The Lawrence University Concert Choir
The Lawrence University Concert Choir, directed by Richard.L.Bjella, has performed with such diverse
ensembles as Musica Sacra, Dave Brubeck and his quartet, and the
National Choir of Israel. In 1992 they appeared at the North Central
Divisional Convention of the ACDA and in March 1995 they performed at
the National Kodaly Music Educators Convention in Minneapolis. Last
fall their live performance of the Verdi Requiem was released on CD.
Their recent CD "A Time for Remembrance" was given national recognition
in the May 5th, 1995 issue of the Chronicle for Higher Education. The
choir was the first to record "Songs of Children" by Robert Convery, a
cantata of nine poems written by children interned at Terezin, a Nazi
concentration camp. In February 1996 they were the first choir ever to
perform at the Regional Bandmasters Association Convention. This year
they performed in New Orleans at the National Kodaly Music Educators
Convention and received two standing ovations during their 30 minute
performance. The choir is dedicated to performing both traditional and
contemporary choral literature to the highest standards.
They have sung with such noted conductors as Richard Westenburg,
Margaret Hillis, Paul Salamunovich, Sir David Willcocks and Don Moses.
They have appeared on state, regional and national ACDA conventions in
recent years as well as the National Kodaly Music Educators Convention
in New Orleans this year. Major works performed recently include the
Bach B Minor Mass, Verdi Requiem (on CD), Mahler Resurrection
Symphony, Beethoven Ninth Symphony (on CD), the Bach St. John Passion
and Magnificat, Stravinskyıs Les Noces and Songs of Children by Robert
Convery (on CD).
The choirıs membership represents many areas of musical study in the
conservatory as well as the liberal arts disciplines. Our newest CD,
"Voices..." will be released by Christmas featuring many contemporary
American composers including Samuel Barber, Norman Dinnerstein, Eric
Whiteacre and Moses Hogan with a wide array of poets from the classical
and folk traditions. In addition, the music of Australian composer
Sarah Hopkins, Finnish Composer Einojuhani Rauavaara, Czech composer
Zdenek Lukas, Mongolian composer Se Enkhbayar, English composer Gustav
Holst and others are also featured. In addition, a portion of the
B Minor Mass performance given in the Lawrence Memorial Chapel, June 3,
1999.
Contact details and further information
For further details of Lawrence University, Conservatory of Music see http://www.lawrence.edu/conservatory/
E-mail Richard.L.Bjella, Director
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