By John Von Rhein CHICAGO — Of the two surviving settings of the Passion text by J.S. Bach, the “St. John Passion” is the most controversial. Many people to this day are unable to listen to the piece, much less perform it, because of its repeated references to “the Jews” clamoring for Jesus’ death, references […]
News and Notices
Choir brings new sound to music department
By Braulio A. Tellez MESQUITE, TX — The college’s choir has been belting out some unique songs and earning lots of praise this semester with the help of new director Melinda Imthurn. The songs Imthurn’s students sing are not typical of a chorus. One of her favorite things to do is challenge students with songs that require more […]
Only 2 Days Left for the Best Choral Deals of the Year
Chorus America’s online auction closes at 11pm this Thursday, April 5 – in just two days! Log on to http://www.biddingforgood.com/chorusamerica to view and bid on workshops (with Rollo Dilworth and Paul Caldwell), private recording sessions, concert tickets (Chicago Symphony, VocalEssence and more), vacations, one-of-a-kind CD collections, and gift certificates from major publishers and music […]
Composer hits right note for Corbridge church choir
By Tom Rowley CORBRIDGE, UK — HE has been hailed as a hero of choral music and his work normally echoes around such prestigious venues as Oxford’s Sheldonian theatre or Salisbury Cathedral. Bob Chilcott’s 125 compositions have been sung in dozens of countries from America to Australia. But the first performance of his latest work […]
Masterclass in Motion: The Making of a Choral-Orchestral Conductor
by Matthew Sigman NEW YORK — Early- and mid-career learning for choral conductors is hard to find and requires a public process that demands courage and stamina. “Mirrors and videos never lie,” says Chris Nemec, one of 16 Conducting Fellows who gathered in New York City in January to enhance their skills at Chorus America’s […]
Choir Skypes with renowned composer
LEWISVILLE, TX — When Lewisville High School’s (LHS) director of choral activities, Steve DeCrow, asked one of America’s most popular and influential composers, Dr. Z. Randall Stroope, to visit with his students via Skype, he never dreamed the answer would be yes. “I don’t know him at all so it was a shot in the dark,” […]