the CHORAL SCHOLARS of University College Dublin

Transcription

1 the CHORAL SCHOLARS of University College Dublin

2 Gifted YOUNG SINGERS The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin

3 Who WE ARE The Choral Scholars is an internationally-acclaimed chamber choir of gifted student singers led by founding Artistic Director, Dr Desmond Earley, based at University College Dublin School of Music. Scholars come from various academic disciplines and commit to an intensive programme of choral study. Since its formation in 1999, the choir has maintained strong links with its family of over two hundred alumni who often return to perform with the ensemble on the national and international concert stage. What WE DO This unique scholarship programme broadens the experience of students at University College Dublin, connecting them to audiences across the world through live and recorded performances. With a classical focus and an inspiration found in the music and literature of Ireland, the ensemble s repertoire ranges from contemporary choral music to the re-imagining of Irish traditional song. Choral Scholar members serve as ambassadors for University College Dublin, representing the best of Ireland and its distinct culture. How WE WORK Through a selective audition process, eighteen scholars are chosen annually. Throughout each semester they receive intense vocal coaching, language instruction, and performance-practice studies. The choir regularly commissions new works from internationallyrenowned composers. They also participate in specialist workshops with musicians of the highest calibre. What differentiates the Choral Scholars from other choirs is a strong national identity, a commitment to artistic excellence, an ambitious vision, a joyful camaraderie, and a dynamic, youthful sound.

4 INVISIBLE STARS IN 2016 THE CHORAL SCHOLARS RELEASED INVISIBLE STARS, THE CHOIR S DEBUT ALBUM ON A MAJOR RECORD LABEL, SHOWCASING THE CHORAL MUSIC OF IRELAND AND SCOTLAND. 1.5 Million STREAMS ON SPOTIFY & APPLE MUSIC 10,000 PHYSICAL AND DIGITAL ALBUM SALES 8,000 DOWNLOADS INDIVIDUAL TRACK ALBUM REACHING 80 COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE BEST-SELLING CHORAL ALBUM ON SIGNUM CLASSICS IN INTERNATIONAL PRESS Gramophone Magazine, UK All Classical Portland, USA American Public Media, USA NPR, USA RTÉ Radio, IRL GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION COLLEGE CHORAL SERIES 7,000 published with Seolta Music Ltd (IRL) COPIES OF DESMOND EARLEY S SCORES DISTRIBUTED TO CHOIRS WORLDWIDE SOCIAL MEDIA SENSATION 8 Million COMBINED VIDEO VIEWS 22,000 SUBSCRIBERS ON YOUTUBE FEATURED VIDEO PARTNER OF 2 million followers THOUSANDS OF FOLLOWERS, FANS AND SUBSCRIBERS FACEBOOK TWITTER INSTAGRAM

5 The debut album on Signum Classics from the Choral Scholars of University College Dublin. Director: Desmond Earley

6 CULTURAL AMBASSADORS Performances in Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, United Kingdom, United States of America. PROFILE APPEARANCES Chorus for: Ennio Morricone Hanz Zimmer Demi Lovato Young Wonder ARTISTIC COLLABORATIONS INTERNATIONAL COMMISSIONS RTÉ Concert Orchestra European Union Chamber Orchestra Ireland s traditional music champions Ivo Antognini (CH) Eoghan Desmond (IRL) Desmond Earley (IRL) Colin Mawby (UK) Michael McGlynn (IRL) Natasa Paulberg (AUS/IRL) Timothy Stephens (USA) Bill Whelan (IRL)

7 EXCELLENCE The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin

8 MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDING My mission, as Director, is to create an unparalleled opportunity for the students of University College Dublin. Choral Scholars has re-invented the collegiate choral experience. Choral Scholars is a different kind of choir with a different impact on the world. Choral Scholars illustrates how an ensemble can achieve international success through a commitment to outstanding performance standards. This ensemble provides a special platform for young singers to work together and experience the benefits of communication, expression and emotional intelligence through music. Our work represents the living actuality of artistic endeavour. We perform and record imaginative repertoire, enabling each student to experience choral music through an Irish lens, in an environment of fellowship. Our practice is grounded in scholarly research and artistic excellence. Choral Scholars has already produced a generation of some of Ireland s greatest artists, thinkers and leaders. By altering the course of these young lives, we are influencing the future.

9 Desmond Earley Hailed by The Irish Times as enterprising and wide-ranging, Desmond Earley, Founder and Artistic Director of the Choral Scholars of University College Dublin, has established a reputation as one of Ireland's foremost choral directors and early-keyboard specialists. Desmond is a lecturer in Performance Studies at University College Dublin (UCD) and serves as rotating Artistic Director of the UCD Ad Astra Academy. In he was Visiting Scholar at Lewis & Clark College, Oregon (USA) and Guest Conductor/Scholar at Bowdoin College, Maine (USA). As a consort instrumentalist and director, Desmond works with many of the world's finest orchestras including the Portland Baroque Orchestra, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Irish Baroque Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, European Union Chamber Orchestra and English Chamber Orchestra. Desmond has also collaborated with some of the world's great musicians including Sir James Galway, Roy Goodman, Christopher Hogwood, Monica Huggett, and Konrad Junghaenel. As a celebrated composer and arranger, Desmond has published works with Music Sales (UK), Hal Leonard Corporation (USA), Alliance Music (USA) and with Seolta Music (IRL) where he serves as editor of the international College Choral Series. His acclaimed work Body of the Moon (2017) based on a setting of texts by Galileo Galilei, was commissioned by All Classical Portland Radio (USA) for the total solar eclipse across the United States of America. He has created special arrangements for renowned ensembles including the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, the Portland Symphony Orchestra (Maine, USA), Tenebrae (UK), and the Irish Baroque Orchestra. The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin

10 Celebrating JOIN US AT ONE OF OUR CONCERTS THIS SEASON: DUBLIN: CHORAL CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS (TICKETS) 8pm, December 2018, Newman University Church NEW YORK: CHORAL SCHOLARS AT CARNEGIE HALL (TICKETS) 7.30pm, Friday 15 March 2019, Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall DUBLIN: CHORAL SCHOLARS 20TH ANNIVERSARY GALA CONCERT (TICKETS) 7.30pm, Thursday 25 April 2019, National Concert Hall OTHER EXCITING PLANS FOR THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY YEAR OF THE CHOIR IN 2018/2019: The recording of a third album for Signum Classics Launch of Choral Scholars Endowment-Fund Campaign New commissions and world premieres The release of a highly-anticipated second album on Signum Classics The production and release of new music videos for our growing digital audience on YouTube

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12 WHAT THE Experts say: The Choral Scholars is one of the best choirs I ve worked with on my live tour. Hans Zimmer, Film Composer & Performer The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin is one of the finest college choirs I have ever heard on my travels: such fabulous intonation, blend and musicality. Nigel Short, Artistic Director, Tenebrae Choir A fantastic choir! Bill Whelan, Composer and Arranger, Riverdance The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin

13 WHAT THE Critics say: Blending folk voices with choral precision and tight harmony isn t easy, but Desmond Earley has a passionate stake in both and doesn t put a foot wrong here. Too many highlights to list, but Ivo Antognini s War and Peace stand out, as do a lovely arrangement for tenor of Black is the Colour and Earley s own He wishes for the cloths of Heaven (after Yeats) [ ] Choir & Organ Magazine review of Invisible Stars

14 Fans say: WHAT THE My 6-year-old daughter Katherine and I made an ancestral journey from Kentucky to Ireland for a week during Christmas. Somehow we stumbled upon the Choral Scholars Invisible Stars album and she has been hooked ever since. We now listen to it every night! Thank you so much for producing this album. You now have given a 6-year-old from Kentucky even more to aspire to. Betsy Wade, Louisville, Kentucky, USA The music has been such a gift. Thank you and congratulations on the production of a truly world class choir that is bringing joy, comfort and strength to many people around the world. It is helping us process, express and journey through life's joys and challenges. Matt Chapman, Auckland, New Zealand

15 WHAT THE Scholars say: Twenty years later, when I think of University College Dublin, the Choral Scholars is what comes to mind every time the Choral Scholars family was not only the most important at the time, it is also the one that has vividly stayed with me over the years. Stephen Fennelly (class of 1999) Being a scholar was one of the most formative elements of my college experience. It was a chance to use a different part of the brain, discover works of art and expressions of culture that would have never come my way through other student avenues, and feel a great sense of achievement for working hard with a close group of people achieving great things! Linda O Halloran (class of 2007) My four years with the Choral Scholars was the most memorable period of my life during which I gained invaluable transferable skills and life-long friends. I continued my studies at Duke University School of Law and I can proudly say that the inter-disciplinary model, work ethic, and pursuit of excellence that the Choral Scholars cultivates is unrivalled. My experience with the Choral Scholars played a critical role in securing my position as a lawyer with a prestigious corporate law firm in New York City. Óisín O Callaghan (class of 2015) The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin

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18 young artists this passion for excellence part of this exciting journey The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin relies on a network of supporters, advisers and artistic partners to deliver an ambitious programme of musical activity each year. Your support can transform the experience of each scholar. If you can be part of this mission to provide outstanding opportunities to students and bring Irish choral music to new audiences, please contact: Gráinne O Hogan, Ensemble Manager at choralscholars@ucd.ie or

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