Riverside City College Chamber Singers wins the Mixed Choir competition at the International Musical Eisteddfod in Llangollen!

The Riverside City College Chamber Singers under the direction of Mr. John Byun took the Mixed Choir division by storm and will compete for the "Choir of the World" title tomorrow July 11th at 9PM! For the Mixed Choir Competition they sang "Ritmus", "Te Lucis Ante Terminum", and "Hold On!"

This is a great accomplishment and we are looking forward for the final competition tomorrow for the Pavarotti trophy and the title of "Choir of the World!"

Steven Amie from the Riverside City College Chamber Singers wins Folk Song Solo Competition in Llangollen

Below is the official results page from the 2009 International Musical Eistedfodd in Llangollen, Wales with wonderful news and a great success for the Riverside City College Chamber Singers under the direction of Mr. John Byun. Steven Amie from Riverside, California won the competition and is officially the best folk song soloist.
Steven can be seen among the RCC Chamber Singers on the far right.
For a video of his performance, click the following direct link on llangollen.tv

Llangollen 2009 - Folk Song Solo

Competition 23 - Folk Song Solo

Position	Name	Country
1st	Steven Amie	USA
2nd	Zhang Xian	China
=3rd	Noeleen Ni Cholla	Eire
=3rd	Steffan Rhys Hughes	Wales

Steven, everyone in the Incantato Tours Team salutes you and congratulates you to your success.

"Tog Mi Spirad" - Riverside City College Chamber Singers sing at Christ Church in Dublin on July 6 at 1.15 pm

The theme of the Riverside City College (RCC) Chamber Singers' 2009 Incantato Tour "Tog mi Spirad" is Gaelic for "Lift my Spirit" which nicely sums up the repertoire comprised of works from both American and European composers that the singers from Riverside, California have prepared both for the tour as well as their participation the International Music Eistedfodd in Llangollen. After singing at the US Embassy on the 4th of July and at St. Bartholomew Parish on July 5, the choir is singing at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. The lunchtime concert begins at 1.15 pm.
Music plays a very important role at Christ Church Cathedral. Thus it states on the website: "Music can be plain or elaborate, but right tunes and words always signify God and His mighty acts. This is why creation, incarnation, and sanctification constitute the essence of sacred music." In Tune with Heaven, the Report of the Archbishops' Commission on Church Music.
At Christ Church, Choral services are sung five times per week during term time either by the professional mixed-adult Cathedral Choir or by the Cathedral Girls' Choir. In addition, visiting choirs are always welcome at Christ Church. Choirs come from all over the world to sing in the unique surroundings of our nine centuries-old cathedral and to enjoy life in Ireland's vibrant capital city.

For more information, please click on the following links:
Christchurch Chathedral
Dublin Events

The concert on Monday, July 6 will be the last performance in Dublin for RCC, but already on Tuesday, the first member of the choir will enter the competition in Llangollen. The choir is taking the ferry early in the morning as the Riverside City College Chamber Singers continue their journey to Wales where they will be until July 13.

For more information on the Festival & Competition in Wales, visit the official website:
Llangollen 2009

SCS Touring Choir bids farewell to 2009 Sicily and Malta

The SCS Touring Choir departed Malta on July 6 after touring Sicily & Malta with Incantato for twelve days. Six performances in prime venues, two exchanges, 7000 year old temples, ancient Greek theatres, amazing cathedrals, interesting museums... and last not least wonderful food and fun at the beaches, the group of 52 from Akron, Ohio and the Summit Choral Society surely kept busy. Incantato Tour Manager Stefania bid farewell to the group at the airport on Monday morning and all of us with them a safe return home.

Day 3 of the Riverside City College Chamber Singers Performance Tour 2009: Honorary guests for Sunday Service & RCC Concert at St. Bartholomew Dublin

On July 5th, the Riverside City College Chamber Singers under the direction of Mr. John Byun were honorary guests for the Sunday service in the St. Bartholomew's Parish Church and presented a concert after having tea and coffee with the congregation members.

"Tog Mi Spirad" - Riverside City College Chamber Singers sing at St. Bartholomew in Dublin on July 5 at 12.45 pm

"Tog mi Spirad" - is the theme of the Riverside City College Chamber Singers' 2009 Performance Tour to Ireland & Wales.
After singing at the American Embassy in Dublin as the featured guest choir for the Independence Day celebrations, the choir under the direction of Mr. John Byun is presenting its first formal concert on Sunday, July 5 at 12.45 pm at the Parish Church of St. Bartholomew - one of the prime venues in the Irish capital.
The beautiful church of St Bartholomew's, Clyde Road, was consecrated in 1867. Many of its original features are intact, such as the sanctuary mosaics and the elaborate wrought iron choir screen. The architect was Thomas Wyat. The church has always been known for its High Anglican liturgical tradition.
Since its consecrating about 130 years ago, St Bartholomew's Church in Dublin has maintained a tradition of choral services, and remains one of the few churches in Ireland that continues to do so. The gentlemen and boys sing at the 11:00am Sung Eucharist each Sunday, as well as on major festivals throughout the Church year. In addition, a choir of girl choristers was inaugurated in 2003, singing Evensong every second Sunday. The choir's repertoire is fully representative of the major styles of choral music from the sixteenth century up to the present day.
Prior to their performance, the Riverside City College Chamber Singers were invited to meet and rehearse with the resident Elgin Chorale that presents the Solemn Eucharist at 11 with "Missa de Sancta Maria Magdelene" by Willan and Bruckner's "Os justi meditabitur".
The theme of the RCC 2009 Incantato Tour "Tog mi Spirad" is Gaelic for "Lift my Spirit" which nicely sums up the repertoire comprised of works from both American and European composers that the singers from Riverside, California have prepared both for the tour as well as their participation the International Music Eistedfodd in Llangollen.
On Monday, July 6, the Riverside City College Chamber Singers, are performing at Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin. The lunchtime concert begins at 1.15 pm.

For more information, please click on the following links:
St. Bartholomew Parish
Christchurch Chathedral
Dublin Events

SCS Touring Choir concludes Incantato Performance Tour as featured guest choir for High Mass at St. John's Co-Cathedral

Malta's most prestigious church, St. john's Co-Cathedral in the capital city of Valetta, was the perfect setting for the finale performance of the 2009 SCS Incantato Tour to Sicily and Malta. The singers from Akron, Ohio were the featured guest choir for High Mass on Saturday, July 4 at 6 pm and they 43 students not only sang to a full house, but also moved Monsignor Mifsud, the rector of the cathedral, with their presentation. "I would like to thank you for singing here today and as a musician myself, I appreciate your presentation probably even more so than the others", the Priest said after the mass concluded and even allowed an encore: The spiritual "Go Where I Send Thee!" can be seen and listened to in this recording.

Day 2 of the Riverside City College Chamber Singers Performance Tour to Ireland and Wales 2009: First gig at the US Embassy in Dublin

Before going to the US Ambassador Rooney's residence, the Riverside City College Chamber Singers stopped by St. Patrick's Cathedral and sang a few pieces for a warm-up.

Riverside City College Chamber Singers celebrating with US Ambassador Rooney, the owner of the Pittsburg Steelers, at his new residence in Dublin.

SCS Touring Choir Sings Evening Mass at St. John's Co-Cathedral on July 4 at 6 pm

What a better way to celebrate the 4th of July when traveling abroad than performing in the most prestigious venue of the country. The SCS Touring Choir presents its sixth and finale performance of their 2009 Incantato Tour to Siclíly and Malta at 6 pm in Valetta.

St John’s Co-Cathedral is a gem of Baroque art and architecture. It was built as the temple of the Knights of St. John. The severe exterior of the Cathedral, built immediately after the ending of the Great Siege of 1565, is reminiscent of a military fort The Grand Masters and several knights donated gifts of high artistic value and made enormous contributions to enrich it with only the best works of art. This church is till this very day an important shrine and a sacred place of worship. The Church was designed by the Maltese military architect Glormu Cassar who designed several of the more prominent buildings in Valletta.

The painting depicting The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist (1608) by Caravaggio (1571-1610) is the most famous work in the church. Considered one of Caravaggio's masterpieces and the only painting signed by the painter, the canvas is displayed in the Oratory for which it was painted. Restored in the late 1990's in Florence, this painting is one of Caravaggio's most impressive uses of the chiaroscuro style for which he is most famous with a circle of light illuminating the scene of St John's beheading at the request of Salome. The oratory also houses Caravaggio's St Jerome III (1607–1608).

"Compliments for a wonderful event" - Joined Benefit Concert by SCS Touring Choir and Schola Cantorum Jubilate in Gozo a huge success for all

The SCS Touring Choir explored the island of Gozo as part of their 2009 Incantato Performance Tour to the islands of Sicily and Malta on July 3. The day full of educational yet fun sightseeing concluded with a highlight performance in the National Shrine of Ta' Pinu to a large and appreciative audience.
Incantato Tours presented the concert in collaboration with the Gozitan Choir Schola Cantorum Jubiltae. Soprano Ms. Marouska Attard, the director of Schola, presented two soli accompanied by SCS pianist Mrs. Kathy Reichenberger and guest conducted "Jesu Dulcis Memoria" by Maltese composer Paul Portelli who was in the audience. Despite only a short preparation time, the American singers enchanted the audience by performing this Maltese work. "It is a very special moment for me", composer Portelli said.
For 17 of the 43 young women and men, this was also the last concert with the SCS Touring Choir as the have graduated high school and are off to college. The encore spiritual thus moved several of the singers to tears.
Father Gerard of Ta Pinu thanked both choirs and Incantato Tours for "making this excellent concert possible" He continue by saying: "Compliments for a wonderful event" and expressed the hope that he can soon host a fine choir from the US in his church again.

For videos from this and other Incantato Performance Tour concert, please visit http://www.youtube.com/incantatotours

SCS Touring Choir Highlight Concert in collaboration with Schola Cantorum Jubilate at Ta Pinu Basilica in Gozo on July 3 at 7:30 pm

The Summit Choral Society's Children Touring Choir from Akron, Ohio is presenting a concert of sacred music benefitting the restoration of the Ta' Pinu National Shrine in Gozo. "Sing!" is the theme of the 2009 Incantato Performance Tour to Sicily and Malta. The simple word "Sing" or "Kanta" in Maltese and "Canta" in Italian sums up the joy of bringing people together through music. The youth choir with 42 voices is directed by Mrs. Arlene Jacobs. The singers present a repertoire of classical and modern works from European and American composers and also an original composition written especially for the journey to the islands by American composer Dorn Younger who will be joining the choir on tour. The concert is organized in collaboration with Schola Cantorum Jubilate from Gozo and thus the American singers added a composition by Maltese composer Paul Portelli to their repertoire. A special highlight will be a clinic with Marouska Attard from Schola Cantorum Jubilate prior to the benefit concert at Ta´ Pinu. Ms. Attard will be singing two soli during the concert and is also going to conduct the American youth when they sing Portelli’s “Jesu dulcis memoria”. The concert starts at 7:30 pm and the entrance is free. Donations are appreciated.

The concert starts at 7:30 pm, the audience is kindly asked to be seated by 7:15 pm.

Ta' Pinu was built in a neo-romantic style which means that the designer rejected or abandoned the use of the devices of avant-garde modernism and followed an older tradition. This is a national shrine and a center of pilgrimages for both the Gozitans and the Maltese as it is told on several accounts that the voice of Mary has been heard from inside. The present church was started in 1920 and consecrated in 1931.

Riverside City College Chamber Singers are heading to Ireland & Wales

The Riverside City College Chamber Singers directed by Mr. John Byun are departing California on July 2 to Ireland & Wales. Their 2009 Incantato Performance Tour starts in Dublin and continues to Llangollen where the choir is participating and competing in the 2009 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod from July 7 through July 12.

Here is some information on the director and singers:John Byun received his Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of California, Irvine and his Master’s in Choral Conducting from California State University, Long Beach. He is the director of Choral and Vocal Activities at Riverside City College, where he directs the Chamber Singers and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Mr. Byun is also the artistic director of the Temecula Valley Master Chorale and is one of the co-directors of Arrowbear Music Camp. He has been the guest conductor for the Irvine, San Juan Capistrano, and Long Beach district honor choirs, the SCVA Men’s Honor Choir and the Central California Women’s Honor Choir. Before coming to RCC, he was the director of choirs at Murrieta Valley High School for ten years. Mr. Byun has performed with the Orange County Pacific Chorale, as one of the bass contract singers, and has worked with Opera Pacific Chorus and Long Beach Opera Chorus. Mr. Byun resides in Temecula with his wife Mary and children Mikail and Jade.

The Riverside City College Chamber Singers are a select group of singers performing music from Renaissance to Contemporary. In addition to home concerts on campus, the Chamber Singers participate in many Collegiate Invitational Festivals including Chapman University, Biola University, CSU Long Beach, and others. The Singers also tour every year and past tours have included New York, Hawaii, Seattle, San Francisco, and Europe.

SCS Touring Choir warmly welcomed by Maltese audience at St. Helen's Church - "You sound angelic"

The SCS Touring Choir was warmly welcomed by the Maltese audience in the magnificent church of St. Helen's in Birkirkara. Singers and guests alike instantly fell in love with the beautifully decorated venue and their hosts. The singers from Akron, Ohio were the featured guest choir for High Mass and a benefit concert in aid of Richmond Foundation Malta. Father Charles asked two of the singers, Elisabeth Berkovitz and Patrick Tregoning to introduce their choir to the congregation. "It is our honor to welcome you here and we wish you all the best for your journeys", he said and complimented the Summit Choral Society. The singers truly enjoyed singing for the appreciative and music loving Maltese although they were a bit tired from the journey to Malta from Sicily via ferry boat that very morning followed by fun times at the beach of the Paradise Bay Hotel where the group is staying. "You sound angelic", added a representative from the Richmond Foundation. The NGO was thankful for the choir's help to raise awareness for their cause: "A mentally healthy community".

The next formal concert is on July 3 at 7:30 pm at Ta' Pinu Basilica in Gozo.

SCS Touring Choir Performance at St. Helen in Birkirkara on July 1

The SCS Touring Choir performs on Wednesday, July 1, at 6:30 pm at St. Helen's Church in Birkirkara - one of the oldest and most prestigious churches on the island.
St. Helen is also the titular saint of the parish. The church became a Collegiate church in 1630 and a Minor Basilica on in the 20th century.
Birkirkara is the largest population center on the Islands and has been so since the Middle Ages. Most of present-day Birkirkara is modern, though the town retains a traditional core characterized by alleyways, narrow streets and houses typical of small villages. The larger town houses tend to be used as headquarters for band clubs or political parties. A tiny garden separates the town's older area from the new quarters. Here you can see one of the old railway stations on the commuter line that ran from Rabat to Valletta. Apart from the churches, the oldest buildings in the town are the windmills. One is a private residence, the other, at the heart of the town, is an art gallery. Known locally as `Ta' Ganu' it hosts exhibitions by local and foreign artists.
The SCS Touring Choir is the featured guest choir for High Mass and will also present a short concert afterwards. Donations collected during the performances will benefit the Richmond Foundation Malta.