Hochstein hosts the inspiring, first-of-its-kind Rochester Intergenerational Choir Day on Saturday, November 16 from 9:30 am-4:00 pm. This event is open to choral singers grade 4 and up – both individuals and choirs – and it’s free!
There will be sessions during the day with three well-known local clinicians: Dr. Lee Wright, Jonathan Thomas Madden, and Dr. Philip E. Silvey.
Wright, a scholar of the American Negro Spiritual and director of the choral group First Inversion, will begin by introducing choral improvisation techniques using spirituals taught by rote.
Madden will lead singers in his newly commissioned work “Songs for the People,” based on poetry by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, an influential abolitionist, suffragist, poet, and teacher. Assistant Director of the Hochstein Youth Singers and Hochstein Singers and also a Hochstein alum, Madden is currently a graduate student in choral conducting at the Eastman School of Music.
Silvey – Associate Professor of Music Teaching and Learning at the Eastman School of Music – will work with singers on his new composition “Everyone Shine.”
The day will end with an informal performance of the pieces and improvisation. Each singer will take home invaluable experience in improvisational performance practice of spirituals and choirs will have two performance-ready works.
Register by November 7. Find out more at:
https://hochstein.org/Ensembles/Choral/Rochester-Intergenerational-Choir-Day-
If you are interested in participating, please fill out this form here.
Thanks to Maryellen Giese, Director of Hochstein Youth Singers and Hochstein Singers, and Lee Wright for organizing this special event!