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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
The Music of Karl Jenkins
Jonathan Griffith, Conductor
Lori Singer, Cello; Pamela Hinchman, Soprano; Tracy Watson, Mezzo-soprano; William Watson, Tenor; Ricardo Herrera, Bass
read soloist bios
Requiem
Distinguished Concerts Singers International
City of Bath Bach Choir (UK); Hilo Community Chorus (HI); University of
Hawaii at Hilo; Young People's Chorus; Cantare
& Young Men's Choir, New York (NY); Scarsdale High Schol Chamber
Choir (NY)
read ensemble bios
The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace
Accompanied by “The Armed Man film” (U.S. Premiere)
Distinguished Concerts Singers International
Canberra Choral Society (AU); Pro Cantu Youth Choir, Bellville (RSA); Lord Williams' Festival Chorus (UK); Salisbury Community Choir (UK); Crystal Coast Choral Society, Jacksonville (NC); Young People's Chorus Concert Choir & Young Men's Choir, New York (NY); Westlake UMC Chancel Choir (OH); Jonathan Griffith Singers (US & CAN)
read ensemble bios
Hymn – In Memoriam: Martin Luther King, Jr.
(World Premiere)
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Photos...
Click here to see photos
submitted by concert participants.
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What People Said...
What a smashing success Monday evening
turned out to be!! The program undertaken was
above and beyond substantial. I am dumbfounded as to how you put so much music
together and were able to stand on the podium and make it through so many
notes. The choirs sounded wonderful. And, what an interesting bunch they were,
truly international. It was such a lovely homogeneous quality of tone between
orch., chor. and the children...
read more on what people said
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Performers participating in Requiem represent:
United Kingdom
City of Bath Bach Choir (UK)
The City of Bath Bach Choir was formed in 1946 in Bath by the late
Cuthbert Bates an amateur musician with a great love of and
understanding for the works of J. S. Bach. From the outset however the
CBBC performed a wide range of music from early to contemporary. Today
the 100-strong Choir continues to give three annual concerts and is
widely recognized as one of the leading musical forces in the southwest
of England. The Choir enjoys touring and has been looking forward to
its first time performing in the US.
 Nigel Perrin,
Music Director, is an internationally renowned choral musician.He is a
former chorister of Ely Cathedral and a choral scholar at Kings'
College, Cambridge, where he studied under Sir David Willcocks. On
graduating from Cambridge, he became well known as the first high
(countertenor) voice in the world-famous singing group, The Kings'
Singers. Nigel sang with the King's Singers for 11 years, recording 25
albums and singing with artists as diverse at Kiri Te Kanawa and Cliff
Richard. This background and experience formed the basis for his
current career - conducting, directing choral workshops and summer
schools, adjudicating, and teaching. He is currently a member of staff
at Wells Cathedral Specialist Music School and formed Bath Camerata,
one of Britain's leading and award winning chamber choirs. Nigel has
been Musical Director of the City of Bath Bach Choir since 1990.
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United States
Hilo Community Chorus (HI)
For several decades, the Hilo Community Chorus was a part of a choral
union with the chorus of the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Because of
the growth of both choruses and the limited space available for
rehearsals, the ensembles rehearse separately but combine for
performances.
 Tom McAlexander,
Director, although he has been associated with choral music since early
childhood and attended college on a music scholarship, he chose another
vocation and served for 34 years as a forensic document examiner with
the FBI, CIA, and Secret Service. During that time he always found time
to participate in choral music in church choirs and community choruses.
For 25 years, he sang with the Metropolitan Chorus in the Washington DC
area, where he was frequently featured as tenor soloist. Shortly after
retiring to Hawaii in 1994, he became the volunteer director of a
community chorus in the village of Volcano. In 2005 he was asked to
become the music director of the Hilo Community Chorus and has served
in that volunteer capacity ever since.
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University of Hawaii at Hilo Showcase Singers (HI)
This group is an auditioned ensemble consisting of students from all
academic majors at UH Hilo. Many are candidates for a unique Performing
Arts degree, which combines music, dance, and drama, offered at UH
Hilo. The University of Hawaii at Hilo has one of the most diverse
student populations in the United States. Students from the US
Mainland, South Korea, China, Japan, the Philippines, Micronesia, and
Taiwan participate in the performing ensembles at UH Hilo.
 Ken Staton,
Director, has enjoyed a distinguished musical career which has taken
him throughout the United States, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia,
Scandinavia and Australia, and has led to appointments as professor of
music at the University of Denver and the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
He has also served as lecturer at the University of the Philippines and
at Holy Trinity College in Palawan, Philippines. In 1985, he left the
University of Hawaii at Hilo to devote more time to his professional
conducting career. He has since conducted orchestras from Beijing
Central Conservatory of Music, Shanghai Opera Center, New Music
Ensemble of Oslo, Sunra Symphony Orchestra (HI), and the Heartland
Symphony Orchestra (MN). He is an active conductor both on the concert
stage and as musical director for over 30 stage productions. In 1990,
Maestro Staton founded the Kona Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. In 2003,
he returned to the University of Hawaii-Hilo where he is currently
Chair of the Performing Arts Department, Director of Choral Activities
and founder and conductor of the UH Hilo/Community Orchestra. He is the
2006 recipient of the Hung Wo and Elizabeth Lau Ching Award for service
to the community. He has received annual performance grants from the
Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation (NYC) for the last four years.
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Young People's Chorus Cantare (New York, NY)
This chorus is comprised of girls and boys, ages 11 through 16. The
group meets Tuesdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. from September through June.
Through a Kodály music curriculum, children learn vocalization,
sight-reading, and performance skills. They learn to sing in two-
three- and four- part harmony with repertoire in many styles and
languages. This ensemble begins advanced level repertoire in three- and
four-parts and performs 15-20 concerts each season.
 Elizabeth Núñez
directs and serves as conductor for the YPC's Cantare and Prelude
divisions. Since joining the staff in 2004, Ms. Núñez has conducted the
YPC in concerts at the 92nd Street Y, live on television for
NBC's national Fifth Avenue Snowflake lighting in New York, and
prepared the choir to appear on the "Regis and Kelly" Christmas pajama
party show and with Simon Cowell's Il Divo on "The Martha Stewart
Show." Under her direction, Ms. Núñez has also conducted the YPC in New
Orleans; Ithaca, NY; and Niagara Falls. In addition, Ms. Núñez is the
director of the YPC Partner and Satellite School programs, working with
New York City public schools to bring the YPC choral experience to
hundreds of children throughout the city. Since she made her solo debut
with the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Ms. Núñez has continued to sing
professionally, with appearances at New York's Lincoln Center and
Boston's Jordan Hall, and maintains an active voice studio. As a choral
clinician, she has given workshops around the country and in New York
for the department of education and Metropolitan Opera Guild. Ms. Núñez
received a Bachelor of Music Education at Lee University, where she was
named the music education graduate of the year, and her Master of Music
Education from the University of Oklahoma, where she also completed her
Kodaly education certification.
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Young People's Chorus Young Men's Chorus (New York, NY)
Under the direction of conductor
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this group is composed of young men, ages 13 through 18. The ensemble
meets twice a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. from
September through June. Singers learn music theory, aural training, and
performance skills. Individual attention is given to each singer as his
voice develops. They learn to sing in three- and four- part harmony and
begin advanced level repertoire in many styles. The group gives 20-30
public performances yearly.
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Scarsdale High School Chamber Choir (NY)
Now in its sixth year of existence, the Scarsdale High School Chamber
Choir has performed at such diverse venues as New York's Carnegie Hall;
the Temppeliauiko Church in Helsinki, Finland; the Cathedral of Santa
Maria in Trastevere, Rome; and at the International Youth Orchestra
Festival in Lucca, Italy. The Chamber Choir has performed in Italy,
Russia, Finland, and Estonia. At home, they have also garnered awards
at various festivals, including a gold medal at the NYSSMA Festival.
Their repertoire is varied; from the early Renaissance to contemporary
works, to unaccompanied works, and to large-scale choral works with
orchestra. The members of the choir come out of the larger choirs at
Scarsdale High School and boast alumni at some of the most prestigious
universities and colleges throughout the United States.
 John Cuk
is the Director of Choirs at Scarsdale High School, associate Conductor
of Opera Festival di Roma, and Director of Music at St. Luke's
Episcopal Church in Somers, NY. He has led choirs and orchestras in
England, Ireland, Italy, Russia, Finland, Estonia, and Poland as well
as the U.S. His groups have performed at such venues as Carnegie Hall,
New York; Kennedy Library, Boston; St. Matthew's Cathedral, Washington,
DC; St. John's Cathedral, Limerick, Ireland; the Temppeliaukio Church,
Helsinki, Finland; St. James at Piccadilly, London, England; and at the
International Youth Orchestra Festival in Lucca, Italy. Active as a
guest conductor and clinician, he has also prepared choirs for the
Moscow State Ballet, Purchase Symphony, and Orchestra Sinfonica dell'
International Chamber Ensemble, and commissioned a choral work for
choir for the millennium celebration. Since 2003, Mr. Cuk has been
associated with Opera Estate at St. Ivo's alla Piacenza in Rome as
assistant conductor, choir master, and coach. Accolades have come to
Cuk as an educator and musician. He has been listed in Who's Who Among American Educators, Who's Who In The East, and The International Who's Who in Music and Musicians Directory.
Mr. Cuk is much in demand as a coach, pianist, and recitalist. A
distinguished accompanist and pianist, he has performed frequently with
professional opera singers from the Metropolitan Opera, New York City
Opera,. and instrumentalists in chamber music recitals.
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Performers participating in The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace represent:
Australia
Canberra Choral Society (AU)
The Canberra Choral Society is the leading choral group in the ACT. It
regularly performs works from the established choral repertoire as well
as 20th Century and contemporary works, including specially
commissioned compositions. The Choir has performed with the Sydney,
Melbourne, and Canberra Symphony orchestras. In addition, for over 40
years, the Choir has taken choral singing to regional areas of NSW
performing with local choirs in joint productions. It also performs
free concerts in popular venues, such as the Australian Museum and the
National Gallery of Australia, and contributes to community events,
such as the annual Remembrance Day Service at the Australian War
Memorial. Over the years, it has also participated in many opera
productions in Canberra and the region including Verdi's Aida (televised on ABC TV), Vaughan Williams' The Pilgrim's Progress (the first performance in 25 years) and Bizet's The Pearl Fishers (most recently under the baton of Richard Bonynge).
In 1992 the Society received a Canberra Critics Circle award for its Fortieth Anniversary Concert program.
 Peter Pocock,
Musical Director, established his career as a choral conductor and arts
administrator while living in his native country Australia. He served
as Founding Secretary for the Australian National Choral Association
from its inception to 1990. He conducted the City of Sydney Choir and
the Sydney Male Choir. His choirs toured New Zealand, the United
States, Canada and England (1986, 1988, and 1990), singing at the
prestigious Llangollen Festival (1988) and the Pacific International
Male Chorus Festival in Vancouver (1990). Returning to the United
States in 1990, Dr. Pocock quickly established a reputation as a choral
conductor, master clinician and teacher. He founded the Santa Clarita
Master Chorale in 1999-the 60-voice chorale has received critical
praise since its inception. In 1999 Dr. Pocock accepted the National
Presidency of the National Association of Church Musicians in the
United States, and in 2000 he accepted an appointment to the Cultural
Affairs Advisory Board of the City of Santa Clarita, California. He
holds Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music (Choral Music) degrees
from the University of Southern California, as well as Bachelor's
degrees in music and theology. On returning to Australia, Dr Pocock
joined the faculty of Charles Sturt University's School of Theology in
Canberra, and, in addition to conducting the Canberra Choral Society,
is Director of Music at St. Paul's Anglican Church, Manuka.
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Republic of South Africa
Pro Cantu Youth Choir, Protea Valley (RSA)
This group is based in the northern suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa,
but draws its members from all over the Cape Peninsula. Pro Cantu is
proud to provide an opportunity for young South Africans to sing in a
choir of the highest international standards while delivering a moving
musical experience to its audiences. Choir rehearsals (twice a week)
provide an opportunity for young people from all population groups to
meet, form friendships, and make incredible music. Since its start in
1997, Pro Cantu has proven itself both in South Africa and on the
international stage. Most recently the choir won a gold medal and
achieved a second place in the Mixed Youth Choir category of the 4th
World Choir Games (formerly known as the Choir Olympics) in Xiamen,
China in June 2006. They also undertook a very successful concert tour
in Malaysia before taking part in the competition.
 Leon Starker,
Director, completed high school in Pietermaritzburg, one of the top ten
scholars on the Natal provincial matriculation merit list in his final
year. He attended Stellenbosch University, studying for a Bachelor of
Science degree in Chemistry and Math and completing the Higher
Education Diploma. During his student years, he studied singing with
Professor George van der Spuy, and sang in the University Choir under
the direction of Acama Fick. He joined Bellville High School as a
Science teacher in 1990 and started training their senior choir in
1991. In 1996, he formed a 24 member chamber choir at Bellville High
School consisting of gifted students from the senior choir. In 1997,
the chamber choir won the Prague International Choir Competition in the
Czech Republic.
He has completed the Advanced Diploma in Choral Conducting (cum laude)
through the Nelson Mandela Metropole University in Port Elizabeth and
is currently registered for an Master of Music degree in Choral
Conducting at the NMMU. He is married to Louise and they have three
daughters. Leon has been the conductor of Pro Cantu since 2004.
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United Kingdom
Lord Williams' Festival Chorus (UK)
The Chorus was formed around 1970 as the result of a Festival of
Christmas Music for combined school choruses at Thame Sports and Arts
Centre (now, Thame Leisure Centre. Initially the group was conducted by
Chris Hood and teachers of primary schools in Buckinghamshire.
From 1973 to 1983, the director of the combined choirs was Robin
Nelson. He was followed by David Murphy, Jane Smale, Tina Guthrie, and
Elizabeth Hammond. In 1990, Robert Hammersley took over, changing the
ensemble's name to Festival Chorus. The choir then became independent.
John Gibbons became Director of Music in 2004. In 2006, the group
received registered charitable states, enabling it to receive donations
from the public.
 John Gibbons,
Director, studied at Queens' College Cambridge, the Royal Academy of
Music, and the Royal College of Music. He works as a guest assistant
conductor at the Royal Opera House and conducts for Opera Holland Park.
This past summer, he conducted performances of La fanciulla del West with the City of London Orchestra. Previously, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, he conducted productions of Adrianna Lecouvreur, L' amico Fritz, Carmen, Stiffelio and La traviata. In 1997, he conducted the first UK staging of Mascagni's Iris for Holland Park Opera and L'Arlésiana. Other notable opera productions include Mozart's Il Re Pastor at St. John's, Smith Square and La bohème
at the Spier Festival in South Africa. He led the Royal Philharmonic
Orchestra in the inaugural Classic FM "Hall of Fame" concert and the
launch of "Digital Classics Television," both events at the Royal
Albert Hall. His Royal Festival Hall debut with the London Philharmonic
Orchestra was followed by a CD of Skalkottas and Joseph James with the
Philharmonia Orchestra. In 2004, he made his debut with the City of
Birmingham Orchestra and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. He
recently recorded for radio and CD the new Piano Concerto by Joseph
James with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. John is Principal Conductor of
Worthing Symphony Orchestra, the professional orchestra of West Sussex.
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Salisbury Community Chorus (UK)
Salisbury Community Choir was formed in 1993, growing from an evening
class entitled "Singing for Non Singers." Members are not required to
audition, nor to be able to read music. Therefore, it is open to anyone
with a love of music. Since Fiona Clarke became Musical director in
1998, Salisbury Community Choir's membership has increased tenfold to
around 200. In 2001, the choir embarked on its first European tour to
Germany. In 2003, it traveled to Paris; in 2005 to Poland; and in the
spring of 2007, it performed a series of concerts in Cape Town, South
Africa, culminating in the African premiere of The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace.
For that performance, it was joined by a multi-cultural range of South
African choirs, including the Pro Cantu Youth Choir, the Voices of Cape
Town, and the UCT Choir to form what Archbishop Desmond Tutu named "A
Rainbow Choir for a Rainbow Nation."
 Fiona Clarke,
Director, since graduating from the Royal Academy of Music, has worked
as a consort singer with such groups as the Tallis Scholars, the Kings
Consort, and the BBC Singers. She worked for 10 years as a full-time
member of The Sixteen, with whom she traveled around the world and made
numerous recordings. She is an established singing teacher and workshop
leader both in the Salisbury area and nationally. Fiona is vocal
consultant to the London Gay Men's Chorus, and works with Scott Stroman
and his Eclectic Voices as a soloist and vocal coach. More recent solo
engagements include performances of Handel's Messiah, Brahms' Requiem, and Monteverdi's Vespers.
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United States
Crystal Coast Choral Society, Jacksonville (NC)
The Crystal Coast Choral Society was organized in 1985 to allow singers
and audiences from local communities in eastern North Carolina to
experience the best in choral music performed to the highest standards.
The initial group of 20 members has grown to an average of 70 singers
of all ages and musical backgrounds. The chorus performs at least three
yearly concerts from a repertoire ranging from a cappella renaissance
music to great choral masterworks with orchestra.
 Finley C. Woolston,
Director, now devotes himself to music after a career in the Marine
Corps and Navy. He sang with the Saratoga-Potsdam Chorus and was a
student of Brock McHelheren of the Crane School of Music. He attended
the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where he was a cum laude vocal performance major. He has performed with many eastern North Carolina choruses. He is currently Music Director of Schola Cantorum, the choir of the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina. With Schola Cantorum,
he has completed extended residencies in England's Gloucester
Cathedral. As Music Director of the Crystal Coast Choral Society, he
has prepared members for three performances of major choral works in
Carnegie Hall. Additionally, he is the Music Director of Richlands
United Methodist Church, Richlands, NC. He is also a classical music
announcer and choral music producer with Public Radio East, WTEB, 89.3.
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Westlake UMC Chancel Choir (OH)
The Westlake UMC Chancel Choir is the regular adult choir at Westlake
United Methodist Church, leading worship nearly every Sunday through
anthems and service music. The choir is made up of 50 singers, all of
whom are volunteers. Members spend three hours each week on Thursday
evenings and Sunday mornings preparing for worship and special events.
Repertoire ranges from Renaissance to the Modern Era, from gospel to
motet.
 Andy Call,
Director, serves as the Associate for Music and Worship at Westlake
United Methodist Church, where he directs the Chancel Choir and
Celebration Singers, oversees the music program for all ages, and plans
and coordinates the worship experience. His education credentials
include a master's degree in Choral Conducting from The Ohio State
University, where he was a University Fellow and studied under Dr.
Hilary Apfelstadt and Jim Gallagher. His bachelor's degree is in Music
Education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Previous choral
experience includes four years as Director of Choral Activities at New
Philadelphia High School. Currently, he serves as secretary for the
Ohio Choral Directors Association. He is a member of ACDA, OCDA,
Choristers Guild, and the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and
Worship Arts. Andy is married to Jennifer, herself an outstanding
choral director. Together they have two sons, Wesley and Eliot.
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Young People's Chorus Concert Chorus, New York (NY)
The Young People's Chorus of New York City (YPC), the resident choir of
both the 92nd Street Y and WNYC New York Public Radio, has
distinguished itself as one of the finest youth choruses in the world.
YPC, under its founder and artistic director Francisco J. Núñez, has
sung on three continents-from Carnegie Hall and the White House to
Smetana Hall in Prague, St. Martin in the Fields in London, and
Asa-Minami Ward Cultural Center Hall in Hiroshima. They represented the
U.S. at the Seventh World Symposium on Choral Music in Kyoto, performed
at the 2006 national conference of Chorus America in Washington, DC,
and recently sang for Laura Bush as part of The White House Conference
on Global Literacy. Since the ensemble was originally founded by Mr.
Núñez in 1988, it has grown from a group of musical novices to a
sought-after, musically sophisticated youth ensemble comprising 250
choristers ranging in age from 8 to 18. An additional 700-plus young
people participate through the YPC's Satellite program in New York City
schools and the Casita Maria Community Center. Now celebrating its 10th
anniversary, YPC has been cited for its dedication to at-risk youth by
the New York State Assembly, the Mayor of New York, and the President's
Commission on the Arts and Humanities. The chorus has won top prizes in
international choral competitions throughout North America and Europe,
including two gold medals at the 2004 Choir Olympics in Germany, and
was among the first inductees in WNET/Thirteen's Community Hall of
Fame. Among its most recent honors are the 2005 Chorus America/ASCAP
Award for Adventurous Programming and Chorus America 's 2006 Education
Outreach Award.
 Francisco J. Núñez,
born in New York City of Dominican descent, is a composer, conductor, a
leading figure in music education, and a visionary, whose strongly held
ideas have resulted in the critical and popular success of the Young
People's Chorus of New York City (YPC). Mr. Núñez is frequently called
upon by choirs throughout the country for help in replicating the YPC
success, and last year addressed the development of multicultural urban
choirs in a keynote speech at the national conference of Chorus America
in Washington, D.C. For his exemplary work with children, Mr. Núñez has
been presented with the Child Champion award from Child magazine, a Liberty Ambassador Medal from the New York Post, and a Luminary Award from Casita Maria. He was named as one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics of 2005 by Hispanic Business magazine, a 2005 man of achievement by Hispanic Magazine,
and was selected for GMC's advertising campaign as an unsung Hispanic
hero doing great work in the community. As a composer, Mr. Núñez's
works and arrangements for choirs, orchestras, and solo instruments are
inspired by a wide range of Latin cultures and musical idioms. Mr.
Núñez also conducts the University Glee Club of New York City, the New
York University Singers, NYU Women's Chorus, and is a guest conductor
and master teacher for choral workshops, demonstrations, and festivals
nationwide.
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Young People's Chorus Young Men's Chorus (New York, NY)
Led by
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this ensemble is for young men, ages 13 through 18. The group meets
twice a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. from
September through June. Singers learn music theory, aural training, and
performance skills. Individual attention is given to each singer as his
voice develops. They learn to sing in three- and four- part harmony and
begin advanced level repertoire in many styles. The ensemble gives
20-30 public performances yearly.
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Jonathan Griffith Singers (US & CAN)
Founded by conductor and educator Jonathan Griffith in 1987, the
Jonathan Griffith Singers has developed and grown over the years.
Beginning as a chamber choir of 24 professional singers in Portland,
Oregon, it is now an ensemble of 80-120 amateur and professional
singers who come from several different regions of the United States
and Canada. All of the members have had years of choral experience, and
many of the singers are music teachers and full time musicians. Known
for their appealing and accessible programming, the Singers perform a
wide range of repertoire. Members of the ensemble have performed in
some of the world's finest concert halls in the United States and in
Europe, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the Rudolfinum in Prague,
the Palau de la Musica in Barcelona, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome,
and the Cathedral Duomo of Pisa in Italy. Read full biography
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