Friday, August 24, 2018

It's not too late - singing with Michael McGlynn in Ireland next summer! 2019 Ireland Choir Festival

Dear friends

I know that many of you are finalizing your concert touring plans for next year and wanted to be sure KIconcerts had forwarded you information on the festival Michael McGlynn and I are leading in Dublin late next June.
I can tell you first hand that this festival will be incredible as it is uniquely geared toward a multi-cultural choir experience. In addition to the rare opportunity to sing with members of the Anúna choir, there are limited spaces available for choirs to have one on one workshops with Anúna singers. I witnessed one last year and can speak to the depth of knowledge shared and the impact on the visiting singers! I know your choristers will have a life changing musical and cultural experience. I recommend checking out these YouTube videos to become even more familiar with Anúna and some of the repertoire we are considering. Please take a listen!

"The Music of Michael McGlynn & ANÚNA" ACDA National Presentation 2015
ANÚNA: "Jerusalem" arr. Michael McGlynn
ANÚNA: Dúlamán written by Michael McGlynn

In addition Michael McGlynn has agreed to write a new piece for this festival, which we will premiere. This is what Michael says about the new piece:

I was considering a title for the commissioned piece. I had a look at something that would yield a simple SATB with no divisi, and the best way forward is a simple text based on the ancient story of the Blackbird representing the voice of the natural world, with a song so pure and simple that it transcends the sound even of the monk's singing at prayer, or the matin bell. So the title is, simply, “The Song of the Blackbird”.

I would love to have you join us for this wonderful choral event, different from any other! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me!! I would love to have you and your choir join us!!

Henry Leck
Artistic Director & Co-conductor

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Time to finalize 2019 concert touring plans – join Janet Galván's Passion of Italy Festival July 2019

I hope the start of your academic/singing/concert year is smooth and energizing.

While you are considering your concert touring options for next year, I wanted to send you information on my Passion of Italy Festival in Rome early July, 2019. I am so excited to be working with KIconcerts again. This company provides incredible travel experiences for choral ensembles. The concerts are promoted, and the balance between the ensemble working on their own and as part of the larger chorus is incredible.
I am sure that you know how thrilling a destination Rome is with the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Coliseum, the Vatican and everything else that makes this truly ‘the Eternal City’. The city is magical for those visiting the first time as well as for those returning for one more of many trips there. Choirs attending previous Passion of Italy festivals also toured Florence, Venice, the Amalfi Coast and Milan for further amazing Italian touring experiences.

I love to bring a variety of voices and choruses together working until they become a majestic combined choir worthy of singing Mass at St. Peter’s (tbd) and in our Gala Concert in Rome. Coming together with other singers to create something incredible is thrilling. Of course I also never lose sight of the pleasure that comes from staging our individual choirs in their own performances in great venues in another country.

I am still considering repertoire options for the festival because I want the program to reflect the needs of all participating ensembles. These decisions will be made very soon. Please let me know of your interests, and I will seek to design the program with your interests in mind. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact KIconcerts and/or me personally. The incredible people at KIconcerts know when to refer questions to me.

I am excited to be working in Italy again and to have the opportunity to work with fine ensembles such as yours in this dynamic and special way!

Dr. Janet Galván
Artistic Director & Conductor

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Welcome back to a new singing year - London choir festival with Rollo Dilworth - summer 2019

Dear Friends

I know we have all been busy over the summer and are now focusing on the year ahead. One of my summer highlights was conducting the combined US/Italian choir for the 2018 Passion of Italy Festival. In between rehearsals, singing Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica and performing our Gala concert, participating choirs had opportunities for their own concerts in Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan.

Next year I am leading the London festival and would welcome your participation. We will rehearse and perform in London and then have the option to travel up north to also perform in the Harrogate International Festival.
London offers the most iconic sightseeing in the world and for instance, within two hours of the city, you can also visit Harry Potter’s Oxford, the Queen’s Windsor Castle, The Druid’s Stonehenge and Chaucer’s Canterbury Cathedral.

I hope you might consider joining us June 29-July 4, 2019 for the great singing experiences and to explore the pomp and circumstance of Great Britain with your ensemble!

The fine team at KI or I can answer any questions and provide more detail

Rollo Dilworth
Artistic Director & Conductor