Chorus Angelicus
Encyclopedia
Chorus Angelicus is composed of approximately 60 children ages 5 to 18 who travel to Torrington
, Connecticut
, from 25 towns and cities in Connecticut, Massachusetts
, and New York
. It was founded by Grammy-winner Paul Halley
in 1991.
Students attend one or two weekly rehearsals, depending on their level of ability, and receive training in the art of singing, reading music, choral technique, and music theory. The parent organization, Joyful Noise, Inc., administers these choirs as well as a 40-member adult professional-semi-professional group, Gaudeamus.
Most children come to Chorus Angelicus with an ordinary background in music. Any child who loves to sing may enter one of the two Training Choirs, for which there is no audition. More advanced young singers audition for a place in the junior or senior choirs of Chorus Angelicus. What makes all of them extraordinary in the end is their hard work, commitment and passion for music. They become highly accomplished musicians, learning to sing rhythmically, harmoniously, and purely, then blending their voices with others to create the unique sound that is Chorus Angelicus. Along the way, they learn self-respect, discipline, confidence, and a willingness to strive for results of the highest caliber in all aspects of their lives.
s.
The Training Choirs, directed by Karen Sovak, were formed in 1998 to address the growing need for quality ear and vocal training among younger singers. No audition is required. They boast about 30 members, and perform concerts throughout the year for parents and friends. The Training Choirs consist of two groups: The Training Choir and the Advanced Training Choir. Many members of the Training Choirs go on to audition for Chorus Angelicus.
The Junior Choir of Chorus Angelicus provides rigorous training for children above the Training Choirs' level. They move to the Senior Choir as their skills progress. The Junior Choir is directed by Greg Wilfrid, a graduate of The Hartt School.
The Senior Choir of Chorus Angelicus, directed by Gabriel Lofvall, is the main performing chorus. These youngsters rehearse three or more hours each week, and perform frequently. They are known for the pure quality of their sound, described by the New York Times "almost as a resonating glass of water." A few choristers who return after graduation as Choral Scholars serve as mentors and role models for the rest of the choir.
The opportunity to achieve an even higher level exists in the form of the adult chamber chorus, Gaudeamus. Some choral scholars are invited to sing with both Chorus Angelicus and Gaudeamus, other singers may return later to join this exceptional ensemble. In everal concerts each year Chorus Angelicus combines with Gaudeamus to perform major works.
Torrington, Connecticut
Torrington is the largest city in Litchfield County, Connecticut and the northwestern Connecticut region. It is also the core city of the largest micropolitan area in the United States. The city population was 36,383 according to the 2010 census....
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, from 25 towns and cities in Connecticut, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. It was founded by Grammy-winner Paul Halley
Paul Halley
Paul Halley is an organist, singer, pianist, and composer. He is perhaps best known as being a member of and composer for the Paul Winter Consort.- Biography :...
in 1991.
Students attend one or two weekly rehearsals, depending on their level of ability, and receive training in the art of singing, reading music, choral technique, and music theory. The parent organization, Joyful Noise, Inc., administers these choirs as well as a 40-member adult professional-semi-professional group, Gaudeamus.
Most children come to Chorus Angelicus with an ordinary background in music. Any child who loves to sing may enter one of the two Training Choirs, for which there is no audition. More advanced young singers audition for a place in the junior or senior choirs of Chorus Angelicus. What makes all of them extraordinary in the end is their hard work, commitment and passion for music. They become highly accomplished musicians, learning to sing rhythmically, harmoniously, and purely, then blending their voices with others to create the unique sound that is Chorus Angelicus. Along the way, they learn self-respect, discipline, confidence, and a willingness to strive for results of the highest caliber in all aspects of their lives.
The choirs
Chorus Angelicus consists of four choirChoir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
s.
The Training Choirs, directed by Karen Sovak, were formed in 1998 to address the growing need for quality ear and vocal training among younger singers. No audition is required. They boast about 30 members, and perform concerts throughout the year for parents and friends. The Training Choirs consist of two groups: The Training Choir and the Advanced Training Choir. Many members of the Training Choirs go on to audition for Chorus Angelicus.
The Junior Choir of Chorus Angelicus provides rigorous training for children above the Training Choirs' level. They move to the Senior Choir as their skills progress. The Junior Choir is directed by Greg Wilfrid, a graduate of The Hartt School.
The Senior Choir of Chorus Angelicus, directed by Gabriel Lofvall, is the main performing chorus. These youngsters rehearse three or more hours each week, and perform frequently. They are known for the pure quality of their sound, described by the New York Times "almost as a resonating glass of water." A few choristers who return after graduation as Choral Scholars serve as mentors and role models for the rest of the choir.
The opportunity to achieve an even higher level exists in the form of the adult chamber chorus, Gaudeamus. Some choral scholars are invited to sing with both Chorus Angelicus and Gaudeamus, other singers may return later to join this exceptional ensemble. In everal concerts each year Chorus Angelicus combines with Gaudeamus to perform major works.
The team
The Artistic Director of Joyful Noise and the conductor of Chorus Angelicus was Nicholas White until July of 2011, composer, organ scholar of Clare College, Cambridge from 1986-89, Assistant Organist and Choirmaster of Washington D.C.'s National Cathedral, 1994-98, and Organist and Choirmaster of St. Michael's Church, New York City from 1998-2005. He is also founder and director of the Tiffany Consort. Currently, the Executive Director is Mary Sue Cavanagh. Board Chair is Nathaniel Gunod.Discography
| Year | Title | Featuring |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | What Child is This? | Chorus Angelicus & Gaudeamus Directed by Paul Halley |
| 2001 | A Christmas Peace | Chorus Angelicus & Gaudeamus Directed by Paul Halley |
| 2000 | Untraveled Worlds | Chorus Angelicus Directed by Paul Halley |
| 1996 | Wondrous Love | Chorus Angelicus & Gaudeamus with the Battell Brass Directed by Paul Halley |
| 1995 | Christmas Angelicus | Chorus Angelicus & Gaudeamus Directed by Paul Halley |
| 1994 | Voices of Light | Chorus Angelicus Directed by Paul Halley |
Program
Chorus Angelicus annually presents three main programs: Music for a Great Space, a free concert in Hartford, CT; Christmas Angelicus (6-7 concerts of this program are given in December in as many locations throughout northwestern Connecticut); and a final performance of a great work -- J.S. Bach's great Mass in B Minor in June 2007 -- with orchestra.External links
- The Official Chorus Angelicus Website
- [www.NicholasWhiteMusic.com]