The American Music Research Center is pleased to be a part of the George Lynn Centenary Celebration.
Join us by being one of the 100 different groups and soloists performing compositions by George Lynn during 2015. We would like to see church choirs, children’s choirs, community choirs, as well as college and professional soloists and ensembles represented ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. Ten groups or individuals are being sought to perform original, unpublished works during 2015. Limited financial assistance may be available for all those who premiere a work depending on the costs involved in presenting the performance. (The ChoralNet website wanted me to choose a state, so I said Colorado.)
George Lynn (1915-1989) was known as a choral conductor, composer, organist and teacher. The youngest of eight children born to music-loving Swedish immigrants in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, he was surrounded by folk songs at home and the Bach chorales familiar in the Swedish Lutheran Church from his earliest years. His interest in sacred choral music led him to Westminster Choir College where he studied conducting with John Finley Williamson, organ with Carl Weinrich and composition with Roy Harris. He received a Master of Fine Arts degree with a major in composition from Princeton University under the tutelage of Randall Thompson. His orchestral works were performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Denver Symphony Orchestra and the American Symphony Orchestra, among others.
During his lifetime he published over 200 anthems, including original compositions, editions and arrangements. His unpublished works include pieces for musicians of all ages and abilities, and ensembles of many types and sizes. In his Centenary year, we encourage you to discover this music and find out why George Lynn had such an impact on his students and his choirs. Explore the complete George Lynn archive listing at https://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/amrc/collection/lynnguide.pdf. OR look in your church or school choir library and see if there are original works, editions or arrangements already there.
The George Lynn web page on the AMRC website will serve to help organize the performances and as a resource for obtaining, viewing and listening to George Lynn’s music and interviews. For more information please contact Eric Hansen at 303-735-3645.
Groups who have already signed on to be a part of the challenge include: Ars Nova Singers, ASTER Women’s Chamber Choir, Chamber Ensemble con Grazia, the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter, and St. Martin’s Chamber Choir.
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