Unique Programs

The mission of Schola Cantorum on Hudson boldly proclaims a commitment to Global Cultural Impact! As an organization that had its birth as a performing ensemble with strong educational outreach, SCH also incorporated in its very first season a program that focused its sights beyond what was local—indeed, along a path that would broaden as its mission came ever more clearly to take on global proportions.

Annual Ethnic Celebration Series

The culturally, richly diverse population to which Schola Cantorum on Hudson brought its earliest musical efforts was the initial inspiration for what became known as the group’s Annual Ethnic Celebration Series. Through this annual series, SCH chooses as the focus for one of its three primary annual concerts the exploration of the musical heritage of the selected nationality or ethnicity. This original motivation was commended by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts Grant Panel in its 2010 published award comments as, “promoting cultural diversity, particularly with programming choices.”

In the course of researching the music and its historical uniqueness in various cultures, the membership of SCH has been privileged not only to perform a great deal of fine music—much of it not well known in this country—but also to interact with composers around the world. A number of our world premiere performances and US premiere performances have taken place within the context of the SCH Annual Ethnic Celebration Series.

Countries or nationalities featured:

  • Season 15 - America: Melting Pot
  • Season 14 - Norway
  • Season 13 - Austria
  • Season 12 - Sacred Bridge – Judeo-Christian Bridge
  • Season 11 - Mexican
  • Season 10 - Jewish
  • Season 09 - Scotland and Wales
  • Season 08 - Germany
  • Season 07 - Ireland
  • Season 06 -  England
  • Season 05 - Russian
  • Season 04 - America
  • Season 03 - Poland
  • Season 02 - Italy
  • Season 01 - Celtic

SCH Member In-Reach Offerings

As the depth of musical training and background among incoming singers has continued to grow, it has become increasing clear that both support and promotion of a professional standard—in both musical skills and in vocal development—is very pertinent to the ongoing evolution of this marvelously diverse mix of singers. Hence, in addition to the educational outreach which has been fundamental to SCH from its outset, the educational nurturing of our own membership, and even the marketing of their skills, where pertinent, has become part of the unique program offerings of Schola Cantorum on Hudson. More on the weekly Member In-Reach Classes, and on the Schola Sings Solo coaching opportunities is available within our Education page.

15th Season & the Recognition of a Need:

Enhanced Composer Interaction and Support

What a joy it has been for the SCH artists to work with a number of composers over the years, and to bring forth new works into public awareness through premiere performances! In doing so, SCH has made not only good music, but also good friends. Our belief in the value of the works we have premiered, and our continuing contact with various composers, has brought to our awareness an issue that is well-known within the community of composers: the common difficulty of procuring performances of a composition beyond the exciting premiere performance—even a well-reviewed premiere performance! Surely SCH could do something to help…

The Featured Composer Series seeks to raise awareness of a selected composer by performing that individual's work throughout the season. By weaving a number of works into the concert repertoire and marketing the composer with each performance, SCH hopes to generate positive exposure that compels publishers and other ensembles to program the composer's works.

The selection of Dr. Roger Wesby as SCH's inaugural Featured Composer was a logical one. SCH had enjoyed performing his compositions in the past, and his multi-national work in various indigenous traditions was a natural fit with SCH's diverse and innovative programming. More about Dr. Wesby and his compositions and arrangements can be found by clicking here.

Composers interested in applying to become a Schola Cantorum on Hudson Featured Composer can read about that process by clicking here.

Featured Composer Chronology:
Season 15 - Dr. Roger Wesby

Project Encore™

The additional notion of weaving second, or “encore” performances throughout our 15th season quickly led to the awareness of the kind of research necessary to find such works that would be pertinent to our programming design.* Initially, it seemed not a large step to turn that programming concept into an independent project, unto itself.

Although the step proved quite larger than originally envisioned, the SCH organization has never wavered in its commitment Project Encore™. Designed, and seemingly destined, to have an international impact, the multi-delimiter searchable structure of the Project Encore™ database (to expand in function as the number of scores expands) seeks to serve as a bridge between composers and conductors or performers in such a way as to effectively promote the integration of new choral works into concert programming.

SCH has been honored by international and high-level professional participation in its Advisory Council and within its Conductor Review Pool. Composers who successfully submit, and conductors who perform scores found through the Project Encore™ database will be credentialed as associated with the PE™ brand, and what it represents in terms of new music.

* The New Jersey State Council on the Arts Grant Panel in its 2010 published award particularly commends SCH for “…presenting new work which contributes to the field, particularly for the ‘Second Look’ series.”