Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Singers over the summer

The school year is over and tour is finished, but that doesn't mean you can't still hear the Singers! Can't get enough of us? Here are a few ways to keep up with us over the summer.

New CD

Did you know we released a new CD? The Cloths of Heaven was released at our Bon Voyage concert the night before we left on tour.


Featuring repertoire from the Singers' 2007-2008 season, this is our ninth release. The CD includes Anton Bruckner's classic motet "Os justi meditabitur sapientiam," Eric Whitacre's beautiful "Five Hebrew Love Songs," and the world premiere of William Hawley's "The Cloths of Heaven," which was commissioned by the choir. Choral music fans will also find spirituals, gospel music, and sacred and secular music from all over the world.

You can buy it here. Don't worry: the order form will be updated soon! Sound samples will also be available soon here.

Competition Videos

Wish you could've heard us at competition? Now you can! Videos from our performances at Martkoberdorf are being uploaded onto our Youtube channel. There are currently six videos available with more to come!

iTunes

Don't forget that all of our live performances are available for free download on iTunes. You can also purchase our CDs from iTunes. Recordings from many of our tour performances and the competition are forthcoming---keep watching!

And of course, don't forget to keep up with us on facebook!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Tour: Results!

You may have already heard. But I'm going to say it again.

WE WON!!!

Yes! That's right! The University of Utah Singers took first prize at the 11th International Chamber Choir Competition in Marktoberdorf! We couldn't possibly be more excited about it!

Here's a rundown of everything we won:

1st Prize in the Mixed Choir Category
3rd Prize in the Youth Choir Category
Special Prize for the best interpretation of a work premiered at the competition (Nancy Wertsch's "Hail Holy Light")

The anticipation yesterday was about killing us. We sat in the hall and held hands and clapped and cried and had so much nervous energy that I think we almost exploded. The whole hall was electric with it, with hundreds of singers awaiting the results of a whole lot of hard work.

When they called our name, we all leaped to our feet, jumped up and down, screamed, cried, hugged, clapped. It was an incredible feeling, and something we will never forget!

I know I speak for the whole choir when I say thank you to Dr. Allred, who made the whole thing possible. We would not be the choir we are without him. Thank you for teaching us the technical skills and drawing out the emotion. You make it possible for us to sing with our hearts. With you, we don't just sing, we make music. Thank you!

And personally, I want to thank the entire choir for being so wonderful during the year and especially this tour. It was fantastic!

And we won! WE WON!!