Heinz Chapel Choir
Encyclopedia
The Heinz Chapel Choir is an internationally-known mixed a cappella
choir from the University of Pittsburgh
founded in 1938 which draws its members from the University's student body. They give their performances in the Heinz Memorial Chapel
. The group was first founded as the A Capella Choir, and became the official chapel choir when Heinz Chapel was opened in 1938 and thus changed their named accordingly. The choir is currently directed by John Goldsmith, and has been performing for over 70 years and has become part of the tradition of Heinz Memorial Chapel.
In addition to regular performances in Pittsburgh, the Heinz Chapel Choir regularly undertakes domestic and international tours. In spring of 2009, the group embarked on a tour of China and Hong Kong and is scheduled to tour Peru and Bolivia in 2012. Previous international tours have taken them to Brazil (2006); Italy and Croatia (2001); Spain and France (1998); Greece and Italy (1995); Germany, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Switzerland (1992); Belgium, Ireland, and a 14 city tour of France (1984), France (1982, 1980 and 1978); and England, France, and Italy (1974). Domestic tours have taken it to throughout the United States, and the group has been heard on a national radio broadcast from Washington, D.C.
and has appeared at the White House
. The choir has seen a myriad of opportunities ranging from performing for audiences that have included world leaders such as Pope Paul VI
and Helmut Schmidt
, accompanying performances of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
, to appearing in a concert with Duke Ellington
. At the 1950s, the choir had its own Sunday television show air for five years on KDKA-TV
, and its predecessor WDTV, in Pittsburgh.
The Heinz Chapel Choir has recorded several CDs:
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
choir from the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
founded in 1938 which draws its members from the University's student body. They give their performances in the Heinz Memorial Chapel
Heinz Memorial Chapel
Heinz Memorial Chapel is a Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmark and a contributing property to the Schenley Farms National Historic District on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States....
. The group was first founded as the A Capella Choir, and became the official chapel choir when Heinz Chapel was opened in 1938 and thus changed their named accordingly. The choir is currently directed by John Goldsmith, and has been performing for over 70 years and has become part of the tradition of Heinz Memorial Chapel.
In addition to regular performances in Pittsburgh, the Heinz Chapel Choir regularly undertakes domestic and international tours. In spring of 2009, the group embarked on a tour of China and Hong Kong and is scheduled to tour Peru and Bolivia in 2012. Previous international tours have taken them to Brazil (2006); Italy and Croatia (2001); Spain and France (1998); Greece and Italy (1995); Germany, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Switzerland (1992); Belgium, Ireland, and a 14 city tour of France (1984), France (1982, 1980 and 1978); and England, France, and Italy (1974). Domestic tours have taken it to throughout the United States, and the group has been heard on a national radio broadcast from Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and has appeared at the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
. The choir has seen a myriad of opportunities ranging from performing for audiences that have included world leaders such as Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
and Helmut Schmidt
Helmut Schmidt
Helmut Heinrich Waldemar Schmidt is a German Social Democratic politician who served as Chancellor of West Germany from 1974 to 1982. Prior to becoming chancellor, he had served as Minister of Defence and Minister of Finance. He had also served briefly as Minister of Economics and as acting...
, accompanying performances of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre is an American professional ballet company based in the Strip District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.- History :...
, to appearing in a concert with Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
. At the 1950s, the choir had its own Sunday television show air for five years on KDKA-TV
KDKA-TV
KDKA-TV, channel 2, is an owned and operated television station of the CBS Television Network, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. KDKA-TV broadcasts from a transmitter located in the Perry North neighborhood of Pittsburgh, and its studios are located in downtown Pittsburgh at Gateway Center....
, and its predecessor WDTV, in Pittsburgh.
Recordings
- Heinz Chapel Choir Christmas, 1999
- A Cappella Music of the Americas
- 2001 Adriatic Odyssey, 2001
- Viking Adventure, 2003
- "Blame it on Rio" Tour, 2006
- Christmas in Heinz Chapel, 2007
- Great Wall Tour, 2009
External links
- Heinz Chapel Choir - official homepage