Ryan Silverman and More Set for St. Malachy's - The Actors Chapel's VOICES UNITED, 11/12

St. Malachy's – The Actors Chapel will present a star–studded musical extravaganza with The Voices United Choral Festival on Monday, November 12 at 7:30 at NY's legendary Beacon Theatre (2124 Broadway). Over 600 performers will gather under the direction of the internationally celebrated conductor Eric Knapp with the evening being hosted by famed author Raymond Arroyo and featuring special performances by Broadway's Ryan Silverman (more to be announced). Voices United will benefit the outreach ministries of The Actor's Chapel, as well as charities such as Covenant House New York. Tickets range from $25 - $250 and are available at Ticketmaster.

Voices United was founded by St. Malachy's – The Actors' Chapel in the heart of the Broadway Community. This festival joins voices from New York City, North America, and abroad in a program of benevolence and goodwill to people of many faiths and cultures. This year's unique concert experience will feature young metropolitan-area musicians singing in a festival chorus along with a top-rate orchestra and conga ensemble. The program will include the tour de force "Hope for Resolution" by Caldwell Ivory, as well as other moving performances. Voices United looks to make this first concert an evening to remember and an exciting annual event benefitting needy families and children.

The evening will feature performers from many tri-state area choirs, including The Choir at St. Malachy's, Connecticut Choral Society, and New Jersey Choral Society, with many more to come.

The evening will also celebrate two dedicated leaders, Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel CFR, recipient of The Father George Moore Award – Religious Leader Award, and David Higgs, who will receive The Paul Creston Award.

Voices United will take place on Monday, November 12, 2012 at 7:30 at the Beacon Theatre, located at 2124 Broadway (West 74 Street). Tickets are: $25, $50 $75, $125 &
$250 (VIP includes pre-show VIP Cocktail reception) and are available at Ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit www.VoicesUnited.com.

Eric Dale Knapp (conductor) is a dynamic conductor whose commitment and energy empower the musicians he leads to give performances that stir the souls of his audiences. A versatile musical leader, equally adept with classics and pops, Knapp's finely honed ability to communicate through both gesture and speech place him at the forefront of the rising conductors of his generation.Mr. Knapp is the founder and Music Director of Orchestra de Camerata at the Salisbury House, where he also serves as Artistic Director of Chamber Music at Salisbury House. This is Mr. Knapp's fourth season with the Connecticut Choral Society. He was Associate Conductor and Accompanist for three years. He is also the Artistic Director and Conductor of the New Jersey Choral Society and Orchestra; Music Director for the Mark Thallander Foundation of Los Angeles, CA; Artistic Director of Chamber Music at Salisbury House in Des Moines, Iowa, as well as Music Director of Orchestra de Camerata. He has been named Artistic Director and Conductor of Voices in the House International Music Festival at the Sydney Opera House and will appear in Vienna, Austria, in 2009 as Artistic Director and Conductor of the International Haydn Festival celebrating Haydn's Bicentennial Anniversary. In 2008 Mr. Knapp will lead 2008 Beijing Olympics Festival Chorus and Orchestra in an official XXIX OLYMPIAD concert as part of the official Perform in Harmony - With Olympic Spirit cultural arts celebration. In 1995 he was the first American conductor, at the request of the Austrian Minister of Culture, to conduct the closing concert at the International Advent Sing in Vienna, Austria. In the same season Mr. Knapp was also the first American to appear at the International Bach Festival in Warsaw, Poland, as organ recitalist. Mr. Knapp has also collaborated with the Kromeriz Chamber Orchestra, Martinu Bolshava Philharmonie and the Basel Academic Orchestra. Mr. Knapp also served on the conducting faculty at Drake University from 1999 to 2000.As Conductor-in-Residence at MidAmerica Productions, he conducted the New England Symphonic Ensemble and Festival Chorus annually at Carnegie Hall. His May 2000 Carnegie Hall debut was marked with critical acclaim. Mr. Knapp also served as cover conductor for John Rutter at Carnegie Hall and prepared choirs to work under Mr. Rutter's baton. As Conductor-in-Residence at MidAmerica Productions, he conducted the New England Symphonic Ensemble and Festival Chorus annually at Carnegie Hall. His May 2000 Carnegie Hall debut was marked with critical acclaim. Mr. Knapp also served as cover conductor for John Rutter at Carnegie Hall and prepared choirs to work under Mr. Rutter's baton. Honors include the Drake Award for career development and the subsequent appointment as a Drake Fellow for graduate study in conducting. He is a graduate of Drake University and has studied at The Juilliard School. Mr. Knapp has studied with Jorge Mester, John Alexander, Helmuth Rilling, Robert Shaw, Aimee Beckmann-Collier, Vincent LaSelva, Kirk Trevor, Tsung Yeh, Gary Fagan, and Johannes Schlaefli.

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