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Western Wind Vocal Ensemble to Present
Concerts and Workshops in Ensemble Singing at Smith College
Session I: June
25-June 27 (Weekend); June 28 -July 3 (5-Day); June 25-July
3 (8-day)
Session II: July 30-August 1 (Weekend); August 2-August
7(5-day); July 30-August 7 (8-day)
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. -- The Western
Wind and Vocal Ensemble will present two
sessions of workshops in ensemble singing at Smith College
this summer. Drawing participants
from as far away as Japan and Australia, these workshops
are opportunities for singers
at all levels to sharpen their skills in vocal production,
rhythm, intonation, balance,
diction, ensemble sensitivity and projection of text.
"A Cappella Through The Ages" is
the theme as participants sing
an intriguing selection of music from a diverse repertoire
-- medieval, Renaissance, baroque,
early American; 19th- and 20th-century part-songs, rounds,
hymns and folk songs; jazz, pop,
doo-wop and improvisation. Singers also learn vocal style,
performance practice and ensemble
techniques that enhance the interpretation of this rich
and diverse vocal music repertoire.
The workshops are open to all levels -- professionals and
amateurs, soloists and ensemble
performers, conductors and music teachers.
A special program
for children, ages 9 to 14, will also be offered, both
weekends. The children's' program will be under the direction
of Mollie Stone for the first
session. Ms. Stone was formerly the associate conductor
of the Hampshire Choral Society's
Young People's Chorus. She is currently working on a masters
in conducting at Westminster
choir College. K.C. Conlan will direct the second session.
Ms. Conlan is the elementary
music specialist at The Common school in Amherst and director
of the Hampshire Choral Society
Young People's Chorus.
Joining the Western Wind singers
on the faculty is Robert Eisenstein, viola da gamba, and
director of the Five Colleges Early Music Program, harpsichordist
Dongsok Shin, Lutenist Grant
Herreid (session II only), and vocal jazz specialist, Yumiko
Matsuoka.
Each workshop period begins
with a faculty concert, each of which is open
to the public. Ticket prices are $8 general admission and
$5 students. Tickets are available
at the door.
Session I Concerts:
June 25 at 8 p.m.
June 28 at 8 at p.m.
Session II Concerts:
July 30 at 8 p.m.
August 2 at 8 p.m.
The concerts will take place
in Sweeney Concert Hall, Sage Hall. The music, drawn from
the Western Wind's wide-ranging exploration
of music from the 14th century, the Renaissance,
early and contemporary America,
and pop and jazz, The programs feature new music written
for the Western Wind by Phillip
Glass, Tania Leon, Bobby McFerrin, Robert Dennis, Gayla
Morgan and Elliot Z. Levine (the
last two are members of the Western Wind); early Baroque
works by Rossi and Praetorius,
arrangements of songs by Bizet and Saint-Saens, pop and
jazz songs by Brian Wilson (In
My Room), Lionel Bart (Where is Love), and Carole King
(It's Too Late) and selections from the
Western Wind's Judaica repertoire.
Also featured on the
programs will be the instrumental faculty, Robert Eisenstein,
viola da gamba, and Dongsok Shin, harpsichord, as
well as vocal jazz specialist,
Yumiko Matsuoka.
For further information, contact
The Western Wind by e-mail info@westernwind.org, or phone
212-873-2848 or 800-788-2187, or write to The Western Wind,
263 West 86th Street, NY, NY 10024. Alternatively, you may
contact William Zukof, 212/873-2848, zukof@westernwind.org.
About
The Western Wind
The Western Wind is dedicated to
the art of vocal ensemble singing.
Since 1969, it has played a significant role in
presenting music from the middle
ages, Renaissance, early Baroque, early American, and Jazz
eras. The ensemble continues to enlarge its repertoire
by commissioning innovative
works from living composers across cultural and ethnic
boundaries. The Western Wind accomplishes its purpose
through concerts in the U.S.
and abroad, workshops in ensemble singing, specially
funded programs in New York
City public schools, workshops for participants at all
levels of ability, recordings, and publications
of The Western Wind repertoire.
The Western Wind singers are Kristina Boerger and Gayla
Morgan, sopranos; William Zukof,
countertenor; Todd Frizzell and Richard Slade, tenors;
and Elliott Z. Levine, baritone.
For more information, please visit www.westernwind.org.
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Office of College
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Northampton, Massachusetts 01063 |
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Marti
Hobbes
News Assistant
T (413) 585-2190
F (413) 585-2174
mhobbes@email.smith.edu
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