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D. Rao
E. Johnson
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Sunday, April 5, 2009
2:00 PM
Palm Sunday
AVERY FISHER HALL, LINCOLN CENTER
Doreen Rao, Conductor Laureate
U.S. Premiere
John Burge: Mass for Prisoners of Conscience
Dedicated to Amnesty International
Shannon Coates-Hill, Mezzo-Soprano
Andrew Love, Baritone
Eric Johnson, Guest Conductor
Haydn: Mass No. 12 in B flat ("Theresienmesse"), Hob. XXII
Orna Arania, Soprano
Shannon Magee, Mezzo-Soprano
John Tiranno, Tenor
Samuel Smith, Baritone
Featuring Distinguished Concerts Orchestra International and Distinguished Concert Singers International
Participating in Mass No. 12 in B flat ("Theresienmesse"), Hob. XXII: DeKalb Festival Chorus (IL); Northern Illinois University Concert Choir (IL); Plainfield South High School Concert Choir (IL); Wheaton North High School Choir (IL)
Participating in Mass for Prisoners of Conscience: Queen's University Choral Ensemble (ON); University of Toronto MacMillan Singers (ON)
read what people said
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Composer and Ensemble bios |
J. Burge
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John Burge, Composer
John Burge holds degrees in composition and theory from the University of Toronto (B.M. and M.M.) and the University of British Columbia (D.M.A.). Since 1987 he has been teaching composition and theory at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, where he currently holds the position of full professor and is director of the School of Music. John Burge has written a large body of vocal, chamber, and orchestral compositions. He is particularly well known for his choral music, which has been performed by such choirs as the Elmer Iseler Singers, BBC Singers, Amabile Youth Choir, Toronto Children's Chorus, and St. Louis Symphony Children's Choir. Many of these choral works have been published by the American firm, Boosey and Hawkes. His composition, Angels' Voices, for choir and orchestra, received the 2006 Outstanding New Choral Composition Award from the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors and was performed in New York City's Carnegie Hall in 2005.
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United States |
J. Whiting
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DeKalb Festival Chorus
(IL)
The DeKalb Festival Chorus is an auditioned community vocal group in DeKalb, Illinois. Elwood Smith, former Professor of Music at Northern Illinois University, founded the "town and gown" group in 1975. Their current director is Jennifer Whiting. DFC currently has 55 members from all walks of life and includes a wide span of ages. They sing a variety of musical styles from classical and modern pieces to folk songs and lighter fare.
Jennifer Whiting holds a bachelor's degree in piano from Rockford College and a Master of Music with Individualized Specialization in Choral Conducting and a Performer's Certificate from Northern Illinois University. A church music director and piano teacher for many years, Jennifer now conducts the DeKalb Festival Chorus and teaches music at Kishwaukee Community College in Malta, IL. She and her husband Rob live in Wheaton, IL, and they have two grown daughters.
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C. Ruge
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PSHS Concert Choir
The PSHS Concert Choir is the top auditioned choral ensemble at Plainfield South HS (IL). The ensemble strives for comprehensive musicianship, following a rigorous curriculum of music theory, music history, music literacy, and vocal technique. They perform a wide range of literature each year, from early chant to the avant garde, and send students annually to IMEA and ACDA honor choirs. The ensemble has recently worked under the baton of Brad Holmes (Millikin), Eric Johnson (Northern Illinois), James Stegall (Western Illinois), and Christopher Cock (Valparaiso). Concert Choir will perform this year by invitation at Lincoln Center (NY), the Rialto Theater (IL), and on WGN-TV.
Mr. Chris Ruge is in his sixth year as Director of Choirs at Plainfield (IL) South High School, where he leads three curricular and two co-curricular choirs and directs the annual Madrigal Dinners and Spring Musical. His program is represented each year in honor choirs at every level, from local to ACDA national. His choirs have performed in Toronto, northern California, and throughout Wisconsin and Illinois. He earned the Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Wisconsin - Madison and the Master of Music Education degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Mr. Ruge has performed across Europe and has worked with the Grammy Award-winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Mr. Ruge is also active with OneWay Ministries, including collecting field recordings in Botswana, Africa. He is an active member of ACDA, IMEA and MENC, and he has previously taught at Plainfield HS - Central Campus and Morrison (IL) HS.
Ms. Sarah Homan is in her second year as the Assistant Director of Choirs at Plainfield (IL) South and North High Schools. She is a graduate of North Central College and holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She has participated in various performing groups including the Indiana All-State Mixed and Women's Honors Choirs, Vox Celestis, the North Central College Women's Chorale, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, New Visions, and Voices of Praise Gospel Choir, as well as two traditional spiritual/gospel choirs at DuPage AME Church in Lisle, IL. She has also held a directing role in many of these ensembles. Her current position includes directing curricular ensembles at both North and South high schools, as well as Bella Voce, Soubrettes, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and serving as music director for the Spring Musical. Ms. Homan is also the founding director of the Plainfield Chamber Strings, the school district's only string ensemble.
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Northern Illinois University Concert Choir
The NIU Choral department, under the direction of Eric Johnson, offers a rich environment in which to create music, develop personal artistry, and participate in the power of voices joined in song. NIU choral ensembles are active in a variety of venues and idioms. Concert Choir has performed with many Illinois professional orchestras and appeared in numerous prestigious venues in the Northern Illinois area, the Chicago Symphony Center, Fourth Presbyterian Church Concert Series in Chicago, Norris Center for the Performing Arts, Hemmen's Auditorium, and numerous local schools and churches. Concerts on campus feature the wealth of choral traditions spanning an array from choral orchestral masterworks such as Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem and Bernstein's Chichester Psalms to the intimate and sublime works of Arvo Part.
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Wheaton North High School Choir (IL)
Select students from four choral groups at Wheaton North High School in Wheaton, Illinois. Many students take voice lessons privately and are involved in choirs after school, in church and around the community. Wheaton choir students are part of a rapidly growing music department and those selected to perform are among the hardest working and most dedicated to the program. We are honored to have the opportunity to be part of this magnificent performance.
Amy L. Noodén is the Director of Choral Activities at Wheaton North High School. She holds her Masters Degree in Music with degrees from Northern Illinois University and Berklee School of Music. Amy was the recipient of the Charles Baker Memorial Scholarship for piano performance/music theory and of the prestigious Sally Stevens Award (2000). She is a member of the Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA), American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Amy is inspired by her students, her family and the memory of her mother, pianist and Julliard graduate Jeananne Albee.
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Canada
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Queen's University Choral Ensemble (ON)
Queen's University, located in Kingston, Ontario, is one of Canada's most respected academic institutions. The university's Choral Ensemble is conducted by Dr. Karen Frederickson. While many of the singers are enrolled in the university's Bachelor of Music program, the choir is open by audition to any student at Queen's University and has student representation from many different faculties and programs. In recent years, the choir has combined with the Kingston Choral Society to sing some of the standard large choral works with the Kingston Symphony such as Verdi's Requiem, Carl Orff's Carmina Burana and Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
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University of Toronto MacMillan Singers (ON)
The University of Toronto MacMillan Singers was founded in 1994 by Doreen Rao to celebrate the legacy of Sir Ernest MacMillan, an inspired performer and devoted teacher who influenced every aspect of Canada's musical life. This award-winning ensemble conducted by Doreen Rao regularly performs with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Peter Oundjian. The MacMillan Singers enjoy numerous collaborations with Helmuth Rilling, Nexus, the Elmer Iseler Singers and the Gryphon Trio. Recent seasons have included Festival performances of Bach Cantatas, Mozart C minor Mass, Stravinsky Les Noces, and the Mozart Requiem. In October 2007, the MacMillan Singers performed the St. John Passion BWV 245 in the Toronto Bach Festival.
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What People Said... |
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Dr. Eric A Johnson
Director of Choral Activities
Northern Illinois University
Thank you for a truly magical weekend of music. Every aspect of our residency was handled with care and professionalism. Your support staff was extremely attentive and eager to make certain I had what I needed. The rehearsal schedule was well-planned and allowed time for our singers to be well-prepared for the concert without overly taxing and wearing out the young voices, and the choir still had ample time [to] experience New York. Every aspect of the weekend sparkled with professionalism and integrity. From the fabulous Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center to the little details of water for myself and the soloists, DCINY's commitment to the highest levels of professionalism and educational quality shown through at all times.
I also really enjoyed working with the orchestra. Not only were they fine musicians who were attentive to playing in a beautiful Haydn style, they were also very open to my work with them and gave freely of their energies both in rehearsal and during the performance. Such an attitude has to be sought out and fostered by the contractor and organization. You definitely have hit the mark in that goal.
The party was extraordinary. The high my choir had from the performance was shot over the moon by the dinner. Beautiful setting, fabulous food, and the perfect exclamation point to an intense weekend of hard work and great music, just an absolute blessing.
I am certain this weekend will be a lifetime memory for all of my singers. BRAVO!!!
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Doreen Rao
University of Toronto
Buffalo Symphony Chorus
I think that the DCINY staff is exceptional. Everyone was extremely kind and professional. I have particularly enjoyed working with you, Iris. You are an amazing spirit and a brilliant business woman. (I can't think of anyone I've worked with who combines your qualities of clarity, sensitivity and understanding). Jonathan, you are a kind and wonderful colleague, and I know you are making an enormous effort to do 'good works' in all your undertakings with DCINY.
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Amy L. Noodén
Director
Wheaton North Chamber Choir
I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your patience, your assistance, and above all your kindness!
Our trip to New York with Dr. Eric Johnson from NIU and performing the Haydn Mass in B Flat was one of the most exciting moments in my entire life. You helped me out in so many ways, understanding and listening to all my frustrations planning the trip. If it weren't for you and your wonderful team, I would have probably given up hope and would have never been able to experience such an amazing performance. My students still rave about it being the best trip EVER! Haydn is a household (schoolhold??) word in choir, whereas most students wouldn't have known the difference between Haydn and Handel.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, again. The world is a better place because of musicians like yourself.
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