Wooster Chorus Spring Tour Opens in Wooster on March 8
WOOSTER – The highly acclaimed Wooster Chorus, an ensemble of 60 student musicians from The College of Wooster, will perform at the First Presbyterian Church of Wooster (621 College Ave.), on Friday, March 8, at 7:30 p.m., the opening concert of the group’s 55th annual spring tour.
Directed by Lisa Wong, the Wooster Chorus will present “All of Us,” accompanied by Toni Arnold-Shreve (piano) and Andrew Sords (violin). The program surveys the voices of groups or individuals who have been historically marginalized. Highlights include Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw’s “Her beacon-hand beckons” and Ted Hearne’s “Because.” Wooster senior composition major, Jeremy Smucker, will also premiere his new work, “small hands.” The performance will conclude with Craig Hella Johnson’s title selection “All of Us” from “Considering Matthew Shepard.”
Wong is in her 10th year at The College of Wooster, where she is an associate professor teaching courses in conducting and music education and directs the Wooster Chorus. In addition to her duties at Wooster, she is the director of choruses for the Cleveland Orchestra. She holds a bachelor of science degree in music education from West Chester University, and master of music and doctor of music degrees in choral conducting from Indiana University.
Founded in 1964, the Wooster Chorus consists of students representing all academic areas within The College of Wooster’s liberal arts program. Three-time finalists and recipient of a 2017 Honorable Mention for the American Prize in Choral Performance, the Chorus has been praised for its beautiful sound, high level of artistry, and engaging performances. The Chorus collaborates annually with the Cleveland Orchestra and Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, and has recently premiered works by Eric Whitacre and Jake Runestad. The Chorus has performed at the Central Division Conference of the American Choral Directors Association, and also several times at the state conference of the Ohio Music Education Association.
There is no admission fee for the performance, but a freewill offering will be taken. Additional information is available by phone 330-263-2616 or e-mail troblee@wooster.edu.
Posted in News on March 4, 2019.
