IRELAND CHORAL FESTIVAL CO CONDUCTORS Michael McGlynn Henry Leck in association with Featuring a McGlynn world premiere The Song of the Blackbird to be sung by the combined festival choir JUNE 2019 KIconcerts.com
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Friends Ireland calls to us all in many ways its music, rolling hills, whimsical nature, ancestry, quaint towns, intense history and some of the most hospitable people you will ever meet. One of Ireland s finest contemporary composers is Michael McGlynn and one of the leading choral voices of Ireland is Anúna. I have invited Michael McGlynn to co-conduct the 2019 Ireland choral festival and KIconcerts is commissioning a new work from him, The Song of the Blackbird to be premiered by the combined Festival choir. McGlynn proposes: 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. There is nothing that compares for a singer than to perform a world premiere under the direction of the composer this is a memory of a lifetime. In addition to the premiere piece we are proposing to sing three other McGlynn pieces Dúlamán, Jerusalem and An Oíche along with American repertoire I will select. Choirs registering early will also have the opportunity of a workshop with singers from Anúna! I look forward to hosting you in Ireland with KIconcerts. We will stage individual concerts for our participating choirs in addition to rehearsing and staging our combined choir gala concert in a prestigious Dublin venue. See you in Dublin!!! Henry Leck Artistic Director & Conductor Ireland 2019 with Michael McGlynn & Henry Leck 3
LEADER HENRY LECK Founder and Conductor Laureate Indianapolis Children s Choir Professor Emeritus Choral Music Butler University An internationally recognized choral director, Henry Leck is a professor emeritus in choral music at Butler University, where he served on the faculty for 27 years. He is the Founder and Conductor Laureate of the Indianapolis Children s Choir and Indianapolis Youth Chorale. His choirs have performed regularly for national ACDA, MENC, OAKE and AOSA Conferences. Mr. Leck has conducted Mixed, Men s, Women s, Junior High and Children s All-State choirs and festival choirs in nearly every state. He is a frequent conductor of regional and national honor choirs, including the ACDA Southern, Southwest, North Central, Central, Western and Northwest Honors Choirs. In the spring of 2003, he conducted the ACDA National Junior High/Middle School Honor Choir in New York City and in 2011, the ACDA National Children s Honor Choir in Chicago. On three occasions he has conducted National Honor Choirs for OAKE. Mr. Leck recently arranged and conducted the national anthem for Kelly Clarkson and the Indianapolis Children s Choir at the Super Bowl XLVI. Mr. Leck has conducted annually at Carnegie Hall for nearly 30 years and conducts internationally every year. He teaches and conducts regularly in China, Brazil, and throughout Europe. He is a member of the World Choir Council and often is on the international jury of choral events. Mr. Leck has received many honors including the Sagamore of the Wabash and the State of Indiana Distinguished Hoosier Award from the Governor of the state of Indiana. He has received the Indiana Governor s Arts Award which is the highest honor one can receive in the arts in Indiana. Recently Mr. Leck was named a recipient of the Lowell Mason Fellows Award which is the highest award given by the NAfME. He also recently received the Indiana Living Legend award from the Indiana Historical Society. Mr. Leck is widely known as a specialist in choral techniques at all levels, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Laban, the child s voice and the boy s changing voice. He has produced four teaching DVDs titled Vocal Techniques for the Young Singer, The Boy s Expanding Voice: Take the High Road, Creating Artistry through Movement, Dalcroze Eurhythmics and Creating Artistry with the Male Maturing Voice. He was a lead author for the choral textbook series published by McGraw Hill/Glencoe titled Experiencing Choral Music and is the lead author of a new series of textbooks entitled Voices in Concert. He is also the editor of two nationally known choral series published by Hal Leonard Corporation and Colla Voce, Inc. He has written a textbook titled, Creating Artistry through Choral Excellence. Mr. Leck received his training from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, the University of Colorado and Indiana University. 4
MICHAEL McGLYNN LEADER Born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1964. He came late to choral music, singing in his first choir at the age of nineteen. Despite the rich and sophisticated musical forms that lie at the centre of Irish traditional music, choral music does not exist as part of that tradition. His love of traditional song and the literary culture of his homeland led him to create the choral ensemble ANÚNA, Ireland s National Choir in 1987 as both a vehicle for his compositions and a unique choral form for Ireland. Michael s unique vision for the development of choral music has resulted in the hugely successful Anúna Education and Outreach program. He has led workshops, seminars and lectured on his music and the ANÚNA Methodology of choral performance all over the world including at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and in March 2015 was invited to present a session dedicated to his work at the American Choral Directors Association National Conference in Salt Lake, Utah. Michael s compositional language combines elements of modality with a contemporary sensibility. This is fused with chordal clusters and a distinctive melodic awareness influenced strongly by traditional Irish song (sean nós). His choral work has been commissioned, recorded and performed by ensembles that include the BBC Singers, Rajaton, the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, Grammywinning ensembles Conspirare, the Kansas City and Phoenix Chorales. Recent choral commissions include Amhrán na Gaoithe for Chanticleer and O pia virgo for New York Polyphony which appears on their Grammy Nominated CD Sing Thee Nowell. He has written songs in many genres, collaborating with The Wiggles, Elvis Costello and with country music legend Rodney Crowell. His album Close Ties, released 2017, includes a song written with Michael and features Crowell duetting with Sheryl Crow. He has produced and recorded seventeen albums for ANÚNA. ANÚNA (1993), Celtic Origins (2007) and Christmas Memories (2008) have featured in the US Billboard Charts. Deep Dead Blue (1999) was nominated for a Classical Brit Award and went top five in the UK Classical Charts. Michael McGlynn/ANÚNA workshopping with Cherry Creek Girls 21 - March 2018 Ireland 2019 with Michael McGlynn & Henry Leck 5
DUBLIN ONLY SUNDAY, JUNE 23 Depart for Ireland MONDAY, JUNE 24 Arrival in Dublin Meet your KIconcerts tour manager Introduction to Dublin Check in Dinner daily TUESDAY, JUNE 25 Breakfast daily Workshop with Ireland s leading choir, Anúna (opportunities limited) Guided sightseeing tour of Dublin including St. Patrick s Cathedral which stands on the oldest Christian site in Dublin where it is said that the Saint baptized converts to the Christian faith 6
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26 Tour the beautiful countryside of the Wicklow mountains most notably the Sugar Loaf Mountains Visit Glendalough seeing its magnificent scenery and rich historical and archeological heritage. Explore the ruined 10th century monastic city famed for St. Kevin s Cross and its round tower We travel over the Wicklow Gap, viewing spectacular panoramic landscapes and the dramatic Turlogh waterfall Festival choir rehearsal with McGlynn and Leck Festival welcome dinner THURSDAY, JUNE 27 Festival choir rehearsal with McGlynn and Leck Visit Trinity College where we see the famous book of Kells, an 8th century illuminated manuscript Optional individual concert (tbd) Ireland 2019 with Michael McGlynn & Henry Leck 7
FRIDAY, JUNE 28 Dress rehearsal with McGlynn and Leck Time to explore Dublin Gala festival concert coconducted by McGlynn and Leck SATURDAY, JUNE 29 Transfer to airport for your return flight home ** Itinerary subject to change. ** Confirmation of performances is dependent upon early receipt of performance information: biographies, pictures, recordings and repertoire 8
DUBLIN & BELFAST SUNDAY, JUNE 23 Depart for Ireland MONDAY, JUNE 24 Arrival in Dublin Meet your KIconcerts tour manager Introduction to Dublin TUESDAY, JUNE 25 Breakfast daily Workshop with Ireland s leading choir, Anúna (opportunities limited) Check in Dinner daily Guided sightseeing tour of Dublin including St. Patrick s Cathedral which stands on the oldest Christian site in Dublin where it is said that the Saint baptized converts to the Christian faith Ireland 2019 with Michael McGlynn & Henry Leck 9
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26 Tour the beautiful countryside of the Wicklow mountains most notably the Sugar Loaf Mountains Visit Glendalough seeing its magnificent scenery and rich historical and archeological heritage. Explore the ruined 10th century monastic city famed for St. Kevin s Cross and its round tower THURSDAY, JUNE 27 Festival choir rehearsal with McGlynn and Leck We travel over the Wicklow Gap, viewing spectacular panoramic landscapes and the dramatic Turlogh waterfall Festival choir rehearsal with McGlynn and Leck Festival welcome dinner Visit Trinity College where we see the famous book of Kells, an 8th century illuminated manuscript Optional individual concert (tbd) FRIDAY, JUNE 28 Dress rehearsal with McGlynn and Leck Time to explore Dublin Gala festival concert coconducted by McGlynn and Leck 10
SATURDAY, JUNE 29 Travel to Brú na Bóinne archaeological landscape dominated by the three well-known large passage tombs known as Knowth, Newgrange and Dowth, built some 5,000 years ago in the Neolithic or Late Stone Age SUNDAY, JUNE 30 Visit the Giant s Causeway and walk the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge Continue Belfast Orientation tour of Belfast including seeing St. Anne s Cathedral and Belfast City Hall as well as much of the fine Victorian and Edwardian architecture Visit the Titanic Experience and relive the entire story from her birth, maiden journey and discovery on the seabed Check in Overnight Belfast Optional individual concert or continue to tour Belfast (tbd) Overnight Belfast MONDAY, JULY 1 Return flight home ** Itinerary subject to change. ** Confirmation of performances is dependent upon early receipt of performance information: biographies, pictures, recordings and repertoire Ireland 2019 with Michael McGlynn & Henry Leck 11
CORK & DUBLIN FRIDAY, JUNE 21 Depart for Ireland SATURDAY, JUNE 22 Arrival in Dublin Meet your KIconcerts tour manager Enjoy the sights of Ireland s rolling hills and quaint towns en route to Cork Visit the Rock of Cashel. Dating from the 4th century, the Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland s most spectacular landmarks. The large cathedral, ancient round tower and the very early Romanesque Cormac s Chapel, perched on a dramatic outcrop of rock, have been witnesses to many of the stirring events of Irish history (time permitting) Check in Dinner daily Overnight Cork SUNDAY, JUNE 23 Breakfast daily Tour the port town of Cobh and be immersed in the history of the Titanic s fateful departure Visit the Blarney Castle with a chance to kiss the Blarney Stone said to impart the gift of eloquence Return to Cork Overnight Cork 12
MONDAY, JUNE 24 Tour Cork seeing the magnificent River Lee, St Anne s Church, The English Market and other of Cork s sights with time to explore this vibrant 2nd city of Ireland TUESDAY, JUNE 25 Travel to Dublin Optional exchange with local choir (tbd) Optional individual concert (tbd) Overnight Cork Workshop with Ireland s leading choir, Anúna (opportunities limited) Check in WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26 Guided sightseeing tour of Dublin including St. Patrick s Cathedral which stands on the oldest Christian site in Dublin where it is said that the Saint baptized converts to the Christian faith Festival choir rehearsal with McGlynn and Leck Festival welcome dinner Ireland 2019 with Michael McGlynn & Henry Leck 13
THURSDAY, JUNE 27 Festival choir rehearsal with McGlynn and Leck Visit Trinity College where we see the famous book of Kells, an 8th century illuminated manuscript Optional individual concert (tbd) FRIDAY, JUNE 28 Dress rehearsal with McGlynn and Leck Time to explore Dublin Gala festival concert coconducted by McGlynn and Leck SATURDAY, JUNE 29 Transfer to airport for your return flight home ** Itinerary subject to change. ** Confirmation of performances is dependent upon early receipt of performance information: biographies, pictures, recordings and repertoire 14
PRODUCERS For over 35 years, KIconcerts (Kingsway International) has provided choirs and instrumental ensembles with affordable and unforgettable international and domestic custom tours and festivals. KIconcerts combines unique destinations, awe-inspiring venues, warm audiences with renowned composers, educators, conductors and musicians. Together with our talented local concert tour organizers we facilitate a deep sharing of culture the essence of performance travel. Performance travel has always presented challenges requiring a myriad of details to combine in order for life changing magical www.youtube.com/kiconcertsvideos musical moments to occur. This has never been truer than today. KI looks to partner with you in managing these challenges in new and creative ways. Our recent clients have shared their views on our tours have a look at www.kiconcerts.com/testimonials 5245 Centennial Blvd, Suite 202 Colorado Springs, CO 80919-4405 P: 719 260-0200 F: 719 598-8674 info@kiconcerts.com KIconcerts.com