CCM to Open Spring Choral Series, 2/8

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music's (CCM) Department of Choral Studies presents a strikingly diverse and unique series of concerts this spring.

Under the direction of Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies Earl Rivers and Associate Professor of Ensembles and Conducting Brett Scott, CCM's and UC's choral ensembles will present four major concerts from Feb. 8 through April 19. Tickets are on sale now for all performances.

From concert programs celebrating the lyricism of William Shakespeare and Walt Whitman to performances of the monumental works of French, Russian and American composers, CCM's Spring Choral Series spotlights a wide range of masterpieces spanning several centuries.

The Choral Series opens on Sunday, Feb. 8, with an outstanding guest choir from Shanghai East China Normal University joining CCM ensemble-in-residence the Cincinnati Children's Choir and the CCM Chamber Choir and Chorale and the UC Men's and Women's Choruses in a performance celebrating The Shakespeare Quadricentennial. Entitled "Music of the Bard II," the concert features choral settings of Shakespeare's texts, including Mäntyjärvi's Four Shakespeare Songs and Frank Martin's Songs of Ariel.

CCM's Choral Series continues with the monumental works of French Romantic composer Hector Berlioz and 20th century Russian composer Igor Stravinsky in a unique double-bill of Te Deum and The Rite of Spring on Friday, March 13. CCM's Chamber Choir and Chorale join forces with the Cincinnati Children's Choir and the CCM Philharmonia for this concert, which also features faculty artist Michael Unger, organ; and student artist Christopher Bozeka, tenor.

On Wednesday, March 25, the UC Men's and Women's Choruses' annual Spring Showcase returns, featuring students from all 13 UC colleges singing a variety of classical, popular, folk and jazz tunes. The program highlights include Jeffrey Van's A Procession Winding Around Me, written for solo guitar and chorus and based on a Civil War text by Walt Whitman, along with works by Francis Poulenc, Moses Hogan, and Z. Randall Stroop.

The Spring Choral Series comes to a powerful conclusion on Wednesday, April 19, as the CCM Chorale and Brass Choir are joined by the Phil DeGreg Trio and the Martin Luther King Chorale for a performance of Dave Brubeck's The Gates of Justice. Originally co-commissioned by CCM and the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, The Gates of Justice premiered in 1969 for the dedication of Cincinnati's Rockdale Temple. The iconic work features text drawn from the Hebrew Bible, speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Negro Spirituals, the writings of Hillel and lyrics by the composer's wife, Iola Brubeck.

In addition to the Spring Choral Series concerts, the CCM Chamber Choir will also collaborate with the Ballet Ensemble, student percussionists, faculty artist James Tocco and members of his piano studio for a production of Stravinsky's Les Noces (The Wedding), running April 23 - 25. Premiered in Paris in 1923, this remarkable dance cantata is written for soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor and bass soloists, mixed chorus, four pianists and six percussionists.

Event Information

All events listed below take place on the campus of the University of Cincinnati unless otherwise indicated. Please see individual event information for single ticket prices and ordering information.

Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at 513-556-4183 or online now through our e-Box Office! Visit ccm.uc.edu/boxoffice for CCM Box Office hours and location.

All event dates and programs are subject to change. Visit ccm.uc.edu or contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 for the most current event information.