Weekly Update - Cleveland Chapter

American Guild of Organists

December 12, 2013

From the Dean

Fern Jennings

What could be better than a concert by an English choir at Christmas time? A Cambridge choir at that. This Saturday Fairmount Presbyterian Church is hosting the choir of Clare College, Cambridge for a concert at 7:30 PM. Cleveland is on the choir's U.S. tour because Clevelander Gabriella Haigh is in the choir. This choir, a mixed choir with female sopranos and altos will perform music from their Christmas CD, Veni Emmanuel: Music for Advent. You can read a preview of the concert and interview with the Director, Graham Ross, in this week's Cleveland Classical. The interview provides a fascinating insider's view of the English choir scene, especially the tradition of Evensong in Cambridge. There is also a review of the choir's CD.

Our chapter's contribution to the concert is a monetary contribution to the reception to be held afterward. If you attend, please plan to give generously to the free-will plate offering. If we value the appearance of excellent choral groups in our city we must be prepared to offer financial support as well as our presence. I am looking forward to this concert and hope to see you there.

Best to you,

Fern

UPCOMING CHAPTER PROGRAM

Christmas Choral Concert - Clare College Choir, Cambridge
Saturday, December 14, 7:30 pm
Fairmount Presbyterian Church
2757 Fairmount Blvd. Cleveland Heights

Clare College Choir

Veni Emmanuel

The Choir of Clare College

Cambridge University

Graham Ross, Conductor

Free Admission.

Cleveland Chapter AGO is sponsoring the reception to be held following the concert.

The complete program listing can be found here. Works by Byrd, Howells, Sheppard, Poston, Britten, Bach, Tavener and others. The new Clare College Choir album upon which this concert is based can be downloaded from iTunes.

The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge University: Biography

Since the founding of a mixed voice choir in 1971, the Choir of Clare College has gained an international reputation as one of the leading choral groups in the world. In addition to its primary function of leading services three times a week in the College chapel, the choir keeps an active schedule recording, broadcasting, and performing throughout the UK and the world. The choir has been fortunate to have had four very fine directors: Peter Dennison, John Rutter, Timothy Brown and, since 2010, Graham Ross. In addition to live performances, the choir has produced an impressive catalogue of recordings.

Recent releases on the Harmonia Mundi label include VeniEmmanuel: Music for Advent which was released in September 2013 and Imogen Holst's Choral Works which has been hailed by Gramophone as 'thrilling ... A tribute to the superb ensemble singing of the Choir of Clare College under Graham Ross. The CD has been awarded the coveted Diapson d'Or Découverte and was shortlisted for a 2013 Gramophone Classical Music Award.

Graham Ross, Music Director

Graham Ross

Graham Ross is Director of Music and Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge and Principal Conductor of The Dmitri Ensemble. The composer and conductor of a very broad range of repertoire, he has had works performed throughout Europe and beyond. A passionate believer in the unveiling of both unjustly-neglected and newly-written works, he has given numerous first performances as both a pianist and conductor of a very broad spectrum of composers.

COOKIES NEEDED

Our AGO chapter is joining Fairmount Presbyterian Church in sponsoring the reception for the Clare choir and audience immediately following the program. Traditionally, college students have great appetites! If you can assist by providing cookies, either homemade or from your favorite store, please email Bob Moncrief - rmoncrief@fairmountchurch.org

NEXT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

Monday, February 3, 2014, 7:30 pm, Place TBD

TODAY IN CLASSICAL MUSIC HISTORY

On this date in 1937, English organist, director and composer, Phillip Ledger was born. Best known as the Director of Music at King's College from 1974-1982 he subsequently was the Principal of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music. He was a longtime musical collaborator with Benjamin Britten. As Director of the King's College Choir he composed many arrangements for the choir to sing at the Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols Service. Here is a link to Boris Ord's well-known "Adam Lay Ybounden", sung by the King's College Choir. Ledger died on November 18, 2012.

Adam Lay Ybounden (King's College Choir, Cambridge)

Concerts and Events of Interest

Remember to send us your concert listings for our Google calendar and weekly updates. Send them to newsletter@agocleveland.org. Some of our concert listings have been gleaned from ClevelandClassical. For a complete list of concerts plus previews, reviews and more from Cleveland's classical music scene click the link www.clevelandclassical.com.

Karel Paukert, organ, Sandra Simon, soprano & John Rautenberg, baroque & modern flutes. Sunday, December 15, 3 pm. Works by J.S. Bach, Norbert Rosseau, John Corigliano, Eugene Bozza, Jean Langlais, Jehan Alain, Charles-Marie Widor & Greg D'Alessio. Gesu Catholic Church, 2470 Miramar Blvd., University Heights. Freewill offering.

River Valley Ringers. Sunday, December 15, 3 pm. Elizabeth Lucas, conducting. Holiday music for handbells. Reception following. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 3740 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Hts. Freewill offering.

Winter Concert for Chorus, Brass & Organ, Sunday, December 15, 2013, 3 pm Directed by Dr J.D. Goddard, with accompanist Patrick Wickliffe, the Chagrin Valley Choral Union will perform its annual winter concert to include works by Palestrina, Holst, Mozart, and Tye. Featured will be the Magnificat by Pachelbel (1690 - 1750). Ss Cosmas and Damian Church, 10419 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg.

A Ceremony of Lessons and Carols, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, 3:30 p.m The program features 9 scripture readings of salvation with hymnody or choral of Advent/Christmas in nature. This presentation will feature the 65 voice Parish Choir, Handbell Choir, Gregorian Schola, and Praise and Worship Ensemble. Some selections will be: Gaudete (anonymous); O Nata Lux and O Magnum Mysterium by Lauridsten, The Kings by Cornelius. St. Sebastian Parish, 476 Mull Ave., Akron.

The Annual Messiah-Sing, Wednesday, December 18, 12:10 pm. Trinity Chamber Orchestra, soloists, and YOU in the massed choir! Todd Wilson, conductor. Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Ave.

Quire Cleveland, Friday, December 20 & Saturday December 21, 7:30 pm and Sunday, December 22, 3pm. Carols for Quire from the Old and New Worlds (now in its fourth year) celebrates the season with beautiful and inspiring music from yesterday and today, Ross W. Duffin, Director. Trinity Cathedral 2230 Euclid Ave, Cleveland.

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Gerry Mass, our Cleveland Chapter Placement Officer collects and updates job openings in the area. Although they are not listed in the weekly updates, there is a link in the "Quick Links" section every week that will take you to the updated list on the chapter website. Questions or need help finding a position? Email: placement@agocleveland.org

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American Guild of Organists Cleveland Chapter
21600 Shaker Blvd
Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122
216-751-2320

About Us

The purpose of the American Guild of Organists is to promote the organ in its historic and evolving roles, to encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music, and to provide a forum for mutual support, inspiration, education, and certification of Guild members.