Noteworthy: A Romantic Era Masterpiece by a Female Composer

Don Lee | Composing/Commissioning, Repertoire

While pursuing one of his favorite pastimes, conductor Mark Shapiro happened upon a groundbreaking piece from the Romantic era. Read more

Carrying on a Family Tradition of Carol Writing

Kelsey Menehan | Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, Families, General, History, Impact/Value, Participation, Performance, Profile, Repertoire

As a young girl, Abbie Betinis noticed that singing “Caroling, Caroling” during the holidays always brought tears to her grandpa’s eyes. Later she would learn that the famous carol was one of many composed by her great uncle Alfred Burt, who was carrying on a family tradition of carol writing begun by his father, the Rev. Bates Burt. In 2001, Betinis, by then a composer herself, decided to pick up the family carol writing tradition. Read more

Noteworthy: A "Nonsense" Poem Becomes A Full-Length Choral Work

Don Lee | Composing/Commissioning, Repertoire

Using text from beloved author Lewis Carroll, composer Maurice Saylor adapted a well known "nonsense" poem into a full-length choral work for Cantate Chamber Singers (Washington DC). Gisele Becker, music director of the Singers and director of choral activities at George Washington University, explains the process of collaborating on a new composition derived from this unlikely source.  Read more

Noteworthy: A Cantata from a Prolific Synagogue Composer

Don Lee | Composing/Commissioning, Repertoire

Max Janowski's Jewish liturgical works have become standard repertoire for many congregations. Jonathan Miller, founder and artistic director of Chicago a cappella, introduces us to a little-known Janowski cantata with a compelling message of peace. Read more

David Hamilton’s Music for Choir and Instrumental Ensemble

Chorus America Staff | Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, Performance, Rehearsal, Repertoire, Singing

Research Memorandum Series No. 202 This issue provides insight into the music of David Hamilton, prolific composer and music educator from New Zealand. Jennifer Morgan Flory gives us a complete listing of Hamilton's works for choir and intstrumental ensemble. Read more

Benjamin Britten Centenary Articles

Chorus America Staff | Composing/Commissioning, History, Impact/Value, Performance, Repertoire

In celebration of the Britten centennial in 2013, this issue of American Choral Review features two articles on the music of Benjamin Britten: distinguished scholar Alfred Whittall offers reflections on the composer’s choral writing, and co-authors Thomas Folan and Nancy S. Niemi explore issues of identity in Britten’s Cantata Academica. Read more

Choral-Orchestral Engagements: Common Practices

Chorus America Staff | Management/Leadership, Operations, Performance, Rehearsal

This practical resource for choruses provides guidance on collaborating successfully with orchestras, based on conversations with more than 30 artistic administrators. Originally published in 2004, the report was reviewed and republished in 2013. Read more

Renaissance and Baroque Performance Practice: Invaluable Resources for the Choral Conductor

Chorus America Staff | Conducting, Research/Data

Research Memorandum Series No. 200. A thorough and definitive compilation of resources in Renaissance and Baroque performance practice spanning, approximately, the past 70 years. This issue provides a broad yet in-depth overview of the manifold issues faced by choral conductors in preparing performances of music from these time periods. Read more

(Ch)oral Argument

San Francisco and Berkeley, California

Barbara Heroux | Composing/Commissioning

Volti premieres a major new cantata from Ted Hearne, a co-commission with The Crossing, along with new works from Melissa Dunphy and Kirke Mechem.  www.VoltiSF.org   Read more

Princeton Pro Musica in Concert: "Israel in Egypt"

Princeton, NJ

Princeton Pro Musica | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, General, Performance, Venue

  The PPM Chorus and Orchestra close the season in grand Baroque style with a performance of Handel’s colossal oratorio “Israel in Egypt” (1736), with double chorus, period-instrument orchestra and soloists. “Israel in Egypt” has endeared itself to skilled choirs with its use of vivid tone-painting and dynamic rhythms to evoke the plagues and other details, from jumping frogs to whirring flies, pounding hail and swelling waves. Rounding out the program is Handel’s Concerto Grosso in G Major for orchestra and instrumental soloists. Read more

Bluegrass and Gray: Sounds of the Americana with Dailey & Vincent

881 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019

iris@DCINY.org | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Children/Youth, Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, Diversity, Education, Families, General, Schools, Singing, Social Media, Venue

Grammy-Award Nominated Bluegrass band Dailey & Vincent join forces with DCINY to celebrate the American tradition of country-style Bluegrass music with an electrifying blend of gospel and folk in Carol Barnett’s, “World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass.” John Purifoy’s “Chronicles of Blue and Gray” spans the Civil War in three thrilling movements of choral delight. The concert will be performed by Distinguished Concerts Singers International, a choir of 200 voices and the Distinguished Concerts Orchestra. Tickets on Sale Now. $20-$100. Call CarnegieCharge at 212.247.7800 or visit CarnegieHall.org       Read more

AN EVENING WITH JOSEPH FLUMMERFELT & THE MCE

184 E. 76th St, New York, NY

Manhattan Chora... | Performance

The Manhattan Choral Ensemble welcomes Joseph Flummerfelt to the podium in an evening of favorites from the Maestro’s 30-year conducting career. Chorus Master to the New York Philharmonic, former Artistic Director of Westminster Choir College, and Musical America’s 2004 Conductor of the Year, Dr. Flummerfelt has selected a program of works by Mendelssohn, Brahms, Rachmaninoff, and Stravinsky, with a closing set of his own arrangements of beloved folk songs.     Tickets: $30 Premium Reserved, $20 General, $15 Senior/Student Read more