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Chorus and Conductor Information.
PERFORMING CHORUSES
Cantabile of Skagit Valley
Cantabile of Skagit Valley, conducted by co-founder and Music Director
David Cross, is an auditioned non-professional ensemble of 20 balanced
voices “Cantabile” is an adjective, meaning songlike, or in a smooth,
flowing, lyrical style. It is usually used as a musical direction for
musicians to play or sing in a “cantabile” style. Founded in the fall of
2006, Cantabile performs with warmth and flexibility, and an added extra
element of energy and dynamism.
Concert repertoire is drawn from choral literature which spans the
centuries, from Renaissance motets through 20th century masterworks, as
well as new pieces featuring living composers which are culturally diverse
and international in scope. They have performed in Skagit Opera’s
productions of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” and “The Marriage of
Figaro.” Last June, Cantabile presented a Requiem for Darfur, an “eclectic
mass,” comprised of favorite selections from Requiem Masses written by
Mozart, Durufle, Brahms, and Rutter, as well as other lovely classic and
contemporary sacred music. Proceeds from the concert were donated to
survivors of the civil war in Darfur, Sudan. With a mission to promote the
joy of choral music, the ensemble offers seasonal concerts and
participates in charitable performances in the greater Pacific Northwest.
For more information about Cantabile, please write to
cantabileofskagitvalley@msn.com
Master Chorus Eastside
Master Chorus Eastside began in 1991 as a small, non-auditioned ensemble
called the Issaquah Chorale, and has since grown into a polished, fully
auditioned mixed chorus and one of the premiere arts organizations in the
suburbs east of Seattle. It is known for its innovative and imaginative
programming, from its family-style “All-American Independence
Celebration,” featuring American Music and historical tidbits, to large
choral/orchestral works, a capella repertoire, multi-cultural
explorations, jazz and Broadway classics. Its four-concert season is
enlivened by conductor Linda Gingrich’s informative concert commentary.
MCE has also performed with area orchestras and dance troupes, at local
service organization and private functions, at the Everett International
Choral Festival, on Argosy Cruises Christmas ship, and as part of radio
broadcasts. For more information about Master Chorus Eastside please
contact masterchoruseastside@gmail.com
Northwest Repertory Singers
Founded in the fall of 2001, the Northwest Repertory Singers(NWRS) has
quickly become one of Puget Sounds region’s most revered choral ensembles.
Members are selected through a rigorous audition process and each comes
from a rich musical tradition. Their performance for Seattle Pro Musica’s
American Masterpieces Choral Festival in June, 2007 received the highest
praise from composer Morten Lauridsen. He said, “This ensemble is among
the finest I have ever heard, displaying choral art at its finest; a jewl
among chamber choruses in America.” Conductor Dale Warland declared, “I
never expect to hear a better performance of the Argento and Lauridsen
pieces than you gave at Town Hall. Superb!” Under the direction of Dr.
Paul W. Schultz, the NWRS has become a chorus of unparalleled commitment
to the musical, emotional, and technical performance of a broad range of
musical styles and genres. For more information about the Northwest
Repertory Singers please contact ps72638@comcast.net
Columbia Chorale
The Columbia Chorale of Wenatchee traces its history to a continuum of
community choruses under the direction of Wenatchee Valley College choral
directors. In the early years, these choruses were assembled for a
particular event, such as a Christmas presentation of Handel’s Messiah. In
1978 the name Columbia Chorale was first used for the community group. In
1983 a permanent community chorus with a board of directors was officially
launched with its debut concert at the NCW Museum, which included J.S.
Bach’s Coffee Cantata and Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzes. Over the course of
the next 24 years the choir has performed over 125 times, with three or
four “home concerts” per year, along with other appearances at Wenatchee
Valley Symphony concerts, choral festivals, Chelan’s Bach Feste, road
trips, banquets, fund raisers, pipe organ dedications and even a couple of
weddings! The chorus, under the direction of Dr. Mike Hibbett makes an
encore performance at the Third Annual Leavenworth Choral Festival this
year. For more information about the Columbia Chorale please contact
JTDDDS@aol.com
The Federal Way Chorale
Under the direction of Laird Thornton, the Federal Way Chorale was founded
in 1993 as an auditioned community choir. The Chorale has distinguished
itself through dynamic performances and professional presentation of
demanding choral literature. Chorale audiences have enjoyed performances
of many major works which have included Schubert’s Mass in G, Brahms’
Liebeslieder Waltzes and Haydn’s Paukenmess(Mass in Time of War) as well
as many others. The versatility of the Federal Way Chorale has been
demonstrated with performances of lighter fare which included spirituals
arranged by Moses Hogan, works by Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington and many
Broadway show tunes. Their reputation has garnered invitations to perform
with the Federal Way and Auburn Symphonies. With musical excellence as the
goal of the Chorale, the Third Annual Leavenworth Choral Festival is
delighted to welcome them. For more information about the Federal Way
Chorale please contact
jimburbidge@comcast.net
ABOUT OUR GUEST CONDUCTOR
DR. PAUL W. SCHULTZ
 Paul
W. Schultz has accrued a distinguished career as a teacher and conductor
throughout the United States spanning over four decades. He received both
Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts degrees from Central Michigan
University, a Ph.D. in music education from Michigan State University, and
has studied conducting with Helmuth Rilling at the Internationale
Bachakademie in Stuttgart, Germany. His choral ensembles consistently
receive the highest acclaim for their standards in repertoire,
interpretation and musicianship. They have appeared at the state,
regional, and national conventions of both the Music Educators National
Conference and the American Choral Directors Association.
Dr. Schultz taught in the public schools in Michigan for 20 years and has
served on the faculties of Michigan State University, the University of
Puget Sound, and Tacoma School of the Arts. Dr. Schultz prepared and
conducted the major choral presentations for the Third World Harp Congress
Convention in 1996. He also served as artistic conductor with
Tacoma City Ballet and was the founder and first conductor of the Tacoma
Symphony Chorus. Dr. Schultz founded the Northwest Repertory Singers in
August, 2001. They are a very select group of distinguished Puget Sound
musicians dedicated to performing a wide variety of quality choral music
at a high artistic level. Performances during their first five seasons
have received hearty acclaim and played to capacity audiences. Northwest
Repertory Singers sponsored the Tacoma presentation of the Rolling Requiem
on September 11, 2002. This performance of Mozart's Requiem, to
commemorate the victims of September 11, 2001, was presented at 8:46 a.m.
to an overflow audience at Mason United Methodist Church in Tacoma.
Northwest Repertory Singers have received rave reviews over the past two
seasons for their collaborations with Northwest Sinfonietta, Lake Union
Community Orchestra, and the Tacoma Youth Chorus.
Dr. Schultz is a two-time recipient of the Distinguished Service Award
given by the American Choral Directors Association. He was presented the
American Choral Directors Association Northwestern Division Lifetime
Achievement and Leadership Award at the 2004 Northwestern Division
convention in Boise, ID. He is a life member of the American Choral
Director's Association and a member of Chorus America. Dr. Schultz is very
active as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator throughout the
United States. He resides in Gig Harbor with his wife, Dr. Donna Gartman
Schultz. Their son, David, is a graduate student at Michigan State
University pursuing a masters degree in orchestral conducting.
E-mail: LeavenworthChoralFestival@verizon.net
Phone: (509)548-9168
www.LeavenworthVillageVoices.org
www.Leavenworth.org
Leavenworth Choral Festival , P.O. Box 2254, Leavenworth, WA 98826
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