Westminster Williamson Voices Will Present Inaugural Concert at The Philadelphia Cathedral November 14.

Entitled Journey, the concert will take the audience on two journeys: a sonic journey exploring the relationship between the music and the performance space, and a spiritual journey employing the primal elements of music that reflect the most profound elements of human expression.  In conjunction with the performance, artists with the Philadelphia-based organization Journey Home, will exhibit their work.

The program will include two world premieres: Tears into Dust by Robert Moran and Haru sareba hikoe moitsutsa (When spring is born at last) by Jackson Hill.  Tears into Dust is based on a poem by the 8^th century Japanese poet Chen Tzu-ang.   Haru sareba hikoe moitsutsa is the setting of an 8^th-century poem that uses several Japanese stylistic devices.

The ensemble will also perform a new edition of Johannes Brahms’ Geistliches Lied, Op. 30 created by James Jordan; Sarah Hopkins’ Past Life Melodies; Eric Whitacre’s Sleep; Gloria Patri: 24 Hymns for Mixed Choir - XXIII: Oremus by Urmas Sisask; and Robert Moran’s Stimmen des letzen Siegels.  Accompanists will be Marilyn Shenenberger, piano, and Robert Ridgell, organ.

Composed of students at Westminster Choir College of Rider University, the Westminster Williamson Voices is a select ensemble of 35 singers whose mission combines choral performance with educational outreach, artistic collaborations and partnering with other art forms.  Emphasizing world music and the music of our time, it is named for Westminster’s founder, John Finley Williamson, who believed that choral music performed at the highest level should be accessible to all so that it might communicate the human essence that is at the heart of choral singing.

The repertoire and performances of the ensemble cover a broad spectrum, with special emphasis upon music commissioned for the choir. Artistic collaborations with other art forms-- dance, theater, and the visual arts--are at the core of the performances of this ensemble.  The Westminster Williamson Voices serves as a living choral laboratory.  Its primary musical mission is to explore new methods of teaching and rehearsing and to be at the forefront of choral education pedagogy.  The teaching and learning of literature for performance utilize contemporary ensemble methods involving groundbreaking Aural Immersion Solfege™ and movement pedagogy emphasizing both the philosophies of Dalcroze and Laban.. The ensemble also explores new avenues for the art of choral accompanying.  The accompanist for the Westminster Williamson Voices assumes a new role, becoming the keystone for aural training for the choir.   Consequently, its members gain valuable pedagogical tools to use in their life’s work as teachers and professional choral singers. The choir, in addition to being an artistic performing ensemble, is available to serve as an ensemble-in-residence in schools, churches, universities and professional conferences throughout the United States.

James Jordan is recognized as one of the nation’s pre-eminent conductors, writers and innovators in choral music. He has been called a “visionary” by The Choral Journal. His career and publications have been devoted to innovative educational changes in the choral art.  A master teacher, Dr. Jordan’s pioneering writing and research concerning the use of Laban Movement Analysis for the teaching of conducting and movement to children has dramatically changed teaching in both of these disciplines.

One of the country’s most prolific writers on the subjects of the philosophy of music making and choral teaching, he has produced 10 major textbooks and several choral series bearing his name as well as contributing to four other textbooks.  In 2004, four new books authored by him will be published: The Use of the Swiss Ball for the Teaching of Conducting, Eartraining Aural Immersion Exercises for Choirs, The Choral Ensemble Warm-Up and The Musician’s Walk.  His books on the subject of vocal technique for choirs are considered an essential for the education of conductors around the world.  His choral conducting book, Evoking Sound, was named as a “must read” on a list of six books by The Choral Journal.  His newest book, Ear Training Immersion Exercises for Choirs details the first comprehensive approach toward aural literacy for choirs using solfege and a unique system of score analysis that focuses upon what is aurally perceived by the choir.  His books, The Musician’s Soul and The Musician’s Spirit, acclaimed by both instrumental and choral conductors alike, have been credited with beginning a transformation on how music is taught both in ensembles and the classroom through a process of humanizing and loving. 

Dr. Jordan also serves as executive editor of the Evoking Sound Choral Series published by GIA Publications in Chicago. Dr. Jordan teaches and conducts at Westminster Choir College of Rider University.

Tickets for this performance are $15 for adults and $10 for students/seniors.  They will be available at the door or can be reserved through Westminster’s box office at 609-921-2663.  The Philadelphia Cathedral is located at 3723 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia.