|
view concert photos
E. Whitacre
|
Sunday, March 15, 2009
2:00 pm
AVERY FISHER HALL, LINCOLN CENTER
The Music of Whitacre
Including a world premiere courtesy of the DCINY Premiere Project
Eric Whitacre, Guest Conductor/Composer
Featuring Distinguished Concert Singers International: Canta Filia (Kansas City, MO); Capital High School (Helena, MT); Cedar Hill High School Choir (Cedar Hill, TX); Sprague High School (South Salem, OR)
Repertoire:
- Animal Crackers I
- Animal Crackers II (World Premiere)
- Five Hebrew Love Songs
- Leonardo
- Lux Aurumque
- Three Flower Songs
- Seal Lullaby
- Sleep
The Music of Beethoven, Boysen, Mackey, Whitacre, and Williams
Eric Whitacre, Guest Conductor
Olathe East Symphonic Winds (KS)
Eric Griffin, Director
Repertoire:
- Ralph Vaughan Williams: English Folk Song Suite – I. Seventeen Come Sunday
- Eric Whitacre: Cloudburst
- Beethoven: Sixth Symphony (the “Pastoral”)
- Dr. Andrew Boysen, Jr: Little White Lines
- John Mackey: Strange Humors
view photos read what people said
top
|
| |
Ensemble bios |
| |
United States
|
J. Benjamin
|
Canta Filia (MO)
Canta Filia
is a select ensemble of young women ages 14 to 20 at the Community
Music and Dance Academy, an outreach program of the UMKC Conservatory
of Music and Dance. Students in the ensemble attend a variety of high
schools in the Kansas City metro area. Canta Filia is dedicated to
excellence in the performance of choral music and to developing a
community of friends who share a love of singing. The ensemble
collaborates with the Kansas City Children's Chorus, but has also
performed independently and with UMKC Conservatory ensembles, community
groups, and visiting choirs.
Jennifer Benjamin,
a native of Los Angeles, earned a B.A. in vocal performance and studied
choral conducting with Paul Salamunovich at Loyola Marymount
University. She moved to Kansas City in 1993 and received her M.M. in
Music History and M.A. in Choral Education from the UMKC Conservatory
of Music & Dance. At UMKC, she studied conducting with Charles
Robinson and Eph Ehly. Jennifer served as Music Director at St.
Teresa's Academy in Kansas City from 2000 to 2005. Under her direction,
St. Teresa’s A Cappella Choir performed at the MMEA Conference in 2004
and the ACDA National Convention in 2005.
Top of page
|
D. Schulz
|
Capital High School Chamber Singers (MT)
The Capital High School Chamber Singers
are a group of sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are a select,
auditioned performing group. This Choir has received Superior Ratings
at the District Festival. Individual students in this choir have also
received the honors of performing at the State level Festivals, along
with All-Northwest performances.
Darcy Schulz is currently the Choral
Director at Capital High School in Helena, Montana. She has been in the
education field for the past 20 years, teaching both in an institution
and privately. She began her teaching career in both Elementary and
Middle School Music.She got her degree in Music Education at Montana
State University in Bozeman, Montana.
Top of page
|
E. Griffin
|
Olathe East Symphonic Winds
The Olathe East Symphonic Winds
are comprised of students from the Olathe East's Wind Ensemble and
Symphonic Band. Under the direction of Eric Griffin and Jeff Smikahl,
the bands at Olathe East have received consistent acclaim for
innovative programming and musical achievement. The music program at
Olathe East represents a well-rounded offering of bands, choirs, and
orchestra. Ensembles representing the Olathe East music program have
performed in all regions of the United States and beyond, including
England, Canada, the Hawaiian islands, and in New York City. The Olathe
East Symphonic Winds are proud to debut at Lincoln Center.
Top of page
|
R. Christensen
|
Sprague
Concert Choir (OR)
The
Sprague High School Concert Choir is one of five choral ensembles that continue
a long tradition of choral singing at Sprague High School. Comprised of 117
singers, the Concert Choir has performed at national, state, and regional conventions
of Music Educators National Conference and American Choral Directors
Association. Sprague choirs have toured the northwest, Canada, California,
Florida, and New York. In 2007, the choir placed first at the OSAAlACDA State
Choir Championships for the fifth consecutive year, and also won the "Best
in the Northwest choral festival” at the University of Portland for the eleventh
straight year. In 2000, the Sprague Music Department was chosen as the National
Grammy Signature School by the GRAMMY foundation.
Russell
Christensen is in his 16th
year as choral
director at Sprague. Mr. Christensen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music
Education from University of Oregon, and a Master of Arts in Music Education
from Western Oregon University. Mr. Christensen was named the "Oregon
Music Educator of the Year" for 2007 by the Oregon Music Educators
Association. In 2004, the Oregon Symphony Association in Salem recognized him
as "Music Educator of the Year". He was also the first recipient of
the Western Oregon University Alumni Excellence Award in Music. Mr. Christensen
is a certified choral adjudicator in Oregon and is a coconductor of the Oregon
Ambassadors of Music Choir. Mr. Christensen has been married to his wife Molly
for 24 years and they have two children - Sara (20) and Kevin (18).
Top of page
|
| |
|
| |
What People Said... |
| |
Top of page
|
| |
Eric Whitacre, Composer and Conductor
Published on his blog, March 25, 2009
A
week ago Sunday (March 15th, 2009) was my first performance with DCINY,
the company that I've partnered with for another June concert this year
in NYC and four concerts next year (including two in Carnegie Hall).
The performers and I had a BLAST, especially with the premiere of
"Animal Crackers (Volume II)"... In the end we got some great laughs
from a terrific audience, and we gave one of the best performances of
The Five Hebrew Love Songs I've ever been a part of - such musical
singing, and an outstanding string quartet...My deepest, deepest
thanks to DCINY!
Top of page
|
| |
Eric Griffin, Director of Bands
Olathe East High School
It
has been almost two weeks since we brought the Olathe East Symphonic
Winds to perform as part of the DCINY season. Since then, our students,
their parents, and our school staff have had the chance to reflect on
our experience, and I'd like to share some of our thoughts with you.
"It was not only a great trip but a jaw-dropping musical experience too..." -- Nicole, senior horn
"Meeting (Eric) Whitacre was something I will not forget..." - Brandon, senior saxophone
"What
made the trip worth it for me was the silence after Cloudburst and
Little White Lines at Avery Fisher Hall...Just those couple of moments
made me realize why I love music so much!" - Meghan, junior horn
"...after
this experience, I cannot just leave music behind...the trip really
showed me just how important it is in my life." - Kati, sophomore flute
It
would take me most of the rest of the day to continue sharing the rest
of the unsolicited comments I received from students on the trip. There
are more from parents, too!
In summary, while we prepared for
a premiere performance experience, but none of us -- including
directors -- expected such a profound impact to result from everything
you made possible. The confluence of the rehearsal facilities,
performance venue, the guest conductor/artist, and the professionalism
of the DCINY staff made for a truly unforgettable experience. The next
time we are considering options for travel, you'll hear from us!
Top of page
|
| |
Jennifer Benjamin, Artistic Director
Canta Filia
UMKC Conservatory of Music & Dance Community Music & Dance Academy
I want to thank you for your support of Canta Filia's performance in Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center on March 15, 2009. With your help, fourteen young singers engaged in a thoroughly enriching musical experience.
The absolute highlight of the trip was the opportunity to sing in a top-notch choir under the direction of Eric Whitacre. Mr. Whitacre was incredibly personable and generous with his time and talents. His positive outlook and passion for choral music was contagious. The singers had the opportunity to premiere his "Animal Crackers, Set II" and witness as he edited them during rehearsals. He asked for their input and the whole ensemble was proud to be part of the finished product. Overall, Eric's explanations and personal connection to the songs brought them to life for the singers. The concert for a full house in Avery Fisher Hall was equally rewarding for both the singers and the audience.
I am also confident that each singer [in my group] came away with a greater knowledge and appreciation of the choral art. One singer told Mr. Whitacre: " ... your passion for music has awakened in me a new love for choral music that I will carry with me for the rest of my life."
Top of page
|
|
