Biola University Chorale singing for the Mayor in Weimar, Germany

Biola to sing at J.S. Bach's tomb on Thursday, April 12 at noon

A special highlight awaits the singers of the Biola University Choral Ensemble on Thursday, April 12, 2012 as they continue their journey in the footsteps of the great composer Johann Sebastian Bach to Leipzig. Not only will the choir under the direction of Mrs. Shawna Stewart be visiting "his church", but also present a short concert at his tomb.
The great Thomaskirche is one of the main highlights of Leipzig, a town many refer to as the “City of Music.” Thomaskirche houses many renowned musicians, including the Boys Choir, as well as the final resting place of the grand composer Johann Sebastian Bach. Today people come from all over the world to the Church of St. Thomas to experience church services, unique performances from the Boys Choir and the Gewandhaus Orchestra, as well as intricate organ concerts.

Thomaskirche once served as a critical pawn during the Christian Reformation, as Martin Luther often preached in the 12^th century church. In 1355 the original Romanesque chancel was remodeled in a Gothic scheme, coinciding with the congregation’s split from the Roman Catholic Church.

Johann Sebastian Bach served as the choir director at Thomaskirche from 1723 until his death in 1750. A statue of Bach standing outside the church’s entrance was dedicated in the composer’s memory in 1908. Although renovations in the mid-1800s resulted in the removal of all Baroque equipment, a commemorative Bach organ, in the style of the original used by Bach, was installed in the sanctuary in 2000. The older romantic organ also remains, but is considered “unsuitable” for playing Bach’s music and is only used when appropriate.

The roof’s unusual 63 degree angle and sanctuary’s intricately designed vaulted ceilings result in unbelievable acoustics and highly complimentary reverberation.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Media coverage for the first Biola Concert in Germany

THEATER, OPER, KONZERTE

Konzert: Biola University Chorale

Der Biola University Chorale aus La Mirada, Kalifornien (USA)

Eintritt frei (Spenden für die Kirchgemeinde erbeten)

Mo 09.04.2012 19:30

Der Eintritt ist frei

Veranstaltungsort:
Lutherkirche (Apolda)

Der Biola University Chorale besteht aus 33 Sängerinnen und Sängern, alles Studenten und zum Großteil mit Spezialisierung in Stimme und Gesang haben. 

Der musikalische Schwerpunkt des Chors reicht von klassischer Literatur über zeitgenössische amerikanische Musik bis hin zu Jazz, Gospel und Spirituals. 

Der Biola University Chorale tourt jährlich national, alle 
vier Jahre international. In Europa war die Gruppe schon in Deutschland, Österreich, Ungarn, der Tschechischen Republik und Italien.

Jedes Jahr ist der Biola University Chorale Gastgeber eines zweitägigen Festivals fϋr Chöre aus Schulen und Universitäten.

Jeden Frühling präsentiert der Chor gemeinsam mit 
dem Biola Symphonie Orchester ein bedeutendes Werk, u.a. Waltons Belshazzar’s Feast, Beethovens Symphonie No. 9, Poulencs Gloira, Orffs Carmina Burana, Mendelssohns Elijah, Verdis Requiem, Mozarts ‘Coronotion’ Mass in C Dur und J.S. Bachs Magnificat. Zusätzlich zu vielen Konzerten an der Universität gibt der Chor auch Vorstellungen in umliegenden Kirchen.

Shawna Cross Stewart ist die Dirigentin sowie Leiterin Choral Activities an der Biola University in La Mirada, Kalifornien. Sie unterrichtet auch Kurse im Dirigieren, sowie Chor-Methoden und Chor-Literatur. Zuvor unterrichtete sie Chormusik an der John Brown University.

Frau Stewart erhielt ihren Abschluss in Choraldirektion von der Eastman School of Music. Zur Zeit arbeitet sie an ihrem Doktor in Musik an der University of Southern California, wobei sie die Gelegenheit hatte von Helmuth Rilling und Rene Clausen unterrichtet zu werden. Außerdem engagiert sich Frau Stewart in Kirchenmusik und hat in und um Los Angeles schon verschiedene Kirchenchöre geleitet.

Veranstaltungsort:
Dornburger Straße
99510 Apolda

Veranstalter:
Incantato Tours
12101 Baywoods Drive - Suite 101
Tega Cay, SC 29708

Biola University Chorale sings twice on Easter Monday in Germany

The Biola University Chorale

Easter Monday, April 9 is a busy day for the Biola University Chorale under the direction of Mrs. Shawna Stewart. The singers from La Mirada, California will first be the featured guest choir for the holiday service at the historical Ordenskirche in Bayreuth, then at 7:30 pm, they present a formal concert at the stunning Lutherkiche in Apolda.
The Biola University Chorale is comprised of 34 voices from various disciplines on campus, with nearly eighty percent being voice majors. Dedicated to excellence in performance and literature, the Chorale offers a varied repertoire from traditional choral works to contemporary genres such as jazz and gospel.
The Chorale tours domestically each year and internationally every four years. In Southern California, the Chorale annually participates in prestigious area festivals, as well as hosts a two-day invitational high school, community and Christian college choral festival every November. Each spring they join forces with the Biola Symphony Orchestra for the performance of a major choral-orchestral work. In addition to a yearly season of many Biola-related concerts, the Chorale also performs at notable area churches.