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Choirs
"Svetozar Markovic" • Novi Sad/Serbia
The Choir of the Cultural & Art Society Svetozar Markovic unites young singers, mostly students of the University of Novi Sad, who share a great love of singing and performing. The choir continues the tradition of this choir founded in 1945 as a mixed ensemble. In more than six decades this ensemble has performed at many international and domestic competitions and has won a big number of awards that demonstrate a high quality of performance and above all a fondness for music and singing. Among others in 2007 the choir was awarded the 3rd prize at the Internationale Koorwedstraijd van Vlaanderen-Maasmechelen/Belgium, in 2012 the 1st prize at the International Choir Festival of Habaneras and Polyphony Torrevieja/Spain,
Today it consists of singers who were gathered by its conductor Božidar Crnjanski in 2002. His goal since inception has been to develop and foster an appreciation for choral music with a versatile repertoire and high standards of performance. The ensemble has had an active performing life, with many musicians at home and abroad.
Conductor: Bozidar Crnjanski
After graduating in Music Theory and Pedagogy, Božidar Crnjanski finished his postgraduate studies in Choral Conducting at the Academy of Novi Sad. He works as a choir assistant at the Academy of Novi Sad and performs as a piano accompanist with solo singers. Since 2002 he has been the conductor of the choir Svetozar Markovic. Božidar Crnjanski was awarded the gold medal for the best conductor of the Choral Festival of Vojvodina/Serbia in 2003 and 2009 as well as at the 1st International Choral Competition Sofia/Bulgaria in 2004.
EXtraChord • Montabaur/Germany
EXtraCHORd is an ensemble made up of former members of the Art of the Voice chamber choir from the State Music Grammar School in Rheinland-Pfalz. Most of the choir’s members have become professional singers and have completed an education course in singing. The choir’s repertoire covers interesting, preferably little known works from the Renaissance up to modern times, from spiritual to secular, from Europe to South America.
Since its founding in 2007 the ensemble has enjoyed rapid success. After winning the State Choral Competition in Rheinland-Pfalz in 2009, there followed the first prize in the category A1 – Mixed Choirs, at the Germany Choral Competition in 2010 in Dortmund and, in the same year, third place at the Certamen Coral de Tolosa in Spain. This was followed by invitations to sing in a series of concerts, among them in the Cathedral in Speyer and the Collegiate Churches in Stuttgart and Tübingen.
Conductor: Martin Ramroth
Martin Ramroth studied School Music and English at the University of Mainz and carried on to take a Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Kansas (KS)/USA. Since 1994 he has taught at the State Music Grammar School in Rheinland-Pfalz where he has repeatedly led various choirs and ensembles to great success.
Martin Ramroth has also written a small number of compositions and choral arrangements. In addition, he is regularly involved in leading workshops and as a guest conductor, for example with the Rheinland-Pfalz State Youth Choir.
University of New Hampshire Chamber Singers • Durham/USA
The Chamber Singers is the oldest established vocal ensemble at the University of New Hampshire, and has been giving concerts on campus and in the Seacoast region of the north-eastern United States for over 60 years. The Chamber Singers is an auditioned ensemble which presents four programs a season at the University, many of which are also presented in the wider region. Their repertoire ranges from the early Renaissance to twenty-first century music for chamber choirs.
Under their current director, William Kempster, who took over the Chamber Singers in 2000, the group has expanded its horizons significantly, with international tours to Canada (2004), Australia (2006), the Czech Republic (2009) and Austria (2011).
The Chamber Singers have recently also been recognized in prestigious international competitions, and have been awarded a gold and silver award at the 6th Bohuslav Martinů International Choral Competition, Pardubice/Czech Republic, in June 2009 and a silver diploma at the Anton Bruckner Choir Competition, Linz/ Austria in June 2011.
Conductor: William Kempster
After extensive experience in his homeland, Australian conductor William Kempster moved to Canada in 1995 to pursue further academic study. In September 1999 he took up an appointment at the University of New Hampshire, and has directed the choral program there since that time. He is the conductor of UNH Chamber Singers and of Ensemble de la Rue, a chamber choir concentrating on the music of the 15th and early 16th century. He is also an experienced orchestral conductor. Since 2012 William Kempster has been a full professor at the University of New Hampshire.
Choeur National des Jeunes de France • Lyon/France
The National Youth Choir of France was founded in 1999 by the National Choir Association A Cœur Joie. It consists of about 30 auditioned members, between 18 and 28 years old. The singers commit themselves to sing for 3 years in the choir. The choir rehearses during a summer session of 8 days concluded by the first concert of the season and 6 weekends around the year, each one with a concert. The choir also performs as a clinic choir for master classes in music conservatories.
The aim of the choir is to offer an opportunity for young talented singers to improve their skills by working with the best conductors and singing teachers and to allow them to discover a new repertoire, especially contemporary music.
The National Youth Choir of France is placed under the responsibility of a director for 3 years. It is at present conducted by Régine Théodoresco and Agnès Brosset (vocal technique), succeeding to Fred Sjöberg (Sweden), Valérie Fayet, Jean-Marie Puissant and Antoine Dubois from France.
The Choir has performed extensively in France and abroad (Belgium, Netherlands, Hungary, Italy, China, Sweden, Germany) and represented France at the last World Symposium on Choral Music in Argentina.
Conductor: Régine Théodoresco
Régine Théodorescu is one of the leading figures of the choral art in France. She has been awarded the title of Chevalier des Arts et Lettres, one of the highest distinctions of the Ministry of Culture. She is the artistic director of Calliope, a professional vocal ensemble which has been awarded the Orphée d'or for the best recording of French music in 2007.
Régine Théodorescu teaches choral conducting at the Conservatory of Rennes and coordinates the pole of voice of Britanny.
Coralia of the University of Puerto Rico • San Juan/Puerto Rico
Coralia, the concert choir of the University of Puerto Rico, forms part of the long-standing choral tradition at the Río Piedras Campus, which dates back to 1936. Founded in 1982 by its current conductor, Carmen Acevedo Lucío, Coralia is comprised of students and alumni who have vast choral experience and a solid musical background. Their repertoire consists of music from all historical periods as well as traditional, Latin American and Puerto Rican music. In the professional arena, Coralia has participated with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra at the prestigious Casals Festival under the baton of renowned conductors such as Margaret Hillis, Krzysztof Penderecki and Helmuth Rilling. Coralia has represented Puerto Rico in a wide variety of festivals and competitions with innovative programmes in Europe, South America, Canada, Mexico, the United States of America, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. The choir has been awarded several prizes.
Conductor: Carmen Acevedo Lucío
Carmen Acevedo Lucío obtained a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the College-Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati. She completed her course work for the doctoral degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Illinois. She is the founder and artistic director of Coralia and the San Juan Philharmonic Chorale and has collaborated with internationally renowned maestros, among them Krzysztof Penderecki and Gustavo Dudamel. She has been a guest conductor and clinician in Mexico, Canada and Spain.
University of the Philippines Manila Chorale • Manila/Philippines
Der UP Manila Chorale (UPMC), gegründet 1992, ist der offizielle Chorvertreter der Universität der Philippinen in Manila. Sein Ziel ist es, durch die eigenen Auftritte zur Verbreitung der Musik und Kultur der Philippinen beizutragen. Im Laufe der Jahre hat sich das Ensemble ein breites Repertoire geistlicher, folkloristischer und weltlicher Musik von Jazz bis Pop angeeignet. Eine große Rolle spielt auch die traditionelle philippinische Musik.
Die ausgedehnte Konzerttätigkeit des Chores umfasst mittlerweile fünf Europatourneen sowie Konzerte für Staatsoberhäupter und andere Honoratioren. Auch bei Wettbewerben und Festivals ist der mehrfach ausgezeichnete Chor häufig zu Gast. Jugendlichkeit, Vitalität und die Liebe zur Musik sind die Hauptantriebe für das Engagement der Sänger.
Conductor: Demmanuel P. de Leon jr.
Even before reaching the age of 20, Emmanuel P. de Leon jr. has already been awarded the Gawad Dangal ng Kabataang Baliuageno sa Laragan ng Musika and the Nicanor Abelardo Excellence in Music Award by the local government of his hometown Baliuag, Bulacan for exhibiting great potential in music at an early age. In 2009, he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a concentration on the voice.
Kamarikuoro Kampin Laulu • Helsinki/Finland
Kampin Laulu was established in 1990, when Timo Lehtovaara needed an instrument for his choral conducting exam at the Sibelius Academy. The devotion to singing together did not die out after the exam, but the choir decided to carry on the good work even further. Since August 2011 Kari Turunen has been the choir’s conductor. At the moment about one third of the singers are music professionals, the rest are active amateurs. The core competence of the youthful choir is more or less contemporary Finnish choir music but the repertoire has extended during the years from Renaissance and baroque music all the way to jazz and rock.
Kampin Laulu has been awarded several prizes at numerous prestigious international choir competitions such as the Cork International Choir Competition, Ireland (1997), the Béla Bartók International Choir Competition, Debrecen/Hungary (2002) and the International Harald Andersén Chamber Choir Competition, Helsinki/Finland (2007). Kampin Laulu has co-operated with, for example, the Chamber Orchestra Avanti!, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Kymi Sinfonietta, Jyväskylä Sinfonia, the UMO Jazz Orchestra and several smaller ensembles and bands.
Conductor: Kari Turunen
Kari Turunen was educated at the University of Helsinki and the Sibelius Academy where he studied choral conducting with Matti Hyökki. He complemented his studies with numerous master classes under Eric Ericsson, Anders Eby and others. He is the artistic director of four choirs with which he has won several prizes at both national and international competitions. In 2003 he was awarded the conductor’s prize at the 8th International Chamber Choir Competition Marktoberdorf, in 2008 he was Choral Conductor of the Year in Finland.
KammerChor Saarbrücken • Saarbrücken/Germany
Founded in 1990 by its present conductor, Georg Grün, the KammerChor Saarbrücken has rapidly developed to become one of the most important choirs in Germany with an excellent international reputation. Proof of this are countless appearances at festivals within Germany and in many European countries, the USA and Russia, award-winning CD recordings and radio broadcasts together with numerous prizes at international choral competitions, most recently in July 2012 at the Béla Bartók International Choral Competition in Debrecen/Hungary.
The repertoire of the KammerChors Saarbrücken covers a wide range: the choir performs works by important composers from the middle ages, the Renaissance as well as examples of ancient classical vocal polyphony. The choir is, however, also active in the field of historical performances of works from the 17th and 18th centuries and works together with leading early music ensembles. Their interpretation of romantic and contemporary works has earned them particular recognition internationally. The choir is also making more and more of a name for itself in the area of experimental and avant-garde choral music.
Conductor: Georg Grün
Georg Grün studied Church and School Music, Conducting, Catholic Theology and Musicology at the Academy of Music and the University in the Saarland as well as Organ Improvisation under Jean-Pierre Leguay in Paris. After finishing his studies, he founded the KammerChor Saarbrücken, and has remained its artistic director up to the present day. In 2000 he was invited to become Professor for Conducting at the Mannheim Academy of Music. Since October 2012 he has been Professor for Choral Conducting at the Saar Academy of Music. Georg Grün is much in demand as a guest conductor, jury member and lecturer at home and abroad.
Schweizer JugendChor • Lausanne/Switzerland
The Swiss Youth Choir, founded in 1994 by Hansruedi Kämpfen and Pascal Meyer, is a choir which is newly formed each year from young talented singers coming from all parts of Switzerland and its linguistic regions. It offers young people the chance to meet together and to exchange musical experiences. At the same time it offers the young talented singers a gateway to professional music training, thereby guaranteeing the next generation members for choirs and music institutions at home and abroad. From the very start, the choir has been supported by the Association of Swiss Choirs (SCV) und die Swiss Federation Europa Cantat (SFEC).
The Swiss Youth Choir has repeatedly performed at festivals abroad and sings regularly at the Europa Cantat festivals. In 2008 it was awarded the Choral Prize of the Lamprecht-Steiger Foundation, in 2011 it received the first prize ex aequo of the Valiantforum during the Murten Classics Festival. In cooperation with the Swiss Broadcasting Association or with private recording studios, a CD of the current concert programme appears each year.
Conductor: Dominique Tille
Dominique Tille studied Choral Conducting in Geneva and Berlin, among others under Michel Corboz and Kai-Uwe Jirka. Tille is the founder and artistic director of the Chœur des jeunes de Lausanne and the Ensemble Vocal féminin Callirhoé. In addition, he conducts the Chœur de la Cité de Lausanne as well as the choirs of the Academies of Music in Bern and Lausanne and is cofounder and director of the professional chamber choir Académie Vocale de Suisse Romande. His musical projects are characterized by his openness for all styles of choral music, his curiosity and love of discovery.
Dominique Tille is a member of the music commission of the Association of Swiss Choirs and the Swiss Federation Europa Cantat and teaches choral conducting for the Waadtland Association of Choral Conductors. He is actively involved in the training for and furthering of choral music in Switzerland.
University of Houston Moores School Concert Chorale • USA
The Moores School Concert Chorale is the University of Houston's premiere large choral ensemble. The group has been under the direction of Betsy Cook Weber since 2002. Under her direction, the ensemble has risen to international prominence, performing to standing ovations for two Texas Music Educators Association conventions (2005 and 2008) and the national American Choral Directors Association convention in Miami (2007). ChoralNet described the group's ACDA performances as "simply outstanding“.
In 2009 the choir took part in the 47th Eisteddfod in Llangollen/Wales, where they won prizes in different categories. In 2011, Moores School Concert Chorale competed in the Florilège Vocal du Tours, winning 2nd prize in the Mixed Chorus category and a lst prize for their performance of a world premiere. Chorale can frequently be found on the stages of numerous churches, schools, and civic groups.
Conductor: Betsy Cook Weber
Betsy Cook-Weber is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies at the University of Houston's Moores School of Music. She teaches a full load of coursework and oversees the large and varied choral area at the Moores School. She was a winner of a Teaching Excellence prize from the University of Houston in May 2011.
Recent engagements as a conductor, adjudicator, and presenter have taken her to several US states.