Thursday, Mar 17, 2011
Works by Bernstein, Whitacre and Sondheim.
by Anne Sears
The Westminster Conservatory Collegiate Chorale will perform works by Leonard Bernstein, Eric Whitacre and Stephen Sondheim on Saturday, March 26 at 8 p.m. in Gill Memorial Chapel on the campus of Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J. Admission is free.
The program will feature Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Eric Whitacre’s Five Hebrew Songs and several works by Stephen Sondheim. Several Chorale members will share conducting responsibilities for the performance.
The Westminster Conservatory Collegiate Chorale is a new choral ensemble composed of music education students at Westminster Choir College. It also includes talented singers from area high schools as part of the outreach program of Westminster Conservatory, Westminster's community music school. Frank Abrahams is the founder and artistic director of the choir, which provides opportunities for students to gain experience as conductors, choral singers and soloists in preparation for their future work as school music teachers and choir directors in churches, synagogues and the community.
Chichester Psalms was commissioned for the 1965 Southern Cathedrals' Festival at Chichester Cathedral in England. It has become a much admired contemporary choral work. Five Hebrew Love Songs is a collection of settings of Hebrew poetry by Hila Plitmann, the wife of Eric Whitacre, one of the most popular composers of choral music in the United States today.
To learn more call 609-921-2663.