News and Notices

Press Release to the Choral World: North Carolina Governor’s School East Haiti School Service Project

submitted by Paul Carey

 

The 32 gifted choral students at the North Carolina Governor’s School East ( www.ncgse.org  ) led by composer/conductor Paul Carey and the French class of NC Governor’s School East directed by Lesley Curtis are raising funds to help a school in Haiti called Korebel which is in dire need of help. Their building was destroyed in the January earthquake and they are hoping that the NC Governor’s School East choral music and French students can donate school supplies for their 200 students (pictures of the Korebel students, the ruins of the school, and efforts to keep teaching the children amidst the runs can be viewed by clicking here:www.korebel.org/media ).
 

This summer the choral classes of NC Governor’s School East have been singing Haitian folk music from Ethan Sperry’s world music series at earthsongs and the French classes have been studying Haitian Creole. This project is an attempt to make the students exposure to Haitian culture also reap benefits for the people of this Haitian school in a very tangible way

When the NC Governor’s School is able to raise donations to purchase the school supplies needed they will also write personal notes to the people at the school, and also record their performance of Haitian music and place CDs in the packages as well.

Here is how you can help this project by making a donation (hopefully a bit before we finish the session July 24th): donation checks should be written to “NC Governor’s School East” and put “Haiti school supplies” on the memo line.

Mail your contribution ASAP (any size appreciated) to:

Dr. Michael McElreath
NC Governor’s School East
3800 Hillsborough Av
Raleigh, NC
27607

 

For a more in depth discussion of this project visit www.paulcarey440.blogspot.com

Omaha, NE — The Nebraska Choral Arts Society, umbrella organization of the Nebraska Children’s Chorus, Masterworks Adult Chorus and Choral Arts Society Teens, is closing its doors after more than 30 years of distinguished music-making. 

 

Read more here:  http://choirmusic.org/ 

June 29, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     On Sunday, June 27 the Board of Directors of The Orlando Chorale, Inc. voted to cease operations and dissolve the corporation for this community-based performing arts organization.   The Orlando Chorale was founded on May 7, 2002, by Gregory Ruffer, Music Director, and John E. Perkins, Executive Director. The Chorale presented eight seasons of performances in the Central Florida region and comprised more than 250 singers during this time.  

 

The closure of The Chorale followed the resignations of its founders, offered at the same Board meeting. Gregory Ruffer is relocating to Tampa at the end of this summer where his partner and founding Chorale Board Chair, Peter Stark, will become the Director of the Dance Division of the Patel Conservatory. Ruffer continues as the Associate Professor of Vocal Music at the College of Central Florida in Ocala. John Perkins noted that personal matters requiring his attention have made it impossible to continue in his role with The Chorale. Both will continue in their positions until all activities related to the closure are complete.   Ruffer commented: “I cannot begin to say how much joy every singer who has ever been a part of TOC has given to my life. We have created beautiful music that has lived in my heart and have shared our lives in ways that has made each singer very dear to me. Leaving this incredible organization is a very difficult transition for me to make.”   “The Orlando Chorale has certainly made the Central Florida area a more artistically vibrant place these last eight years. Even though we are sad to bring this to a close, we are pleased to do so knowing that our organization was artistically strong and fiscally sound. I feel very honored to have contributed so much to our local arts community,” stated John Perkins.  

 

Performances of The Chorale followed closely to its founding mission: “The Orlando Chorale is an auditioned, community chorus dedicated to the quality presentation of outstanding new and classic choral repertoire. The Chorale endeavors to enrich the Central Florida community through music performances, educational outreach, and interdisciplinary collaborations with local, state and national arts organizations.”  

Some highlights of the ensemble’s eight seasons include:

The San Clemente Choral Society has appointed composer and conductor Stephen Sturk as its new artistic director.

 

Sturk also is the director of music at St. Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church in Temecula and composer in residence at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in San Diego. He also is co-founder and director of Cappella Gloriana, San Diego’s professional chamber choir. In 2008, Sturk’s alma mater, North Central College in Illinois, awarded him its Fine Arts Medal. He also holds master’s degrees from San Diego State and North Dakota State universities.