and drama, Karin also holds a private studio. Since 2014, Karin Osterman has been the conductor of the choir Låtar & Läten. As a conductor, Karin puts an emphasis to the progress of each singer in order to develop a common tone and expression for the choir.
Låtar & Läten is a Swedish choir with around 30 singers. It has its residence in the small municipal Knivsta, where it was established in 1980. The repertoire has varied over the years and spans over multiple genres of profane as well as sacred music. Under the leadership of the current conductor Karin Osterman, the choir has been oriented towards the music of classical Nordic composers such as Wilhelm Peterson-Berger and Hugo Alfvén, in addition to younger composers as Anders Öhrwall. In 2014 Låtar & Läten performed Sacred Songs by Sir Karl Jenkins.
Låtar & Läten is a Swedish choir with around 30 singers. It has its residence in the small municipal Knivsta, where it was established in 1980. The repertoire has varied over the years and spans over multiple genres of profane as well as sacred music. Under the leadership of the current conductor Karin Osterman, the choir has been oriented towards the music of classical Nordic composers such as Wilhelm Peterson-Berger and Hugo Alfvén, in addition to younger composers as Anders Öhrwall. In 2014 Låtar & Läten performed Sacred Songs by Sir Karl Jenkins.
Ensemble Jean-Philippe Rameau
Malgorzata Digaud-Baluszynska
Dr. Digaud-Baluszynska graduated from the Krakow Academy of Music in Poland, where she studied music theory, choral and orchestral conducting, and music education. Her productions and innovations in choral singing have on multiple occasions won first prize from Poland’s Ministry of National Education. She has taught music education at the Institute of Education Science in Krakow, choir and chamber orchestra conducting at the Krakow Academy of Music, and choral conducting and education at the University of Strasbourg. She now directs several choirs in Switzerland and France, including the Ensemble Jean-Philippe Rameau, and teaches music at Genolier High School in Switzerland.
Ensemble Jean-Philippe Rameau, founded in 2011 by Malgorzata and Eric Digaud, performs a range of classical works with a focus on French music. Based in Gex, France, it is named after the great baroque composer, musical theorist and philosopher. The choir’s repertoire ranges from Gregorian chants to contemporary music: Allegri’s Misere, Delalande’s De profundis, excerpts from operas by Rameau and Lully, pieces by Mielczewski, Capillas and Purcell, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Rossini’s Little Solemn Mass, Mozart’s Te Deum, Karl Jenkins’ Requiem, The Bards of Wales and the Stabat Mater, le Messiah of Haendel, Elias by Mendelssohn…. This ensemble of some 65 Swiss and French singers performs regularly in France and Switzerland but also abroad. Together with some 200 international singers, the Ensemble Jean-Philppe Rameau performed twice in Carnegie Hall in New York to sing the Music of Karl Jenkins and the Messiah of Haendel. In 2015, it was invited in China to sing the 9th Symphony of Beethoven. The choir also performed in St Petersburg in Russia, in Sicily and Verona – Italy, in Hungary at the Budapest’s Liszt Academy, and more recently in Salzburg -Austria. In October 2019, the choir will present Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana in Montreux and Geneva (CH) as well as in Divonne-les-Bains (FR). The conductor will be Jonathan Griffith who is regularly conducting in Carnegie Hall, New York, and will be accompanied by the l’Orchestre de Chambre de Genève
Ensemble Jean-Philippe Rameau, founded in 2011 by Malgorzata and Eric Digaud, performs a range of classical works with a focus on French music. Based in Gex, France, it is named after the great baroque composer, musical theorist and philosopher. The choir’s repertoire ranges from Gregorian chants to contemporary music: Allegri’s Misere, Delalande’s De profundis, excerpts from operas by Rameau and Lully, pieces by Mielczewski, Capillas and Purcell, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Rossini’s Little Solemn Mass, Mozart’s Te Deum, Karl Jenkins’ Requiem, The Bards of Wales and the Stabat Mater, le Messiah of Haendel, Elias by Mendelssohn…. This ensemble of some 65 Swiss and French singers performs regularly in France and Switzerland but also abroad. Together with some 200 international singers, the Ensemble Jean-Philppe Rameau performed twice in Carnegie Hall in New York to sing the Music of Karl Jenkins and the Messiah of Haendel. In 2015, it was invited in China to sing the 9th Symphony of Beethoven. The choir also performed in St Petersburg in Russia, in Sicily and Verona – Italy, in Hungary at the Budapest’s Liszt Academy, and more recently in Salzburg -Austria. In October 2019, the choir will present Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana in Montreux and Geneva (CH) as well as in Divonne-les-Bains (FR). The conductor will be Jonathan Griffith who is regularly conducting in Carnegie Hall, New York, and will be accompanied by the l’Orchestre de Chambre de Genève
The Village Singers
Rachel McCorry
Playing various woodwind and string instruments throughout her childhood and with a broad range of vocal and choral experience, Rachel is a qualified classical singing teacher and a firm believer in making music accessible for all. When she was approached to start The Village Singers in 2011 it was no surprise that she jumped at the chance. Supported by Paul Wendell, AMD, together they have put music at the heart of North Wiltshire's community for everyone to enjoy.
The Village Singers is a community choir with members of all experiences and ages coming from the villages and towns around Chippenham, North Wiltshire. Audition free, we enjoy a solid reputation for quality musical performance. Highly sociable, the choir’s success is underpinned by its culture of combining fun with learning. We recently celebrated our seventh birthday. What a fantastic journey it has been, from our 2011 roots in a Sutton Benger pub; via The Menin Gate and Ypres Cathedral (Brussels) 2014 where we performed Sir Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man. In 2017 we performed Faure’s Requiem in Paris.
The Village Singers is a community choir with members of all experiences and ages coming from the villages and towns around Chippenham, North Wiltshire. Audition free, we enjoy a solid reputation for quality musical performance. Highly sociable, the choir’s success is underpinned by its culture of combining fun with learning. We recently celebrated our seventh birthday. What a fantastic journey it has been, from our 2011 roots in a Sutton Benger pub; via The Menin Gate and Ypres Cathedral (Brussels) 2014 where we performed Sir Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man. In 2017 we performed Faure’s Requiem in Paris.
Swift Current Oratorio Choir
Marcia McLean & Greg McLean
Marcia McLean is the choral director of the Swift Current Oratorio Choir and the Prairie Spirit Chamber Choir. Under Marcia’s direction, the Prairie Spirit Chamber Choir consistently wins provincial choral awards. Recently retired from 31 years of choral directing in the public school system, she has directed youth choirs, children’s choirs, and vocal jazz ensembles. Mrs. McLean is active as an adjudicator, clinician and vocal teacher. In 2004, she was awarded the Pro Musica Award by the Saskatchewan Choral Federation for outstanding service in the choral community. She received her Bachelor of Music from Brandon University. Greg McLean is the instrumental director of the Swift Current Oratorio Choir. Mr. Mclean is the Artistic Director and lead trumpet for the Swift Current Jazz Orchestra, an ensemble he formed in January of 2015. Greg retired after 35 years as a high school music director of which 21 of those years were spent at the Swift Current Comprehensive High School. He is frequently invited to adjudicate at festivals across Canada, to guest conduct, and to present workshops. In 2006 he was the recipient of the “Outstanding Achievement Award” presented by the Saskatchewan Music Educators Association. He received a Bachelor of Music (Brandon University), a Graduate Diploma in conducting and repertoire (University of Calgary) and Master of Music in conducting (University of Manitoba). His brass pedagogy included studies with Dr. D.S .Reinhardt (Philadelphia) and Vince Cichowicz (Chicago Symphony), and his most recent conducting coaches were Dr. Dale Lonis (University of Manitoba) and Earl Stafford (Royal Winnipeg Ballet).
Swift Current Oratorio Choir is a community based choir of approximately 75 members . The choir is based in Swift Current but draws it choir members from surrounding communities, some members travelling 75 miles or more to attend the weekly rehearsals. Recently celebrating 45 years of singing and presenting major choral works the choir performs two concerts each year, a Christmas concert and the spring production of a major choral work at which we are joined by the Regina Symphony Orchestra.
Swift Current Oratorio Choir is a community based choir of approximately 75 members . The choir is based in Swift Current but draws it choir members from surrounding communities, some members travelling 75 miles or more to attend the weekly rehearsals. Recently celebrating 45 years of singing and presenting major choral works the choir performs two concerts each year, a Christmas concert and the spring production of a major choral work at which we are joined by the Regina Symphony Orchestra.
The Broadstone Choir
David Fawcett
David Fawcett is a classical composer and professional musician living and working in Dorset, UK. He became the Musical Director of The Broadstone Choir in 2017, having spent 26 years as Musical Director of The Festival Chorus in South West London. An Associate of the Royal College of Organists, he is Director of Music at two churches in Dorset. He writes sacred and secular Choral music for a range of types of choir, from small to experienced chamber choirs and large choral societies.
The Broadstone Choir is based in Broadstone, in the county of Dorset in the south of England situated very close to the World Heritage site - the Jurassic Coast. The choir consists of some 60 singers and performs four concerts a year in local venues. 3 times over recent years, the choir has performed in venues in Normandy, Northern France. The works performed are mainly sacred and have included, inter alia, Schubert’s Mass in G, Mozart’s Requiem, Rutter’s Requiem, Haydn’s Nelson Mass, Dvorak’s Mass in D, Karl Jenkins’ ‘The Armed Man’, Stainer’s Crucifixion, Fauré’s Requiem etc as well as many other shorter and lighter works.
The Broadstone Choir is based in Broadstone, in the county of Dorset in the south of England situated very close to the World Heritage site - the Jurassic Coast. The choir consists of some 60 singers and performs four concerts a year in local venues. 3 times over recent years, the choir has performed in venues in Normandy, Northern France. The works performed are mainly sacred and have included, inter alia, Schubert’s Mass in G, Mozart’s Requiem, Rutter’s Requiem, Haydn’s Nelson Mass, Dvorak’s Mass in D, Karl Jenkins’ ‘The Armed Man’, Stainer’s Crucifixion, Fauré’s Requiem etc as well as many other shorter and lighter works.
Frome Voices
Alan Burgess
Alan‘s musical grounding was at school and in the local choral society in Barry, South Wales, before five years studying at Edinburgh University in Scotland. Singing in university chamber choirs and in the choir of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral under two inspiring directors, Herrick Bunney and Dennis Townhill, fired his enthusiasm. His professional career, teaching in a dozen schools in the UK, culminated in fourteen years of headship. After the perfect break as a volunteer for the Orangutan Foundation UK in the rainforests of Borneo (twice) he is now in demand as a choral director, accompanist and piano teacher.
Frome Voices (Somerset, UK) was founded in 2012 initially to provide the local community with a one off performance of Handel's 'Messiah' as a charitable fund raising event. The Voices' annual concert is now a musical high point of the town's calendar, drawing on singers from a wide radius and rehearsing intensively from January to March. Other high points have included performances of Karl Jenkins' 'The Armed Man', Carol Orff's Carmina Burana' and Handel's 'Saul' all with professional soloists and orchestra. The Voices have over 300 singers on their books and regularly stage approaching 200 performers in a concert.
Frome Voices (Somerset, UK) was founded in 2012 initially to provide the local community with a one off performance of Handel's 'Messiah' as a charitable fund raising event. The Voices' annual concert is now a musical high point of the town's calendar, drawing on singers from a wide radius and rehearsing intensively from January to March. Other high points have included performances of Karl Jenkins' 'The Armed Man', Carol Orff's Carmina Burana' and Handel's 'Saul' all with professional soloists and orchestra. The Voices have over 300 singers on their books and regularly stage approaching 200 performers in a concert.
Kantorei an St Andreas
Andreas Pasemann
Born in Wolfsburg Andreas Pasemann took his first organ lessons from Brunswick’s Cathedral Choirmaster, Helmut Kruse. From 1984 to 1990 he studied church music at the Hanover University of Music and Drama under Professor Ulrich Bremsteller and under Professor Michael Leuschner for piano. After winning a scholarship from Lower Saxony’s savings bank he was able to continue his studies under Professors Daniel Roth and Gaston Litaize in Paris, qualifying his A- Diploma in 1990. Since then he has been organist at Brunswick’s cathedral and is deputy head of the cathedral’s choir school. Since 1996 Pasemann has been cantor at Seesen (Harz), where he has led a very wide range of choirs and instrumental groups. He tours regularly throughout Germany and all over Europe. Alongside his academic work, Pasemann is a much sought after organist and accompanist for recordings, TV drama and film music. In addition to the organ and the piano he plays the Celtic harp.
The Kantorei an St. Andreas is a choir of 55 members and performs various forms of classical and modern church music. The choir performs regularly at services and concerts in the St Andreas-Church in Seesen, which is he birthplace of the famous Steinway familiy. The choir performs a-cappella pieces as well as symphonic music with famous artists and orchesters. In the last 20 years it performed most of the central classical works of church music. Moreover, the choir collaborates with other choirs for shared performances.
The Kantorei an St. Andreas is a choir of 55 members and performs various forms of classical and modern church music. The choir performs regularly at services and concerts in the St Andreas-Church in Seesen, which is he birthplace of the famous Steinway familiy. The choir performs a-cappella pieces as well as symphonic music with famous artists and orchesters. In the last 20 years it performed most of the central classical works of church music. Moreover, the choir collaborates with other choirs for shared performances.
The Dutch Voice Company Choir
Robert Bakker
Robert Bakker (1957) studied Recorder, Piano and Music-Education at the Amsterdam Conservatory in The Netherlands. He also trained for choir- and orchestra direction. Since 1980 he weekly directs several choirs among which his own “Voice Company”, which is sheer entertainment, according to The Dutch Voice Company Choir.
The Dutch Voice Company Choir is an easy-accessible choir that works on a project-base that mostly durates no longer than ten weeks. The projects close with several concerts. During its eightteen-years-existence, performances have been given of (a.o.) Matthew Passion (Bach) The Armed Man, Stabat Mater, The Peacemakers (Jenkins) Misa Criolla (Ramirez) [also in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam] Jesus Christ Superstar (Lloyd Webber) Abba, Beatles and Queen In 2014 the choir performed for the first time successfully in the world famous Carnegie Hall, followed in 2016 in Lincoln Center.
Kirchenmusik St. Michael Schwabmünchen
Stefan U. Wagner
Stefan U. Wagner has finished a degree (B diploma) in church music at the Musikhochschule (music-university) Augsburg, which included organ studies (with Professor Karl Maureen), harpsichord and conducting. In 2000/01 he did a Master's degree in Church Music at the School of Music at the UEA in Great Britain and studied organ with Anne Page in Cambridge. Already during his time being a student he was conductor of two choirs in Augsburg. Recent concerts in Bavaria on the EXPO 2000 in Hannover, in Norwich and in Cambridge, as well as excursions to Spanish and French organs were important for the development of his professional performance skills. During his time (at the UEA) in Norwich he was organist in the parishes of Coltishall, Great Hautbois and Horstead. In 2001 he became organist and director of music in Schwabmünchen in Bavaria. He is director of several choirs and an orchestra. And he is organist of the renowned Eule-Organ in Schwabmünchen. In 2004 he finished the highest degree (A-diploma) in church music.
Music plays an important role within the parish; both in the acts of enhancing church worship and as a platform for community outreach. St Michael‘s church particularly boasts a rich heritage of choral music that has been at the heart of parish life over many centuries. These traditions remain today with music being one of the main strands of creative output from the parish. The Kirchenmusik "St. Michael Schwabmünchen" offers a wide variety of music. Beginning with three children choirs, an outstanding youth choir up to the traditional church choir. The traditions of German choral music have been firmly rooted in the history St Michael‘s Church over a long time. This tradition is still very much alive today with the Masses for choir and orchestra playing an essential role in the spiritual life of the parish. Together with the orchestra „Capella St. Michael“, the church choir performs Masses from Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, Rheinberger, Nicolai, Weber as well as works from Jenkins, Leavitt, Basler, Tambling and many others. Together with the „Choir Project“, Church Choir, members of the „Youth Choir“, and in association with other choirs the „Kirchenmusik St. Michael“ performs large scaled works. Professional Soloists and the orchestra play an important role. Works performed include the Messiah (Handel), „Stern von Bethlehem“ and „Christoforus“ (Rheinberger), „Stabat mater“ (Jenkins and Rossini), „Requiem“ (Mozart), „St Cecilia Mass“ (Gounod).
Ehrenfelder Kantorei
Joachim Diessner
Joachim Diessner took piano and organ lessons from the age of 10 on. After school he studied theology and singing (Early Music/Countertenor). He took part in diverse staged opera productions, radio programmes or CD recordings. Since 2000 he works as church musician in Cologne Ehrenfeld. Since 2010 he also is director of Ehrenfelder Kantorei. With this choir he performed music by Bach (cantatas, Christmas Oratorio), Karl Jenkins (Stabat Mater, Gloria, Stella Natalis) and many others.
The Ehrenfelder Kantorei is a choir based at Protestant Parish of Cologne-Ehrenfeld and was founded in 1964. Formerly the choir has been existing under the name 'evangelischer Kirchenchor Ehrenfeld'. After the choir has seen many conductors, in 2010 Joachim Diessner overtook the direction. Since that time the choir has performed a lot of major choir compositions.
