Spring Concert Tour Final Performance April 7

April 2, 2009

The second collaborative tour of Exeter's Concert Choir and Chamber Orchestra took place to rave reviews during spring vacation. Don't miss the final performance this coming Tuesday, April 7, at 7:00 p.m. in Phillips Church, Exeter. See the program...

Concert Choir at the The Church of St. Mary the Virgin"The tour was exceptional," says Ryan Turner, Exeter's director of choral studies and concert series manager. "Our student musicians grew a tremendous amount, both musically and personally, over the course of 5 days. Their performances displayed remarkable focus, musicality and passion."
Hear Capriol Suite by Peter Warlock...
Hear Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir, BWV 131 by J. S. Bach...

Evan '11, a tenor, enjoyed the camaraderie and the challenges of performing: "I loved singing the Bach. When we first got the piece, we were taken aback at how difficult it looked. We weren't sure that we could really master it. But as we went along, with help from the Emmanuel musicians, we really started to get the hang of it. In the end, we were all so proud of how we had pulled it together to a really solid, beautiful work."

During the tour, which started on March 14, 55 students performed at Emmanuel Church in Boston; Cathedral of St. John in Providence, RI; and at The Church of St. Mary the Virgin in New York City.

French horn soloist in New YorkIn Boston, students had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform the featured piece, Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir, BWV 131 by Bach, with musicians from Boston-based Emmanuel Music, the world's premiere institution for Bach performances. Prior to the tour, Emmanuel musicians came to Exeter for a residency of rehearsals and workshops with students. Exonians will repeat the collaboration with Emmanuel Music in Exeter, on April 7.

The Boston performance was also notable for guest conductor, John Harbison—Pulitzer Prize-winning composer—who led the students in one of his own compositions, Communion Words.

Jae '09, a cellist, loved working with professional musicians. "For me, the time we spent with the musicians from Emmanuel Music was the highlight of tour," he says. "From playing with them I learned a great deal of musicianship, and learned a better way to interpret our repertoire."

Evan most enjoyed singing in New York's Church of St. Mary the Virgin. "It was an amazing location, right in the heart of Times Square," he explains. "And it was really beautiful inside. The acoustics were incredible. After we would sing a note or the orchestra would finish a chord, it would reverberate throughout the space to make a beautiful sound."

During their travels, students also performed outreach concerts at Central High School in Bridgeport, CT, and Bronx Preparatory Charter School in the Bronx, NY. "These concerts are very important," Turner says, "because they illuminate the joys of making music for the younger generation."

Chamber Orchestra receives applauseThe students were conducted by Turner and Rohan Smith, Chamber Orchestra leader and chair of the Music Department.

The collaboration with Emmanuel Music is made possible by the Gilbert Music Fund. In 1998, former Academy trustee Clint Gilbert '47 and wife Jane established the Jane and Clint Gilbert Music Fund to enhance the study and performance of music at the Academy. The Gilbert Fund grew out of the Gilberts' belief in the value of striving for excellence—be it a personal best, a technically perfect or a visionary performance—through music, especially classical music. Each year, the fund brings concert artists of national and international distinction together with Academy students for performances, master classes, workshops and other learning experiences focused on musical excellence. All performances are free and open to the public.

Interested in learning more?

Read the concert tour program...

Hear Capriol Suite by Peter Warlock, recorded at Emmanuel Church in Boston...

Hear Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir, BWV 131 by J. S. Bach, recorded at Emmanuel Church in Boston...

Hear selections from last year's spring tour, videotaped in Phillips Church on March 3, 2008 ...

Read about Exeter's Music Department…