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T. Seelig
S. Roddy
J. Martin
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Sunday, June 6, 2010
8:30 PM
STERN AUDITORIUM/PERELMAN STAGE, CARNEGIE HALL
Sing for the Cure - A Concert for Healing & Hope
Timothy Seelig, Conductor Laureate
Sing for the Cure
Rene Syler, Narrator
Stephen Roddy, Guest Conductor
Joseph Martin: Heartsongs (World Premiere)
Based on the words of Mattie J.T. Stepanek
With special guests Jennifer Smith Stepanek, Billy Gilman, and Nile Rodgers
Featuring Distinguished Concerts Orchestra International and Distinguished Concert Singers International
Participating in Sing for the Cure: A Chorus for a Cause (OH),
Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota (FL), Heritage Presbyterian Church
Chancel Choir (GA), Resounding Harmony (TX)
Participating in Heartsongs: Bel Canto Choir (TX),
Houston Children's Chorus (TX), The Mississippi Girlchoir (MS), St.
Andrew United Methodist Children's Choir (TX), St. Paul Singers (TN)
read what people said
From USA Today
"Mattie Stepanek's inspiring 'Heartsong' poetry series debuts at Carnegie Hall"
10 percent of the ticket price will benefit the Greater New York City
Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, with a guaranteed minimum
donation of $5,000.
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About the concert |
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Chorus music is hot, and has never been more exciting. An inspirational benefit concert for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, "Sing for the Cure" is a thrilling musical journey through a tapestry of voices and emotions, conducted by the acclaimed Timothy Seelig. "An expressive performer" - NY Times
Also performed that night: the World Premiere of composer Joseph Martin's "Heartsongs", based on the inspirational works of American child-poet Mattie Stepanek. The concept of placing the young poet's words into a choral setting, has been transformed by the composer into "A gorgeous musical experience that truly captures Mattie's universally inspirational and life-affirming message" (Jonathan Griffith, DCINY).
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Ensemble bios |
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C. Allison
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A Chorus for a Cause (OH)
A Chorus for a Cause is a group of men and women from all over Northeast Ohio, directed by Christine D. Allison, who have joined forces to make a difference through song. In our inaugural season, our first project on September 20, 2009, raised over $12,000 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. We had over 100 singers and over 1,200 in attendance. To keep with our director's dream, our intention is to continue reaching out to the community as we make beautiful music together, and with each concert we will donate to a designated "cause". We are A Chorus for a Cause!
Christine Allison graduated from Mount Union College with a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance and a Bachelor of Music Education degree. Since her college days she has been directing community and church choirs for 35 years, including taking some on concert tours to Europe and throughout the United States. She is passionate about singing...beginning children's choirs at her latest church job of 28 years, where she directed close to 100 people every week (vocal and bells) and teaches private voice lessons. Christine's formal education continued at The University of Akron, as well as yearly master classes and workshops over the last 20 years.
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D. Greene
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Bel Canto Choir (TX)
Bel Canto, an auditioned choir for 4th- 8th graders at First
Presbyterian, Houston, focuses on the rudiments of "beautiful singing"
under the direction of The Reverend Dr. Diana L. Greene. The idea of
having just another singing group was not appealing, but the idea of
having a singing group that could be called on to sing for anyone from
"street people" to "Presidents" with a strong missional purpose was
appealing to our Children's Music Ministry. This group represents First
Presbyterian Church wherever they go and whether they sing secular or
sacred music, they carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Reverend Doctor Diana L. Greene
holds a Masters of Divinity with Languages and Doctor of Ministry in
Church Music from Southeastem Baptist Theological Seminary with a
concentration in Organ and Conducting. She has done post graduate
studies at Emory, North Texas State, Duke University and Regents Park
College Oxford, England. Dr. Greene received Orff Certification from
East Carolina University under Alexis A. Zolcer and Kodaly
Certification from North Texas State under Jill Trinka. She studied and
performed with the celebrated Robert Shaw and is a featured conductor
on his Preparing a Master Piece (Missa Solemnis), a series produced by
Camegie Hall Productions.
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P. Alexander
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Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota (FL)
DIVERSITY: The Voices of Sarasota started out as the "Gulf Coast Men's Chorus" and made its debut performance on December 14, 1997 as the guest of the Tampa Bay Gay Men's Chorus. In 2005, after years of performing and spreading their message of acceptance, the group recognized a need to reach out to the women in the community, and with the approval of their fans, created a new chorus known as "Harmony: The Women's Voices of Sarasota". In the summer of 2008, the organization combined the two choruses to become one voice for their community known as DIVERSITY: THE VOICES OF SARASOTA.
Philip Alexander holds a BA from the College of New Rochelle, has studied applied voice at Washburn University in Kansas, music education at Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma and is currently pursuing his Masters in Conducting at the University of South Florida in Tampa. In 2004 he accepted the position of Artistic Director for DIVERSITY: The Voices of Sarasota (formerly the Gulf Coast Men's Chorus) after holding the position of assistant director and small ensemble director. Mr. Alexander has actively performed as a vocalist and actor in radio, television, and stage across the United States as well as in Paris, Sydney, Amsterdam, the Far East, and other venues.
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S. Estep
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Heritage Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir (GA)
Heritage has a proud tradition of having an active music program throughout the years. Anchored by the Chancel Choir, it has grown, not only in size, but also active participation in the community. There is no program too small for the Chancel Choir, as we love getting together to sing great music. From nursing home performances to multi-church choral festivals, we've enjoyed them all. Tonight's performance caps off another year of whirlwind musical events for Heritage. From our Christmas performance of the masterful work "Let Heaven and Nature Sing Gloria" conducted by composer Mark Hayes to last year's début at Carnegie Hall for the Shawnee Press 70th Anniversary Gala. We are grateful for the opportunity to sing here tonight and dedicate our performance to those members who have passed on, but helped shape who we are today.
Scott Estep joined the church staff as music director in the fall of 1998, and his family, while living in Atlanta, has made Heritage their church home since 1990. Originally from Massillon, Ohio, Scott's interest in the music ministry was greatly influenced by his father, Roy, who was the Director of Music at Trinity United Methodist Church. At Ohio University he studied voice and performed with the University Singers select choral group. Scott's first entrée in the music ministry came at Parkview Presbyterian Church in Columbus, Ohio, where he led a youth wind ensemble. Since then he has directed youth choirs at Pilgrimage Presbyterian Church in Norcross, Georgia and at Heritage before becoming Director of Music.
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A. Johnson
K. Brumfield
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The Mississippi Girlchoir (MS)
The Mississippi Girlchoir was founded in 1995 by Director Emeritus, Lillian Lee, with a mission of developing a dedicated and diverse community of young women committed to upholding quality and artistry in music education. It is a member-supported, tuition-based, nonprofit organization, and scholarships are available based on need without regard to race, creed, or national origin. Beginning with just 17 singers in 1995, membership has grown to singers in four choirs: Prima, Jubilate, Lyrica, and Bel Canto, and draws from a six-county area representing forty-two public, private, and homeschools.
Anna Walden Johnson has an undergraduate degree and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from Mississippi College. While there she had wide experience in the Opera Theater, Chamber Choir, College Singers, and College Chorale. She won first place in the regional National Association of Teachers of Singing NATS Contest for graduate women. She was guest soloist for Jackson' Junior Miss and sang in Carnegie Hall. She has been teaching private voice lessons since 2002 and is currently employed as a Junior High music teacher at St. Andrew's Episcopal School.
Kristy Brumfield, a native of Clinton, Mississippi, has an undergraduate degree and a Masters Degree in Choral Conducting from Mississippi College. She formerly taught at Hillcrest Christian School where she was named Teacher of the Year in 2005. She also taught for a year at Pearl Junior High School. Kristy is in her second year as conductor of Prima, the beginning choir of the Mississippi Girlchoir. Kristy has held offices in Mississippi Music Educators Association and the Mississippi Orff Chapter and was chosen as a Mississippi delegate to the Southern Division Music Educators National Conference Symposium on Leadership in 2002. She is a member of ACDA, MENC, MMEA, and OAKE.
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B. Potter
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St. Andrew United Methodist Children's Choir (TX)
The St. Andrew UMC Children's Choirs are comprised of kindergarten through fifth grade singers. These singers are divided into three choirs that rehearse once a week. For the Carnegie Hall concert, we are proud to bring our fourth and fifth grade children. This group leads in worship and actively sings in the community. They have performed as a featured choir with Resounding Harmony under the direction of Tim Seelig and have participated in Chorister's Guild festivals for many years.
Brenda Potter is currently in her eighth year as Director of Children's Choirs at St. Andrew UMC in Plano, Texas. In that time she has founded and directs a highly popular summer music camp, Summer Music Adventure for Kids, or SMAK. Her choirs have performed at Chorister's Guild festivals, have been a featured choir with Resounding Harmony under the direction of Tim Seelig and provide music for worship and community events. Brenda is also a trained and active song leader with Global Praise, a branch of the General Board of Global Ministries for the United Methodist Church.
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D. Purdy
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St. Paul Singers (TN)
The St. Paul Christian Academy Singers includes students currently in the fifth and sixth grades. Each student auditions before a panel of music educators before being accepted into this choir. Rehearsals are held twice weekly. St. Paul Singers perform two major programs each year along with singing in the Nashville community for various programs including Veteran's Day, singing the National anthem for basketball and baseball games, and other scheduled events throughout the school year. This group sings a wide variety of repertoire including classic children's literature, Broadway tunes, spirituals, multi-cultural arrangements, and other material chosen for stretching these young musicians to develop their own sense of musicianship.
Dora Ann Purdy serves as Director of Music at St. Paul Christian Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. At St. Paul she teaches general music to third through sixth graders and directs two auditioned choirs, a Fourth Grade Chorus and the St. Paul Singers. Mrs. Purdy earned a BME from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and a MME from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. She has taught music in public schools, accompanied Nashville Children's Choir, and serves as children's choir director and pianist at her church in Nashville. Prior to moving to the academic setting, Mrs. Purdy was preschool and children's music editor-in-chief and recording producer for a large denominational publishing house in Nashville.
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What People Said... |
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Timothy Seelig
Conductor Laureate
Please forgive me for allowing 5 whole days to pass without a note of deepest gratitude for all you did this past weekend to make the entire event simply perfect.
I have heard rave review after rave review from the singers -- from all over the country. The entire experience was amazing -- most of that thanks to you all and the consummate professionalism and apparent ease with which you do your jobs. It puts everyone at ease knowing you are going to take care of their every need while in NYC.
It is, without a doubt, the best experience I have ever had performing outside my own "comfort zone." Aside from the administrative perfection, the orchestra was simply beyond belief. I have told many, many people that I believe it is the finest, most responsive group I have ever had the privilege of conducting.
Thank you for a phenomenal weekend.
I look forward to being with you all again next June 6 and the one after that and the one after that -- until they assign me my walker.
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Dara P. Richardson-Heron, MD
Chief Executive Officer
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Greater New York City Affiliate
I am writing to express my heartfelt appreciation to all of you for including the Greater NYC Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure in such a spectacular evening! The Sing for the Cure production was flawless and the singing and narration were just outstanding! Kudos to all of you!
I
always knew the evening would be wonderful but I didn't anticipate how impactful it would be to me both personally and professionally! While every selection was beautiful, "One Voice" truly captured my heart and provided me with strong affirmation that despite the challenges we face daily, the work we are doing individually and collectively to make a difference in the lives of others is so vitally important.
Many thanks to each of you for your creative spirits and for using your beautiful voices and talents to make a difference in the lives of so many, including me!
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Joseph Martin
Composer
It is hard to put into words the joy and hope that echoed through Carnegie Hall during the "Heartsongs/Sing for the Cure" concert. To hear young voices sharing in song Mattie Stepanek's message of peace was one of the most rewarding moments of my life. To experience the journey that is "Sing for the Cure" is nothing short of life-changing. This gathering of caring musicians was more than a concert... it was a celebration of life!
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Resounding Harmony member
After the last six months preparing for Carnegie Hall, I couldn't go back to being the person I was, even if I tried. It sounds so cliched to say that it was life changing, but it really was. In the past year my father battled cancer and kicked its ass! But it wasn't until he stood in Carnegie Hall during One Voice that I realized how terrified I had been of losing him and how much it meant to me to have him there on that special night. I know that EVERY time I sing with Resounding Harmony I am making a contribution that alone I couldn't make. I am so grateful to be a part of such an amazing group of givers.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of it.
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From the Greater Houston Weekly:
Houston Children's Chorus Readies for Carnegie Hall Performance
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