CHAUTAUQUA CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016 The Chautauqua Choral Festival provides singers an opportunity to sing, study and perform in a mass choral ensemble, presenting a concert at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, June 28 in Hoover Auditorium. The festival, titled In God We Trust, includes choral repertoire comprised of patriotic tributes combined with hymns of faith, which will create a perfect blend of faith and celebrate the values of freedom. Festival singers will enjoy a weekend schedule from June 25-26 that includes rehearsals and choral workshops in vocal and performance practices, as well as the opportunity to sing as part of the Hoover Community Worship Service on Sunday. Singers come together to rehearse as the Chautauqua Festival Chorus that will continue its schedule with a dress rehearsal with the Chautauqua Chamber Orchestra on Monday, June 27 and then the festival concert on Tuesday, June 28. The Chautauqua Choral Festival will also offer an extended option for singers to participate in vocal master classes focusing on singing and vocal technique development, church choir repertoire, enhancing church choir programs and developing instrumentalists and successful praise teams for church music programs on Monday, June 27 and Tuesday, June 28. See the entire festival schedule for more information about these opportunities. These additional special session workshops are included with the Chautauqua Choral Festival registration. FESTIVAL CONCERT: In God We Trust Featuring the Chautauqua Festival Chorus & Chamber Orchestra Michael J. Shirtz, conductor Dr. C. Andrew Blosser, tenor Tuesday, June 28, 8:15 p.m. The festival concert, titled In God We Trust, features the Chautauqua Festival Chorus and Chamber Orchestra sharing the story of America, her heroes and the faith and music of her people. Through stories shared by a series of narrators, performances with festival guest artist Dr. C. Andrew Blosser, and special honors to our service men and women, this concert promises to be a beautiful tribute. CHORAL FESTIVAL CONCERT REPERTOIRE I Hear America Singing (by Andre Thomas) (1873785 / 3302370) Bound for the Promised Land (arr. Mack Wilberg) It is Well with My Soul (arr. Tom Fettke) (10029636 / 10029638) How Great Thou Art (arr. Mark Hayes) (10046456 / 10046458) He Never Failed Me Yet (by Robert Ray) (1424092 / 10002660) Rise Above (by Michael Shirtz) World Premier This Is America Armed Forced Tribute (arr. David Clydesdale) God Bless America (arr. Joseph Martin) (10340353 / 10340356) America (arr. Mary McDonald) (10276246 / 10276251) (Singers have the option to borrow their music through Lakeside Chautauqua, or they may purchase it on their own through JW Pepper. Music numbers are listed next to the music. Michael Shirtz s Rise Above and Mack Wilberg s Bound for the Promised Land will be mailed to participants after registering.)
CHORAL FESTIVAL SCHEDULE Saturday, June 25 9:30 a.m. Check in begins at the Fountain Inn 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Opening Chorus Rehearsal with Michael Shirtz Chautauqua Hall 2:00-5:00 p.m. Chorus Rehearsal with Michael Shirtz Chautauqua Hall 5:15 p.m. Dinner on your own 8:15 p.m. Herman s Hermits starring Peter Noone concert Hoover Auditorium (optional with pass) Sunday, June 26 9:00-10:00 a.m. Chorus Rehearsal with Michael Shirtz Hoover Auditorium 10:30-11:30 a.m. Hoover Community Worship Service Hoover Auditorium 2:00-4:00 p.m. Chorus Rehearsal with Michael Shirtz Hoover Auditorium 5:15 p.m. Dinner on your own 6:00 p.m. Adelee & Gentry Steele Memorial Bandstand (optional with pass) 7:30 p.m. Conversation with Michael Shirtz & Dr. C. Andrew Blosser Chautauqua Hall Monday, June 27 (*Optional Daytime Workshops) 10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. *Vocal Master Class I with Dr. C. Andrew Blosser Chautauqua Hall 2:00-2:50 p.m. * Developing Your Church Choir Workshop with Amy Johnston Blosser, Chautauqua Hall 3:00-3:50 p.m. * Developing Your Church Instrumentalists Workshop with Douglas Neel - Chautauqua Hall 4:00-6:00 p.m. Orchestra Rehearsal Hoover Auditorium (optional: open to public) Chorus Members need not attend 4:00-7:00 p.m. Chorus Members - Dinner on your own 7:00-9:00 p.m. Chorus & Orchestra Rehearsal Hoover Auditorium Tuesday, June 28 (*Optional Daytime Workshops) 10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. *Vocal Master Class II with Dr. C. Andrew Blosser Chautauqua Hall 2:00-2:50 p.m. * Church Choir Repertoire/Reading Session Workshop with Amy Johnston Blosser Chautauqua Hall 3:00-3:50 p.m. * Developing Your Praise Band Workshop with Douglas Neel Chautauqua Hall 5:00-6:00 p.m. Festival Chorus Dinner ($6/person) Train Station 6:15 p.m. Call/Warm Up & Sound Check Hoover Auditorium 8:15 p.m. Festival Concert: In God We Trust Hoover Auditorium
FESTIVAL CLINICIANS & STAFF ARTISTIC DIRECTOR / CONDUCTOR Michael J. Shirtz A jazz singer/pianist, composer and educator, Michael Shirtz has conducted and performed with numerous organizations, including the Martin Luther King Festival Chorus, Columbus Symphony, African American Composers Festival, Donald Brinegar Singers, California Philharmonic Orchestra, and festival and regional choruses in California, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. As a music director/collaborator, Shirtz has worked with Melissa Manchester, Jim Brickman, Elizabeth Von Trapp and Ellen Winters and currently works with Maureen McGovern and Mary McClendon. Managed and produced by OCM Productions, Shirtz is an active performing artist with the Michael Shirtz Quartet and with festivals, radio appearances and recording studio engagements. He has served on the faculty of the Conservatory of Music at Capital University, American Music Academy and currently serves as a professor and lead faculty for the Department of Music & Humanities at Terra State Community College in Fremont, Ohio. At Terra State, he is also the conductor of the Terra Choral Society & Chamber Arts Orchestra, recently considered one of Northern Ohio s premier choruses. Shirtz is the choral conductor at Lakeside Chautauqua where he directs the Chautauqua Choir and Chautauqua Singers. He also serves as associate conference coordinator and chair of development for the Jazz Education Network, coordinator of the Northcoast Arts Alliance, a partner in S&S Strategies and presents nationally on arts impact and the creative economy. He received a Bachelor of Music in jazz and contemporary studies from the Conservatory of Music at Capital University and a Masters of Music in conducting from California State University in Los Angeles. His music is published under his own label, Shirtz Music Press (SMP), and his articles and work have been printed in the Choral Journal and CSULA Publications. Shirtz resides with his wife, Pamela, in Sandusky, Ohio. Shirtz is known for his choral tributes to America and honoring servicemen and women. GUEST ARTIST / CLINICIAN Dr. C. Andrew Blosser Dr. C. Andrew Blosser, a native of Belle Center, Ohio, has performed roles in opera and musical theatre and presented master classes and recitals throughout the U.S., Austria, Hungary, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic and Switzerland. Dr. Blosser received a Bachelor of Music in vocal music education from the Conservatory of Music at Capital University, a Master of Music in voice performance and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Ohio State University. He has been a featured soloist with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Lakeside Symphony, Tuscarawas Philharmonic, South Eastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra and the Lancaster Festival Orchestra for concert and oratorio performances. Dr. Blosser performed Ralph Vaughn Williams On Wenlock Edge with the Carpe Diem String Quartet as part of the Marble Cliff Music Festival, Handel s Messiah with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and was the soloist for the world premiere performance of Te Deum, by British composer Patrick Hawes, at the Lancaster Festival. In the summer of 2013, Dr. Blosser served as cantor for services at the Berlin Cathedral, as well as the soloist for the Mozart Missa Longa at the Salzburg Cathedral. He recently performed on the recital Singing Our History, a chronological story of American history told through the works of American composers at the National Association of Teachers of Singing conference in Boston, Mass. Dr. Blosser currently serves as a senior lecturer at The Ohio State University. He previously served on the faculty of Terra State Community College, Ohio Christian University, Capital University and Muskingum University. He holds professional memberships with the National Association of Teachers of Singers (NATS), the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA), the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society and Phi Mu Alpha.
CLINICIANS Amy Johnston Blosser Amy Johnston Blosser is the ACDA National Chair for Repertoire and Standards. She has been active in planning national conferences in Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Oklahoma City, Dallas and Salt Lake City. In her thirteenth year as Director of Choirs at Bexley High School in Columbus, Ohio, Blosser conducts six choirs in grades 7-12 and was named Educator of the Year for Bexley City Schools in 2011. She was selected to serve as one of 14 Conducting Fellows for the 2015 International Conductors Exchange Program to Sweden. As one of the 14 fellows, Blosser represented the U.S. by traveling to Sweden in October 2015 and hosting Swedish conductors in February 2015. Blosser holds a Master of Music in choral conducting and Bachelor of Music Education from The Ohio State University, where she studied with Hilary Apfelstadt and James Gallagher. In addition to her work as a high school choral educator, Blosser is the Artistic Director of the Bexley Choral Society and the Director of Music at Bexley United Methodist Church. She is an active guest conductor and clinician for festival and regional honors choirs, Artistic Director of the Bexley Choral Society and the Director of Music at Bexley United Methodist Church. Blosser will lead special session workshops on Developing Your Church Choir and Church Choir Repertoire Reading Session. Douglas J. Neel Douglas J. Neel is a multi-instrumentalist from Columbus, Ohio, who specializes in performance and education. As a freelance musician, Neel has performed with numerous artists/ensembles including Trio NOT, the Michael Shirtz Quartet, The Harmony Project, The Adrian Symphony Orchestra, Walt Sanders & The Cadillac Band, Canta BRASIL, The Pinup Project, The Conspiracy Band, Yumbambé, Paul Brown s Science Gravy Orchestra, Central Ohio Brass Band, The Dominion Brass, the Scott Gwinnell Jazz Orchestra, the Student Loan, Soul Kitch n, Matt King & The Roustabout Band, and the Broadway touring shows of Hairspray, A Chorus Line and Chicago. Additionally, Neel has shared the stage with such greats as Melissa Manchester, Mary McClendon, Jay Ashby, Elizabeth Von Trapp, Ernie Krivda, Aretha Franklin, and continues to lead his own Trio/4tet on a variety of performances. Neel is on the faculty of Capital University s Conservatory of Music, Mt. Vernon Nazarene University and the University of Findlay. In addition to being a Performing Artist for Benedetto Guitars, Neel is also an Edwards Trombones Affiliated Artist, and performs throughout the region as a trombonist, 7-string guitarist and bassist. He holds degrees from the Conservatory of Music at Capital University with a Bachelor of Music in music performance and Bowling Green State University s College of Musical Arts with a Master of Music in a dual specialization. A member of the Sunrise at Bexley UMC, Neel will be leading workshops in working with instrumentalists and developing praise bands. REGISTRATION & PARTICIPATION FEE ($40) To participate in the Chautauqua Choral Festival, singers must pay a $40 registration fee that includes a Chautauqua Pass for the singer and one guest, admission to the Saturday evening Hoover concert and Sunday Steele Memorial Bandstand/Gazebo concert, and music usage fee. Additional fees for participation in voice lessons and a festival dinner option (additional $6) are listed on the registration form and can be paid with the registration fee. Singers must complete the registration form and submit to Lakeside by Tuesday, June 21. The chorus and participation in some festival activities is limited, so singers should register ASAP.
CONCERT ATTIRE Attire for the concert is as follows, men: white shirts, black pants and black shoes (no ties). Women: black tops (blouses or shirts), black skirts/slacks or black dress, black shoes and limited jewelry. Short sleeves and dressing cool for the performance is encouraged. For rehearsals, please dress comfortably. SPECIAL SESSION WORKSHOPS (Optional) Unique to this festival are a series of special session workshops that are made optional for the singers/festival participants to attend on Monday, June 27 and Tuesday, June 28 during the day. These sessions are free with festival registration and feature vocal master classes with Dr. C. Andrew Blosser and workshop clinicians Amy Johnston Blosser and Douglas J. Neel of Bexley UMC in Columbus, Ohio. Vocal Master Classes I & II with Dr. C. Andrew Blosser These master classes provide singers the opportunity to sing and receive feedback from voice teacher Dr. C. Andrew Blosser. Students wishing to participate by singing in the class should submit a title of a piece from sacred/secular classical repertoire, or a selection from the musical theatre catalogue. A copy of the score should also be submitted for the provided accompanist. For questions, contact DBlosser at blosser.31@osu.edu. Those attending the voice master classes will also receive information from Dr. Blosser on basic health and vocal technique for good singing as both a solo and ensemble singer. Developing Your Church Choir Workshop with Amy Johnston Blosser Intended for directors and choir members who desire a deeper connection in their faith while leading music in worship Church Choir Repertoire/Reading Session with Amy Johnston Blosser Intended for directors and choir members looking to learn new literature for their church choirs. Developing Your Church Instrumentalists with Douglas Neel Open Q&A with Douglas Neel; discussions will center around locating musicians, programming repertoire, rehearsal techniques, finances, etc. Developing Your Praise Band with Douglas Neel Session discussions will center around rehearsal techniques, writing charts/sheet music, speaking Rhythm Section, 101, finding musicians, sponsorships/patrons, etc. VOICE LESSONS Participants have the option of taking a private voice lesson with vocal clinicians during the festival. Voice lessons are designed to listen to the voice and provide one-on-one techniques and coaching for the singer s personal development. The lesson fee is $35 for a 30-minute lesson with festival guest artist Dr. C. Andrew Blosser or assigned festival clinicians. There are limited lesson times available; therefore it is important for singers interested to register early preferably during check in on Saturday. Lessons scheduled on a first come/first serve basis.
Participant Name: 2016 CHAUTAUQUA CHORAL FESTIVAL REGISTRATION FORM Registration deadline June 21, 2016 Address (Street, City, Zip): Phone: Email: Emergency Contact (Name, Phone, Relation): Voice Part: Home Choir (Optional): I will purchase my own music to bring with me to the festival I will use Lakeside s music (I understand I will return this music following the festival) I plan to attend the festival dinner on Tuesday, June 28 at 5:00 p.m. (additional $6) TOTAL: Choral Festival Registration ($40) with Tuesday Dinner ($46) Make checks payable to: Lakeside Chautauqua Credit Card: Cardholder s Name: Card Number Address (Full): CVC: Exp. Date For information on lodging at Lakeside, please visit www.lakesideohio.com/accommodations or call (866) 952-5374, ext. 230. Guest Pass Information (required) Name: Address (Street, City Zip): Phone: Email: Special Session Workshops I will attend the following special session workshops offered on Monday, June 27 & Tuesday, June 28: (Please check sessions you plan to attend for adequate material preparation) Voice Master Class I: Monday, June 27, 10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Voice Master Class II: Tuesday, June 28, 10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Developing Your Church Choir: Monday, June 27, 2:00 p.m. Church Choir Repertoire Reading Session: Tuesday, June 28, 2:00 p.m. Developing Your Church Instrumentalists: Monday, June 27, 3:00 p.m. Developing Your Praise Band: Tuesday, June 28, 3:00 p.m.