Choral School Public Performance

Jul 21, 2009

July 20, 2009

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Kim Kappes, Media Relations assistant
(218) 299-3147
Gordon Moe, Manager
(701) 212-3693

CHORAL SCHOOL FEATURES FORMER MORMON
TABERNACLE CHOIR DIRECTOR

    The 12th annual René Clausen Choral School features former Mormon Tabernacle choir director Dr. Craig Jessop as guest clinician. Choir conductors from 22 states and Thailand are participating July 18-22 on the campus of Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. The Choral School will conclude with a public performance featuring the music the conductors have learned this week. The free mini-concert of sacred a cappella works will be held at 12:15 p.m., Wednesday, July 22 in Concordia’s Hvidsten Hall of Music.
      “Every year I am energized by the variety of conductors who take time out of their summer to improve their skills as musicians. Both new conductors and seasoned conductors share ideas with each other as they sing side by side during our daily rehearsals and lectures,” said Clausen. “We created this school to affirm a conductor’s need for growth and inspiration.”
      As opposed to a workshop format, Clausen has specifically created a “choral school” with more lecture hours and intense content to increase the participant’s knowledge of style, literature, performance practice issues, and conducting and rehearsal technique.
      Clausen has written more than 60 commissioned works, and regularly conducts major choral/orchestral performances, choral festivals and workshops nationwide. One of his most recent commissions, titled “MEMORIAL,” was written for the 2003 National American Choral Directors Convention held in New York City.
      Clausen is conductor of The Concordia Choir and received the bachelor of arts degree from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., and the master of music and doctor of musical arts degrees from the University of Illinois, Urbana.
      NOTE: Dr. Craig Jessop will be with the Choral School July 20 and 21. Please see the attached schedule for exact times.
     
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Information For:

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