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Choral Ensembles at the University of Akron
University Singers
Dr. Ann Usher, director
2:15pm - 3:05pm Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Undergraduate: 7510:121:001
Graduate: 7510:621:001
The University Singers is a mixed chorus consisting of music majors and non-music majors that performs at least two concerts throughout the academic year. The group is open to anyone interested improving their skills as a singer/musician and wanting to perform some of the best choral literature.
Concert Choir
Dr. Samuel Gordon, director
2:15pm - 3:05pm Monday through Thursday
Undergraduate: 7510:120:001
Graduate: 7510:620:001
The ensemble consists primarily of music majors but singers from other disciplines are also members. Dr. Samuel Gordon became director of the choir in 1998. Since then the choir has sung three European concert tours. They have sung concerts at the Spoleto Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy, Corofest Umbria (Assisi, Italy), The Assisi Music Festival, The Gubbio International Festival, Jubilee 2000, Cantus Salzburgensis (part of the 250th Mozart Birthday Celebration in Salzburg, Austria), the International Choir and Orchestra Festival in Salzburg, the 45th C.A. Seghizzi International Choral Festival, as well as several other European choral festivals. In July, 2006, the ensemble sang Mozart’s Coronation Mass at the Salzburg Cathedral with the Dom Orchestra. During that tour they performed at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, the Pilgrim Church (wedding scene in The Sound of Music), the Michelskirche in Linz, Austria and at the 4th century Basilica in Aquileia, Italy. Critics in Rome, Venice, Florence and Bern (Switzerland) have praised their work. The Berner Oberländer wrote, “the sparkling choir was a wonderful reminder of the genius of American choral music.” And in Venice’s Corriere della sera, one critic praised the ensemble as “a choir that can sing on the finest stages anywhere.” The choir has sung at Severance Hall in Cleveland and has performed with the Akron and Canton Symphony Orchestras. In 2006, the choir presented a concert at the Ohio Music Educator’s North Coast Conference in Cleveland, was invited to appear at the Bela Bartok Choral Festival in Debrecen, Hungary, and were featured performers for the Restoration and Rededication Festival Weekend for the architecturally renowned First Congregational Church of Akron. The choir has sung the American premieres of several of Dr. Gordon’s choral works as well as works by Joanna Garbasz (finalist for the Gorizia International Choral Composition Competition), Roger Zahab, and Linda Rice Beck. The 2007-08 season will find the singers performing with the National Gallery of Art Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C where they will sing an all-Mendelssohn program. The ensemble sings many concerts throughout the northeast Ohio region and is available for workshops and concerts.
Chamber Choir
Dr. Samuel Gordon, director
1:10pm - 2:00pm Mondays and Wednesdays
Undergraduate: 7510:121:002
Graduate: 7510:621:002
The Chamber Choir usually consists of 24-30 singers. The ensemble made its debut in 1998 when the university initiated a new graduate program in choral conducting. The ensemble sang its first European concert tour of Italy and Switzerland in 2002. They sang at the Spoleto Festival of Two Worlds as part of the Ora Mistico series, and also sang a special performance at the Vatican Basilica Maria Maggiore in Rome. The ensemble has premiered several new choral works by their director, Samuel Gordon, and most recently sang the first American performances of Gorgée by Paulo la Rosa (winner of the Gorizia International Choral Composition Competition) and Ben Williams’ Dreams of Lost Hope. In February of 2005, the ensemble sang for the Queen City Ohio Music Educator’s Conference. This past season the singers sang on the concert series of The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Cleveland. The choir has been invited to sing in Puerto Rico, The National Gallery of Art, and on the Five at Five Concert Series at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Akron during the 2006-07 concert season.
Akron Voices
Dr. Samuel Gordon, director
Meeting Time TBA
“Voices” is an ensemble of fewer than 20 singers that specializes in vocal music for small ensembles. Singers either perform as a small choir or as even smaller ensembles of singers who collaborate with instrumentalists in order for young singers to experience the joy of vocal chamber music. Last season, the ensemble presented a collaborative program with instrumentalists that featured works by Latin American colonial composers. They often premiere student and faculty choral compositions.
University of Akron Men's Chorus
Anthony Bianchi, director
1:00pm - 3:00pm Fridays
The University of Akron Men's Chorus began in Fall 2007 and performs the finest in men's chorus literature. An excellent introduction to the choral program for the inexperienced male singer as well as a fine artistic opportunity for the experienced ones.
A Cappella Nuance
The male ensemble, A Cappella Nuance, is directed by students at The University of Akron. The faculty coach-advisor is Dr. Samuel Gordon. There are usually 6-10 men in the ensemble. A Cappella Nuance was founded in 2004 by a group of students and, since that time, they have been in great demand to perform for special functions at the university and throughout northeast Ohio. The ensemble specializes in popular music from the 1950’s to the present time. Several of the singers are able to arrange their own music and they sing in a wide variety of popular genres. The ensemble won the first prize (Jury Prize) at the 45th C. A. Seghizzi International Choral Competition in July, 2006.
Visit the A Cappella Nuance Homepage!
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