News and Notices

George Shangrow, Seattle conductor, killed in car crash

August 2, 2010 by Allen H Simon Leave a Comment

WINTHROP, Wash. A man killed in a collision on Highway 20 near Winthrop has been identified as Seattle musical director and conductor George Shangrow.

The Wenatchee World reports he was on his way Saturday to deliver a lecture at the Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival when his car collided with a car driven by a 16-year-old. The teen suffered a broken collarbone and ankle in the accident.

The 59-year-old Shangrow was founder of the Seattle Chamber Singers and Orchestra Seattle. He appeared as a guest conductor with orchestras and hosted the “Live, by George” Seattle radio show that featured live classical performances.

Music and Technology in the Classrooom

July 31, 2010 by Laurin Daniels Leave a Comment

Hi,

My name is Laurin Daniels and I am a senior Music Education major at Appalachian State University. I am currently involved in a research project with a faculty member seeking answers to how to teach the upcoming students in 2010, 2015, 2020 and beyond. We are researching generational gaps, new technologies, changing learning styles etc. We at the Hayes School of Music would love your input on your teaching styles, technology use, and your observations of today’s and tomorrow’s students. If you’ve got a few minutes and don’t mind responding to a survey (about 10 minutes), your feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Please follow the below link

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=8evlUP4Go9Ca2yMw_2bGvrfg_3d_3d

Thank you so much,

Laurin Daniels

13th-century chant newly discovered

July 30, 2010 by Allen H Simon Leave a Comment

An important article has been published, announcing the discovery of the famousStabat Mater used as a sequence in the Gradual produced by a convent of Dominican nuns in Bologna in the later thirteenth century. This is by far the earliest known example of this hymn used as a sequence rather than as a devotional hymn.

Donald Nally to resign from Lyric Opera of Chicago

July 27, 2010 by Allen H Simon Leave a Comment

By now, nobody in Philadelphia should be surprised that conductor Donald Nally is making a hard-to-explain departure: Lyric Opera of Chicago is expected to announce this week that chorus master Nally is leaving at the end of the 2010-11 season to spend more time with his Philadelphia choir, The Crossing.

What wasn’t said: He’s leaving one of the top positions of its kind (Chicago’s previous chorus master is now at the Metropolitan Opera) – with uncertain financial prospects.

Wavelyn Hine hired as Artistic Director of Berkshire

July 26, 2010 by Allen H Simon Leave a Comment

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Concert Choir has appointed Wavelyn Hine as artistic director for the 2010-2011 season, following the retirement of John E. Cheney, who has served in the post for 14 years.

Hine has been a soloist with choir and other local choral groups as well as a regular vocalist at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Pittsfield. She teaches voice and piano in her home and taught voice at the former Pittsfield Community Music School.

Cloistered nuns sign Gregorian chant recording contract

July 26, 2010 by Allen H Simon Leave a Comment

A group of Benedictine nuns who live in complete seclusion in the South of France are set to become divas of pop after signing a deal with Universal Music, the leading record company behind Lady Gaga and Amy Winehouse.

After a worldwide search for the finest exponents of the art of the Gregorian chant, the Nuns of the Abbaye de Notre-Dame de L’Annonciation have signed a deal with Universal’s Decca Records label. The enclosed order still communicates with outsiders through a grille to avoid intrusion into a life of religious devotion. As a result, the nuns in the abbey will have to photograph their own album cover, as well as provide the footage for their television advertisements.