Music of Estonia--Press Release

PRESS RELEASE AND EVENT LISTING FOR SCHOLA CANTORUM ON HUDSON CONCERT:  'MUSIC OF ESTONIA' SATURDAY MAY 21 AND SUNDAY MAY 22, 2011

SCHOLA CANTORUM ON HUDSON PRESENTS 'MUSIC OF ESTONIA'
SATURDAY MAY 21 AND SUNDAY MAY 22, 2011

 
Saturday, May 21, 2011 8pm at
    Middle Collegiate Church, 2nd Avenue @7th Street, NYC and

Sunday, May 22, 5pm at
    St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 73 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ. 

For immediate release:  With the concerts entitled 'Music of Estonia,’ Schola Cantorum on Hudson (SCH) celebrates the music and people of this tiny Baltic nation in its annual Ethnic Celebration Series.  These choral concerts are multimedia events, in collaboration with James Tusty and Maureen Castle Tusty, the makers of the documentary film The Singing Revolution, which tells the remarkable story of Estonia’s liberation from Soviet occupation and domination through use of singing, in what was a completely bloodless revolution.  Also collaborating with SCH in these unique concerts is the North Jersey Home School Association Choir, SCH’s Cantorum Young Singers group for the season, under the direction of Beth Prins.  SCH is enormously honored to have Mr. Tusty’s presence at both concerts, after which he will be available for Q&A.  This concert series concludes SCH's 2010-2011 season focus on 'freedom.'
Singing together is integral to all aspects of Estonian society and culture--from large public events to homes and small gatherings.  The concerts affirm and deepen the resonance that the drive behind Estonian freedom has with today’s world events, achieved as it was through exclusively non-violent means.  Elegant settings of Estonian folk material, cutting-edge choral ‘art music,’ and several Song Festival favorites are woven together with stills, full projection of portions of the film, and synchronized singing with footage of the Estonian music festival of The Singing Revolution, in what is designed to engage the audience in a deep experience of Estonian music and its larger culture.  Composers whose music is represented include Tormis, Pärt, Sisask, Kreek, Mägi, Härma, and others.  Dr. King refers to ”Estonia's distinctive musical heritage,” and to the “inspiring use of singing in Estonia’s peaceful triumph over political oppression.  Telling this remarkable story in collaboration with the Tustys is enormously exciting, and a profound joy for all of us who believe so deeply in the power of music for good in the world.”

This marks the first presentation of a concert of exclusively Estonian music in the NYC area by an American choral group. 

SCHOLA CANTORUM ON HUDSON

Now in its 16th season, Schola Cantorum on Hudson is a 35-voice vocal ensemble, whose members audition for appointment to the group.  A number of the singers are professionally trained and active. SCH self-produces four concert series per season, including an annual ‘Ethnic Celebration Series’ which this year is 'Music of Estonia.'  Critically acclaimed, under the direction of founder Dr. Deborah Simpkin King, SCH is known not only for the excellent musical quality of its singers and performance values, but also for its pro-activity in bringing new works to the larger choral community. Each season, SCH works all of its concerts around a central theme, and the theme of this year’s season is ‘freedom.’  SCH concert programming is derived from a point of departure that is based upon creating an underlying progression of emotion and meaning through many diverse works, resulting in concerts that are designed to reach deeply into hearts, as well as minds and ears, by bringing the audience on a journey through the material performed.
For further information, contact:

Jack Whyte
Director of Marketing and Communications
jackwhyte@scholaonhudson.org
1-888-407-6002 x2
Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-888-407-6002 x1, or from the SCH website:  http://www.scholaonhudson.org/ethnic_celebration_series

Event Listing: 

Choral Music—Schola Cantorum on Hudson presents ‘MUSIC OF ESTONIA’ in the Village and Montclair, NJ

Saturday, May 21, 2011 8pm at
     Middle Collegiate Church, 2nd Avenue @7th Street, NYC and

Sunday, May 22, 5pm at
     St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 73 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ. 

Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-888-407-6002 x1, or from the SCH website:  http://www.scholaonhudson.org/ethnic_celebration_series