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A. McNeil
J. Kinchen
A. Combs
R. Kusk
L. Stone
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Sunday, March 21, 2010
2:00 PM
AVERY FISHER HALL, LINCOLN CENTER
From Sea to Shining Sea, Music and Artists from the Atlantic to the Pacific
Albert J. McNeil, Guest Conductor
A Medley of African-American Choral Music: Traditional and Contemporary
James Kinchen, Guest Conductor
Burleigh: Nguzo Saba Suite (Selections)
Featuring special solo appearances by the Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers, Albert J. McNeil, Director, and The Blackhawk Chorus, Diane Gilfether, Director
Pikes Peak Wind Symphony
Richard Kusk, Director
Music of Holst, Anderson and Giroux
Coronado High School Wind Ensemble
Alan Combs, Director
Music of Sheldon, Ticheli, Saint-Saens and Giroux
Westminster Christian School String Orchestra
Lee Stone, Director
Music of Vivaldi, Meyer and Bebe
Featuring Distinguished Concert Singers International
Participating in Nguzo
Saba Suite: Carthage College Lincoln Chamber Singers (WI), Choral Arts
Society of Southeastern Wisconsin (WI), Olympia's Daughters (NJ),
University of Wisconsin (WI)
read what people said
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Ensemble bios |
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Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers (CA)
The Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers of Los Angeles has dedicated itself to the tradition of the performance of Spirituals as exemplified by the first Jubilee Singers, the Fisk University Jubilee Singers (1869-71) of Nashville, Tennessee. The little group of seven women and four men, recently freed young slaves, who gave an 1870 performance before Queen Victoria at the court of St. James, did not know then that their performance would announce to the world a music unique to the United States, the Negro Spiritual, an a cappella, four-part hymn-like work. The simple text and genuine sincerity of performance touched Her Royal Majesty, who had recently lost her beloved husband, Prince Albert.
The Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers, founded in 1968, has performed in the major halls of Europe, South America, the Orient (Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong), the Middle East (Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Cyprus) and in over 77 countries and 45 states, including the United Arab Emirates, Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Kabul, Baharain, and Teharan.
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The Blackhawk Chorus (CA)
The Blackhawk Chorus has been delighting audiences in the San Francisco Bay Area with its imaginative and varied programs of classical, popular, and jazz choral genres. Numbering 140 men and women, this community chorus, located in Danville, California, was founded in 1991 by Diane Gilfether, and has performed to sold-out and appreciative audiences in Austria, the Czech Republic, Italy, and Great Britain. The Chorus is joined by Randall Benway, a much sought-after accompanist and coach for pianists, singers and instrumentalists, whose credits include world-wide praise for his concerts and competitions.
A critically acclaimed lyric coloratura soprano, Diane Gilfether has performed extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe as a leading lady in opera, recitals, concert appearances, radio and television. Her operatic work includes the title roles in "Lucia di Lammermoor," "La Traviata," "The Tales of Hoffman," "Cosi fan tutte," "Die Fledermaus," "La Belle Helene," and others. She has the distinction of being named a California Arts Council Touring Artist four years in succession, an honor given to only two classical singers in California at the time. Frequently invited to teach/conduct master classes in voice, Ms. Gilfether holds Bachelors and Masters degrees from Holy Names University.
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Coronado High School Wind Ensemble (CO)
Making their first appearance at Lincoln Center is the Coronado High
School Wind Ensemble from Colorado Springs, Colorado, under the
direction of Alan Combs. This ensemble has won numerous 1st Place
trophies at the Heritage Music Festival in Anaheim, California and the
Cavalcade of Music in Colorado Springs. They were also selected to
perform at this year's annual convention for the Colorado Music
Educators Association, but chose instead to travel to New York for the
honor of performing at Avery Fisher Hall. The group is comprised of
students in grades 9 through 12.
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Olympia's Daughters (NJ)
Olympia's Daughters is an exciting a cappella ensemble that challenges attitudes, fosters healing, builds bridges between communities and cultures, and promotes the joyful appreciation of music. Our members perform moving, involving, and entertaining music for many cultures and ages, ranging from the early Renaissance to today. Olympia's Daughters currently performs under the baton and direction of September Daniels.
Performance highlights:
- International Women Day Conference: United Nations Chapel, New York, NY (2009 & 2002)
- Appeared on bill with Indigo Girls of Drew University V-Day, Madison NJ, 2002
- Opened for Janis Ian, Montclair, NJ 2002
- UU General Assembly, opening ceremonies, 1998, 2000, 2003
September Vance Daniels is a native of High Point, NC, and was educated in the public schools of Guilford County. September received an undergraduate degree from Winston-Salem State University (NC) in Music Education and Music Business and a graduate degree in Music Education from Teachers College Columbia University (NY). September currently conducts Olympia's Daughters and teaches in the Elizabeth Public Schools (NJ). She is the Director of Choirs for Lafayette School #6 and teaches General/Vocal Music for grades 5th through 8th. She holds membership in several organizations including MENC: The National Association for Music Education and the American Choral Directors Association.
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Pikes Peak Wind Symphony (CO)
The Pikes Peak Wind Symphony, part of the Colorado Springs Youth
Symphony Association, was established in 2002 to serve advanced wind
symphony musicians among young people in the region. The group has been
on performance tours to Carnegie Hall (2005), Costa Rica (2004) and
Japan (2007).
Musicians in the Youth Symphony Association are
provided technical instruction, performance opportunities, intensive
camp, global touring, collaborative performances with other arts
organizations and leadership training. The Association, celebrating its
30th anniversary this year, engages in diverse musical experiences
which enrich young musicians and the culture of our community. Visit
our website at www.csysa.com.
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Westminster Christian School String Orchestra (FL)
Westminster Strings is comprised of students from eighth through twelfth grade who are each members of one of the six orchestras at Westminster Christian School in Miami, Florida. These students are always seeking opportunities to perform and share their music with others. They began a volunteer group called Heartstrings that performs weekly in a local hospital in Miami for patients, families, staff, and doctors. In the past, they have had wonderful opportunities to perform in Carnegie Hall, Vienna and Salzburg, Austria, and in Prague, Czech Republic. Westminster's orchestras regularly receive superior ratings at district and state performance assessments.
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What People Said... |
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Alan Combs, Director
Coronado High School Wind Ensemble
I wanted to thank you for putting together such a fantastic performing experience for our students. Everyone in your organization is professional, courteous, and helpful, and a pleasure to work with. You and the other staff members at DCINY made us feel right at home. It became obvious that you truly have your customers' best interest at heart, and I would be glad to convey that message to anyone considering a New York trip. The rehearsal and concert experience ran flawlessly thanks to your oversight and organization.
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Richard Kusk, Director
Pikes Peak Wind Symphony
Our experience playing in Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center was fabulous! The students were overwhelmed not only by the tremendous acoustics, but also the great history of the halls. Thanks again for this tremendous opportunity and giving these students a memory of a lifetime!
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Carmen Pinto, President
Olympia's Daughters
On behalf of Olympia's Daughters, thank you very much for the
opportunity to participate in From Sea to Shining Sea at Lincoln
Center's Avery Fisher Hall.
We are impressed by how smoothly the logistics were
handled for the rehearsals and the performance. It was a great pleasure
to meet performers from around the country, and to work with Dr.
Kinchen and Dr. McNeil. We enjoyed performing and hearing the other
groups perform, and we had a good time celebrating and relaxing at the
reception afterward.
It was a positive and worthwhile experience for all
of us, and we appreciate all the effort that DCINY put into making it
happen.
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