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Date published: 3/11/2010
By JENNIFER MILLER STROBEL Two of the nation's top university choirs are singing for their suppers--and for Fredericksburg, their first stop on tours that take them to several cities. Schola Cantorum--from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, N.J.--will perform at St. George's Episcopal Church this Saturday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m. And the Cornell University Chorus will perform at St. George's on Saturday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m. Both renowned groups are on spring break tours to several Southeastern cities; they will stay with host families and be served dinner at St. George's. Schola Cantorum is the main choral ensemble for second-year students at Westminster Choir College, which is associated with Rider University. James Jordan, who directs the choir, is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential conductors in America. "James Jordan is just a legend in our field," said John Vreeland, director of music ministries at St. George's, and one of the many inspired by Jordan's musical philosophy. Jordan has written 40 books, including "The Musician's Soul," "The Musician's Walk" and "The Musician's Spirit." His Web site states that the trilogy has "made a deep and profound impact upon musicians and teachers around the world." His influence extends beyond choral performance to orchestral conducting, wind conducting, piano and music education. After this weekend's visit from the Schola Cantorum, next up will be the Cornell University Chorus--a women's chorus, founded in 1921--which will visit on March 20. The group has been under the direction of Scott Tucker since 1995. Its repertoire spans 10 languages and eight centuries, including the 21st. St. George's has previously been host to the American Boy Choir, the Penn State Men's Glee Club and University of Northern Alabama Choir. Speaking of the choirs' appreciation for the excellent acoustics at St. George's Vreeland said, "They go crazy and can't wait to come back. They love the sound." Schola Cantorum is the first visiting choir to perform after the church's recent renovation. "It's a beautiful nave," Vreeland said. "We're hoping to get a lot more people to come in and see and hear things. The long-term goal is to create a friends-of-music organization and to have a regular concert series." Not that the nave is waiting in silence until that day. In addition to occasional guest performances, two series featuring local musicians are already under way: First Fridays, featuring jazz musicians, among others, runs from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. the first Friday of each month A chamber music series, from 3 to 4 p.m., takes place the third Sunday of each month, featuring musicians from the church, University of Mary Washington and the community.
Date published: 3/11/2010
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