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E. Whitacre
H. Plitmann
D. Kirsche
D. Kreeger
D. Tatar
S. Ford
M. Wallace
R. Nieto
F. Xu
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Tuesday, June 15, 2010
8:00 PM
STERN AUDITORIUM/PERELMAN STAGE, CARNEGIE HALL
Eric Whitacre's Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings (concert version - New York Premiere)
Eric Whitacre, Guest Conductor
Creative Team: Eric Whitacre, David Norona, and Greg Chun
Exstasis:
Hila Plitmann, Grammy Award-winning Soprano
Logos: Damon Kirsche
Ignis: Doug Kreeger
Fervio: Daniel Tatar
Pieta: Sara Jean Ford
Aia: Marie Wallace
Gravitas: Rodolfo Nieto
Greg Chun, DJ, Narrator, Assistant Music Director
On Ensemble, Taiko
Fang Fang Xu, Cello
Casting: Mark Simon
Featuring Distinguished Concert Singers International:
The A Cappella Choir of Middlesex County College (NJ), Antiphony (Canada), Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Choir (MD), Crystal River High School Chorus (FL), Enchiriadis (Ireland), Freedom High School Choirs (VA), Ithaca College Men's Chorus (NY), Mansfield University Concert Choir (PA), Masterworks Chorale of San Mateo (CA), Riverview High School Chamber Choir (FL), Summit Ensemble (CO), Unionville High School Chorale (PA)
read what people said
From the New York Times
"A Juggernaut Rolls Into Carnegie, Chorus in Tow"
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About the concert |
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"Works of unearthly beauty and imagination... electric, chilling harmonies." - Los Angeles Times
A groundbreaking dramatic choral performance created and conducted by star composer Eric Whitacre. Stars Grammy-winning soprano Hila Plitmann, Fang Fang Xu on cello, a DJ, seven vocal soloists, Japanese "taiko" drums, and a radically diverse chorus of 400 singers assembled by DCINY from all over the world, from small-town teenage phenoms to international singing stars.
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Ensemble bios |
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Antiphony (Canada)
Antiphony was founded in 2008 as a self-directed group of ten singers. Motivated by their shared passion for choral music and their desire to communicate that enthusiasm with audiences across Winnipeg, Antiphony performs from a diverse and exciting range of musical styles and genres. Marge Koop, artistic director of Up Front Productions, says, "Antiphony is a refreshing new vocal ensemble in the city. They have a clean sound and beautiful blend. The singers are expressive and play off each other to great effect. It is obvious that they love what they do. This group is not to be missed."
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K. Weary
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Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Choir (MD)
The Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Choir is comprised of students from seven high schools in Washington County. Students must successfully audition to be admitted into the school. The Mission of the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts is to provide students with a rigorous, comprehensive, college preparatory curriculum rooted in intense, pre-professional training in the arts that encourages excellence and success in their personal development as students, artists, and cultural leaders. The Vision of the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts is to provide a world class academic and arts education as the first arts magnet high school in Washington County and Western Maryland.
Kyle J. Weary is the Vocal Music Department Lead Teacher for the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts in Hagerstown, MD. Kyle has a Bachelor of Music Education (vocal emphasis) and Master of Music in Conducting from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music. Kyle has appeared on stage with Marvin Hamlisch, Julie Andrews, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Dana Reeves, and Barbara Cook. Kyle is a Certified Somatic Voicework - The LoVetri Method - Level III graduate of the CCM Musical Theatre Vocal Pedagogy Institute. Music and stage direction credits include: Beauty & the Beast, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and A Night of Broadway - a Musical Revue, Willy Wonka Jr., The Last Five Years and Thoroughly Modern Millie.
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Crystal River High School Chorus (FL)
The Crystal River High School Chorus has enjoyed many years of success
under the direction of Mr. Jason Longtin. The program consists of a
Concert Choir, Women's Choir, 2 Show Choirs, and a music theatre
ensemble, which performs full length Broadway shows. Concert and Show
Choirs from CRHS have consistently enjoyed Superior Ratings at both the
District and State levels. In 2004, the CRHS Chorus performed at
Carnegie Hall under the direction of Dr. Duncan Couch. They are excited
to be returning in 2010 to work with Eric Whitacre.
Jason Longtin
is an accomplished teacher, singer, and conductor. He graduated with a
Bachelor of Music Education, cum laude from Stetson University in
DeLand, FL in 1999. He studied composition with Dr. Kari Juusela and
Choral Conducting with Dr. Duncan Couch. His compositions have been
performed throughout the United States, Mexico, and Europe. Choirs
under his direction have performed in Italy, Switzerland, and
throughout the United States.
He is currently Director of
Choral Activities at Crystal River High School, in Crystal River, FL.
He is certified by the National Board of Professional Teaching
Standards in Music Early Adolescence/Young Adulthood.
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C. Clinch
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Enchiriadis (Ireland)
Enchiriadis is a versatile youth choir based in Malahide, Co. Dublin,
Ireland. The name Enchiriadis comes from the Greek, meaning "of many
parts" and Musica Enchiriadis is the earliest tract extant on
part-music. Enchiriadis was founded in 1985 by Dr Marion Doherty
Hayden. Members range from 18 to 38.
Since
its formation, Enchiriadis has won many prizes in Irish choral
festivals, and has toured extensively in Spain, Italy, Germany,
England, the Isle of Man and Ireland. Highlights for the choir include
competing in the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in 2007, and
performing in St Martin in The Fields, London.
Enchiriadis has been under the direction of award winning conductor Cathal Clinch
since 2001. Cathal was recently awarded a Masters in Conducting and
directs many other choirs both liturgical and non liturgical, An
accomplished choral singer himself, Cathal has sung and recorded with
internationally renowned Irish choir, Anuna, as well as being a member
of Enchiriadis in its early days.
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P. Dettwiler
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Mansfield University Concert Choir (PA)
The Mansfield University Concert Choir is the elite touring ensemble from Mansfield University, located in the endless mountains of northern Pennsylvania. The group has achieved an impressive reputation of excellence, having been chosen each of the last 18 years to perform at conventions or festivals around the world: the Pennsylvania Music Educators State Conference; the Eastern Division Music Educators National Conference; the Music Educators National Convention; the National Collegiate Choral Convention, the American Choral Directors Association Pennsylvania State Conference, and the ACDA Eastern Division Convention.
Peggy Dettwiler is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Mansfield University, where she conducts the Concert Choir, Festival Chorus, and Mansfieldians and teaches choral conducting and methods. She holds the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York; a Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Texas at San Antonio; and a Master of Music Degree in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Prior to coming to Mansfield, she was Director of Choral Activities at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas, and Choral Director at Mt. Horeb High School in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin. She has served as a guest conductor and lecturer throughout the United States and has given presentations at numerous MENC and ACDA Conventions.
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B. Baker
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Masterworks Chorale of San Mateo (CA)
Masterworks Chorale is recognized as one of Northern California's
finest choral ensembles. Founded in 1964 by Artistic Director Emeritus
Galen Marshall, the Chorale performs masterworks of sacred and secular
choral literature from the Baroque period to today. Now in his eighth
concert season as Artistic Director and Conductor, Dr. Bryan Baker
directs Masterworks in performances of four concert sets annually with
instrumental ensembles comprised of the Bay Area's leading professional
musicians. Masterworks is joined in many performances by professional
vocal soloists who appear with leading symphony orchestras and opera
companies throughout North America and Europe.
Dr. Bryan Baker is in his eighth season as
Artistic Director and Conductor of Masterworks Chorale, and holds
positions of Director of Music at the Unitarian Universalist Church of
Berkeley, Assistant Conductor of the San Francisco Choral Society, and
directs two chamber choirs: New Shoes and Serenade. He conducts
instrumental ensembles including the Solaris Chamber Orchestra,
Masterworks Orchestra, Peninsula Symphonic Winds, New Millennium
Strings, and the Kensington Symphony Orchestra. Recent performances
include Carmina Burana with Peninsula Cantare and Ragazzi Boys Chorus,
Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings, Mozart's Requeim and Waisenhaus
Messe, and the West Coast premiere of Tavener's Lament for Jerusalem.
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E. Stewart
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Riverview High School Chamber Choir Bio (FL)
The Riverview High School Chamber Choir has been a Superior choir for the past 4 years, earning Superiors ratings at both the District and state Music Performance Assessments. They have remained an active ensemble performing annually at the Florida State Fair, the Strawberry Festival and many performances in the Tampa Bay Area. In November of 2007, they traveled to New York City to perform Handel's Messiah under the direction of John Rutter. In March of 2008, they were featured in a PBS special, "Tim Janis, Celebrate America", a musical tribute to our nation. They annually perform a masterwork which combines the Choral students with the instrumental students. Some of the works they have performed include Handel's Messiah, the Vivaldi Gloria and the Rutter Magnificat.
Elizabeth Stewart holds a Bachelors of Music in Voice Performance from the University of Tampa. She began her career as a private voice instructor and vocal coach for 18 years before becoming the director of the Riverview High School Choral Program, a position she has held for the past five years. She has music directed over 200 musicals and operettas in the Tampa Bay area and in on the Vocal Faculty at the Patel Conservatory at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.
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B. Peterson
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Summit Ensemble (CO)
Summit Ensemble is an auditioned community choir for high-school aged young people. The Ensemble represents some of Colorado Springs' best high school singers from over 13 high schools in the Pikes Peak Region. They perform 15-20 times per year throughout the community. Their repertoire ranges from classical to jazz. The Ensemble performs regularly throughout Colorado Springs and the state of Colorado. Their appearance at the Colorado Music Educators Convention in January, 1996 received rave reviews. In 1997 the Summit Ensemble traveled to New York City to perform Mozart's Solemn Vespers at Carnegie Hall. Other tour opportunities have taken the Ensemble to Minnesota where they performed at St. Olaf College and throughout the Twin Cities area.
Bradley Peterson attended the University of Northern Colorado, where he earned his B.A. in Music Education and a Masters of Arts in Choral Literature and Conducting. He retired from Colorado Springs School District 11 after 30 years of public school teaching: eight years at Irving Junior High School and 22 years at Mitchell High School as Choral Conductor/Music Chair. Mr. Peterson has served as an adjudicator and clinician throughout the state of Colorado and in Nebraska. Mr. Peterson has served as chairman of the Colorado All State Choirs, received honorable mention as Teacher of the Year, and was the first winner of the Governor's Award for Excellence; in 2001 he was honored with the Distinguished Arts Educator Award.
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J. Throne
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Unionville High School Chorale (PA)
The Unionville High School Chorale is a highly auditioned group of singers grades 9-12 who are devoted to the study of choral music, advanced vocal techniques and ensemble skills. Chorale members are committed to the exposure of a variety of music literature including repertoire of different styles, cultures and genres. The Chorale has participated in numerous adjudications and festivals around the country and is highly regarded for their musicality and adventurous programming.
Jason Throne received his Bachelor of Music in Education at Temple University in 1996. He began his teaching career in Baltimore, where he taught choral music at Arbutis Middle School. While in Baltimore he studied conducting under the direction of Edward Polochick, the Director of the Baltimore Symphony Chorus, and performed with the Baltimore Symphony and Chamber Singers. Mr. Throne earned his Masters in Choral Conducting from Temple University in 1999.
Recently Mr. Throne founded the Brandywine Valley Chorale, a new adult community choir in Chester County, PA. This is his seventh year as Vocal Music Director at Unionville High School. Mr. Throne resides in Downingtown, PA with his wife Beth and three children Danny, Sophia and Madison.
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What People Said... |
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View video testimonials from participants
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Eric Whitacre on WQXR: June 11, 2010
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From The Epoch Times: Huge Choral Rendition of "Paradise Lost" (PDF 371K)
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Damon Kirsche
Soloist
Iris,
Thank you for the sterling organization you and Jonathan have created
and for making this grand adventure possible. I was overwhelmed by the
profound impact the concert made on so many. Even yesterday, as I was
running errands in midtown, I was stopped by one of the choral leaders
who thanked me profusely and commented on how much the evening meant to
her and her choristers.
As Andrew and I left Rosie O'Grady's on Tuesday night
to join the party at Providence, one of the choirs had assembled on the
sidewalk and was singing "Lux Eterna," as though it were a
turn-of-the-century broadsheet ballad. Magic!
With deep gratitude,
Damon
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Doug Kreeger
Soloist
What a magical night. I thank you for your commitment to the arts, to
providing a safe and thriving place for actor/singers, and for a night
that I will always remember.
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David Norona
Assistant Director
I
can't begin to thank you and Jonathan (and all of the employees of
DCINY) for putting together such a top-notch event. Your attention to
detail and your care for the talent was simply class A.
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Peggy Dettwiler
Mansfield University (PA)
Dear Jonathan and Iris,
Congratulations to you and the staff of DCINY for the spectacular performance of Whitacre's Paradise Lost! My students and I enjoyed every minute of the experience.
Eric is truly a master -- wonderful composer, conductor, and rehearser! It was such an educational experience to see him put this complicated score together. And he was ALWAYS gracious!
Everything and everyone seemed to put [the concert] together with ease.
Best wishes,
Peggy
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Comments from choir participants
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Thank you! This weekend was amazing. I am still high on the adrenaline rush and have yet to stop singing the songs from the show. The audience was phenomenal. There was a standing ovation, followed by what seemed like an hour of clapping and bowing. It was a fantastic show. The weekend was wonderfully coordinated by all of the staff at DCINY. Thank you for the experience of a lifetime.
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The experience was fantastic! The rehearsals went by very quickly and we sounded incredible. Furthermore, the taikos, DJ, and leads all did a spectacular job! Plus, we got two standing ovations and people were commenting about how they laughed and cried throughout the concert. The show was emotional for the audience and performers alike! The huge chorus (422 performers!) was epic. I can only imagine the sound from the audience's perspective. I had a wonderful time.
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My trip to New York, and my time working with Mr. Whitacre w[ere] absolutely fantastic. Truly an opportunity of a lifetime. I was so impressed that with the size of the choir, and all of the facets of organizing the whole event, it went off without a hitch. I had so much fun and met so many lovely people! Thank you so much for a week I'll never forget!
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I had a great time in New York! The show really came together. The music is absolutely gorgeous, and it was a real pleasure being able to perform it, especially in Carnegie Hall. I really enjoyed my time in New York. It was a great experience and I met some great people.
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What an amazing, life altering, wonderful experience. I treasured every last second of it. WOW! The audience was very receptive, the DCINY staff was helpful and organized, and always had an answer.
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I am definitely interested in doing another DCINY concert performance. My whole family came to watch this incredible event, and I am so thankful. The reception was AWESOME, we were at Rosie O'Grady's and the service and catering were phenomenal. THANK YOU!
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The experience was absolutely incredible and I would do it again in a heartbeat. It felt very well organized and ran like a well-oiled machine. Instructions/directions were very clear and everyone was quite helpful.
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