The American Prize is pleased to announce the 2013 winning CHORUSES, runners-up and citation recipients.
Congratulations!
To know the exact day and time when additional winners will be announced,
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The
judges reserve the
right to award special citations and honorable mentions to any entrant
at their
discretion.
Please make us aware of any misprints: theamericanprize@gmail.com
The American Prize in Choral Performance
—college/university chorus
The American Prize winner:
Iowa State Singers, James Rodde, director, Ames, IA
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| Iowa State Singers |
The Iowa State Singers is Iowa State’s most select choral ensemble. Comprised of undergraduates, approximately one half of them music majors, the choir’s membership is drawn from a campus of over 30,000 students. The group annually presents a five-concert season, which includes a full-scale Madrigal Dinner and choral-orchestral masterwork. Recent performances include
Carmina Burana, the
Requiem settings of Brahms, Mozart, and Duruflé, and similar works. Concert tours have taken them to Western Europe, Russia, China, Australia, Korea, and conventions of the ACDA (2004, 2005, 2009, 2010) and NCCO (2008, 2011). “Exquisite.... one of the best choral ensembles we have heard!” –
Primarily A Cappella
Among judges' comments: "Each track shows a robust voice production; clearly secure singing both in terms of strong fundamentals and direction of unified expression."
2nd Place:
Western Michigan University Chorale, Kimberly Dunn Adams, director, Kalamazoo, MI
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| Western Michigan University Chorale |
Conducted by Dr. Kimberly Dunn Adams, the University Chorale is Western Michigan University’s flagship choral ensemble and represents the university at home and throughout the world. The Chorale's annual performance itinerary includes concerts and festivals on the WMU campus, appearances in neighboring communities and churches, tours within the U.S., and an international tour every fourth year.
Chorale has a long history of excellence in performance and competition, and has appeared alongside professional ensembles such as the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and Seraphic Fire. In 2004, Chorale was featured on the opening concert of the Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival performing Stravinsky's
Svadebka. The ensemble has performed multiple times at ACDA National, Regional, and State Conventions and at the National Collegiate Choral Organization’s bi-annual conference. Chorale has released numerous recordings, including a 2010 release with Seraphic Fire of Monteverdi’s
1610 Vespers that topped the iTunes charts and debuted to critical acclaim.
Among judges' comments: "a very solid series of live performances that shows a fine sense of good vocal production, excellent attention to vowel unification, and good musical shape."
3rd Place:
Pacific Lutheran University Choir of the West, Richard Nance, conductor, Tacoma, WA
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| Choir of the West |
The Choir of the West is the premier choral ensemble of the Department of Music at Pacific Lutheran University. Founded in 1925, the choir was the third Lutheran college choir to tour extensively throughout the country. The ensemble is comprised of undergraduate majors from a wide variety of academic disciplines. Yearly performances include shared concerts with other PLU ensembles, the annual series of Christmas concerts, campus ministry events, and campus celebratory events. Choir of the West has a rich history of domestic touring, and every four years travels abroad. The choir has performed in China, Japan, Scandinavia, and Europe. In 2011 Choir of the West won two gold and one silver award at the prestigious Harmonie Festival, held in Limburg-Lindenholzhausen, Germany. The choir has been selected to appear at several conferences sponsored by the American Choral Directors Association and the National Association for Music Education, most recently the 2013 ACDA national conference held in Dallas, Texas.
Among judges' comments: "a very natural and open sound that is rich with color...diction is extremely well clarified and effective in its interpretive intent."
The American Prize in Choral Performance—community
The American Prize winner:
Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble Loren Ponten, director—Seattle, WA
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| Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble |
Formed in 1992 by founding director Loren Pontén,
Opus 7 specializes in 19th- through 21st-century a cappella choral
music. As a resident ensemble of St. James Cathedral in Seattle,
Washington since 1994, Opus 7 is dedicated to performing the works of
local and regional composers, regularly commissioning new choral
compositions. In addition, since 2000 Opus 7 has fostered new talent in
the field of choral music through their unique Student Choral
Composition Awards Program.
Among judges' comments:
"The diction is impeccably clear and delivered with rhythmic clarity.
Unison melodies are crafted with agreement of vowels and tone color."
2nd Place:
Choral Arts Robert Bode, director—Seattle, WA
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| Choral Arts |
Seattle-based Choral Arts is a thirty-member
auditioned choral ensemble led by Artistic Director/Conductor, Robert
Bode. Choral Arts has distinguished itself as a significant contributor
to the art of choral music and has consistently achieved artistic
excellence in its music and programs for the past twenty years. Choral
Arts currently has five CDs released under the Gothic label.
Its
mission, to inspire, educate and enrich our community through the
transformational power of great choral music performed at the highest
artistic level, is carried out through its three core commitments:
• To share the beauty of high-quality choral music in a way that is transforming and special.
•
To provide students with a fresh and oftentimes first experience with
choral music through our unique Education Outreach Programs.
•
To honor the talents and contributions of our country’s composers and
be a catalyst for the creation of new compositions by American
composers.
Among judges comments: "The ensemble has a
consistent tone and richness throughout the voice sections and ranges.
The diction is rhythmically precise and vowels are uniform, round, and
with spacious resonance. "
3rd Place:
The Cecilia Chorus of New York Mark Shapiro, music director—NY, NY
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| The Cecilia Chorus of New York |
The Cecilia Chorus of New York (formerly known as The
St. Cecilia Chorus), founded in 1906, is now a 150 voice mixed chorus.
For many decades the Chorus, with professional orchestra and soloists,
has presented two concerts a year at Carnegie Hall. Under the artistic
leadership of Mark Shapiro, appointed the seventh Music Director in July
2011, bold, new directions in programming and repertoire are emerging.
The Chorus commissioned and gave the world premiere performance of
Divis Cetera by Rafael Fusco in December 2012. On April 14, 2013 the Chorus performed the NYC premiere of Dame Ethel Smyth’s
Mass in D paired creatively with scenes from
The Maid of Orleans by
Tchaikovsky. The Cecilia Chorus of New York is a secular
not-for-profit organization perpetuating and expanding the classical
choral-orchestral repertoire through commissions and performances for
diverse audiences (including outreach programs) in major New York area
venues.
Among judges comments: "There is a
consistent balance between orchestra, choir, and soloists. I enjoyed
listening to the round; warm tone color of the female voices. There is
an exciting rhythmic integrity on display..."
SPECIAL JUDGE'S CITATION: EXTRAORDINARY COMMITMENT to the COMMUNITY through MUSIC
Singers of the Street (SOS) Kathleen McGuire, conductor—San Francisco, CA
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| SOS photo by KELLEY BENNETT |
Singers of the Street (SOS) is a San Francisco-based
community choir of people affected by homelessness. Its mission: to
raise voices for justice, healing, and joy! SOS was founded by conductor
Dr. Kathleen McGuire in September, 2010, inspired by similar
organizations in Australia, Canada, and Europe. SOS rehearses Wednesday
mornings, followed by a free lunch provided for participants, and
performs 2 -3 times per month at churches, schools, and community
events. Performance highlights include singing at the centenary
celebration of the San Francisco Symphony at Davies Symphony Hall, and
appearing - via video performance – in the London Festival at the Royal
Opera House as part of the 2012 Olympics. SOS’s repertoire includes
pops, world music, and sacred and secular selections reflecting its
diverse membership. SOS has had a profound effect upon its participants
and audiences, bringing hope of a brighter future to those who are
disadvantaged. For more information, visit:
www.singersofthestreet.org
The American Prize in Choral Performance
—youth/high school
The American Prize winner:
Pinecrest High School Chamber Ensemble Erin E. Plisco, director—Southern Pines, NC
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| Pinecrest High School Chamber Ensemble |
The Pinecrest High School Chamber Ensemble is
comprised of 55 students, grades 9-12. The choir regularly performs for
the school and community, and is often sought after to perform for local
events. The Chamber Ensemble has a long history of superior festival
ratings and honors, national performances, and a performance at the
NCMEA state conference in 2009 and 2012. Students frequently participate
in ACDA Honors Choirs, the NCMEA Honors Choir, and the NC Governor’s
School for the Arts. In 2011, the program hosted Grammy award-winning
composer Eric Whitacre as artist-in-residence for three days at the high
school. In 2012, the program hosted the vocal group Cantus for a master
class with the choral students. The choir recently performed at the
Heritage Festival of Gold in Chicago, receiving the highest score in the
festival. Other recent events include performances at Duke Chapel in
Durham, and East Carolina University in Greenville, NC.
Among
judges' comments: "This ensemble has a clear understanding of choral
style and performance. The repertoire is well-chosen and appropriate
for high school voices. Their diction and sense of phrasing are their
strongest points, as is their commitment to working as an ensemble."
2nd Place:
Young Naperville Singers Chamber Singers Angie Johnson—Naperville, IL
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| Young Naperville Singers Chamber Singers |
Young Naperville Singers (YNS) was founded in 1984
with a mission dedicated to promoting the highest level of artistic
excellence in choral music through extraordinary educational and
performance experiences that enrich the lives of young people. Based in
Naperville, Illinois, the choir consists of eight ensembles whose 318
members range in age from six to seventeen. Weekly rehearsals are held
to prepare for two formal concerts presented each year that feature a
varied repertoire and guest musicians. Informal concerts are held
throughout the year. Singers have participated in festivals throughout
North America, the most recent being the Coastal Sound International
Choral Festival (Canada). YNS has had performance collaborations with
Judy Collins, David Benoit and Natalie MacMaster and has premiered
commissioned works by noted composers such as David Brunner and Stephen
Paulus. Membership is by audition and all children regardless of race,
gender or physical ability are welcome.
Among judges
comments: "...loved your repertoire and your enthusiasm...you are
tackling great music...I would enjoy coming to your concerts because you
convey such a love for what you are doing."
3rd Place:
Brearley B-Naturals Karyn Joaquino, director—New York, NY
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| Brearley B-Naturals |
The B-Naturals are the a cappella group of The
Brearley School, an all-girls preparatory school in New York City. The
group was founded by students in 1986, and has performed under the
direction of Karyn Joaquino since she joined the Brearley faculty in
2000.
The repertoire is intentionally broad, ranging
from traditional choral pieces to vocal jazz and pop. Much of the
repertoire is arranged by Ms. Joaquino, but every show or recording is
likely to include a few student arrangements, and even original student
compositions. Most members of the B-Naturals pursue their love of a
cappella music during their college careers as well, often directing
their own groups.
The B-Naturals have sung the national
anthem before a Yankees game, opened for jazz pianist Peter Cincotti at
Jazz at Lincoln Center, entertained the King and Queen of Sweden, and
have brought their music abroad twice to England and Wales. In addition
to live performances, the B-Naturals have recorded five CDs, and have
been recognized for their work by Best of High School A Cappella,
DownBeat Magazine, and the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards
(CARAs).
Among judges comments: "You clearly have
worked hard and have achieved a high level of performance. Your youthful
energy and passion is evident on the recordings..."
***
Congratulations to all winners and runners-up.
