Fast on the heals of a successful 2009-2010 season culminating with a June concert in Chicago under the direction of John Rutter, St. Charles Singers are preparing to hear some new voices. 2010-2011 will bring 4 concerts to the Chicagoland area including the next two concerts in the Mozart Journey. For more information or to sign up for an audition please visit www.stcharlessingers.com.
News and Notices
NEW WORLD SINGERS win The American Prize
The American Prize is pleased to announce that the NEW WORLD SINGERS, of Columbus, OH, Sandra Mathias, music director, is the 2010 winner of The American Prize in Choral Performance (youth choir division.) Congratulations.
The Rhode Island Children’s Chorus Chamber Choir placed second.
The Salem Youth Chorus of Salem, OH, placed third.
The American Prize judging panel commented on selections by the New World Singers: “most impressed with the choir’s intonation…with the uniformity of tone quality…diction is very clear…exceptional repertoire.”
The New World Singers is the top ensemble of the Columbus and Central Ohio Children’s Chorus Foundation, formed as a non-profit foundation in 1995. The choir has toured in the U.S., Russia, Eastern Europe, and Canada. They have performed with the National Repertory Orchestra, Chautauqua Symphony, and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. In 2007 they were selected to perform at the national conferences of the American Choral Directors’ Association and the Organization of American Koda?ly Educators. www.columbuschildrenschoir.org
Congratulations to the New World Singers, the Rhode Island Children’s Chorus Chamber Choir and the Salem Youth Chorus for their outstanding achievement, ranked among the finest youth choirs in the country.
David Katz, chief judge
The American Prize
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ROOMFUL OF TEETH wins THE AMERICAN PRIZE
The American Prize is pleased to announce that ROOMFUL OF TEETH, of Williamstown, MA, Brad Wells, founder and director, is the 2010 winner of The American Prize in Choral Performance (professional division). Congratulations.
VOX: The Rob Seible Singers, of Houston, Texas, placed second.
In making their decision, the judging panel commented that ROOMFUL OF TEETH exhibited “accurate pitch/intonation…with seamless transitions…really unique…stunning.”
Roomful of Teeth is an eight-voice vocal ensemble that embraces the full spectrum of vocal practices and, through an on-going commissioning project, develops new compositions using the fullest possible range of vocal techniques. Launched in 2009, the ensemble of young, classically-trained singers studies with international experts in vocal techniques ranging from Tuvan throat singing to yodeling. The ensemble commissions composers to write music utilizing their ever-expanding palette of vocal colors.
Congratulations to both ROOMFUL OF TEETH and the VOX: The Rob Seible Singers, for their outstanding achievement, ranked among the finest professional choruses in the country.
Bravo.
David Katz, chief judge
The American Prize
Baha’i choir gives first performance in India
The Voices of Baha staged their first performance in Russia in 1993 under the guidance of Tom Price, its conductor. Over the past 17 years, the international choir has performed in 35 countries, this being its first performance in India. “This is the first time that we have half the songs in Hindi and the rest in English and Persian. And the orchestra band consists of all Indian musicians,” says Price.
The Voices of Baha, performing June 18 in Mumbai, will also perform in Lucknow and New Delhi.
“It is the power of music that brings everyone together. Music touches everyone’s heart. The two things that they have in common are their faith and music,” says African-American solo Gospel singer, Van Gilmer.
B.C. Choral Federation awards go to Donnelly and Booker
Denis Donnelly, who directed the Victoria Conservatory of Music for 15 years and now heads Soundings choir, has received the Herbert Drost Award for distinguished service and support of choral music throughout B.C.
The Scottish-born musician, who studied at the University of Victoria, not only sings but also plays guitar, Irish harp, Renaissance lute and piano, and co-directs (with Shivon Robinsong) the Gettin' Higher Choir.
Tony Booker may look relaxed with his long flowing ponytail, but he's anything but casual when it comes to his commitment to musical excellence. He received the Herbert Kent Award for long-term participation in choral singing and "outstanding commitment and responsibility to choral music."More research correlating music study with academic success
Researcher Barbara Helmrich of Baltimore’s College of Notre Dame examined a sample of 6,026 ninth-graders enrolled in six Maryland school districts. All had completed an introductory algebra course in either eighth or ninth grade and taken the HSA, a test that assesses how well they learned the subject.
Helmrich divided the students into three groups: Those who had received formal instruction on a musical instrument during the sixth, seventh and eighth grades; those who received choral instruction during those same years; and those who received no formal musical training.
She found the students who studied music significantly outperformed their peers. “Formal instrumental instruction impacted algebra scores the most,” she reports. “Choral instruction also affected scores, but to a lesser extent.”