The UMS Choral Union invites all interested singers to take part in its 24th season of Summer Sings. All singers are invited to these popular choral reading sessions which feature no-audition, no-performance evenings of memorable music-making.
As many as 300 singers from southeastern Michigan, northern Ohio, and Canada have joined each session in singing great choral repertoire with some of the nation's most respected choral conductors and outstanding soloists.
"We look forward to this longstanding tradition each season, when our vibrant community of artists, vocalists, and enthusiasts come together to sing great choral works," said UMS Choral Union music director and Summer Sings conductor Scott Hanoian. "It's a remarkable testament to the unifying power of music; hearing so many voices at once is truly inspiring."
The first Summer Sings event will take place on June 19 with a reading of Gabriel Fauré's Requiem in Stamps Auditorium (1226 Murfin Avenue, Ann Arbor), conducted by Kimberly Dunn Adams, the director of choral activities at Western Michigan University.
This event is followed by a July 10 reading of Mozart's Great Mass in c minor, K. 427 in Hill Auditorium (825 N. University Avenue, Ann Arbor), conducted by Scott Hanoian, and a reading of Bach's St. John Passion (abridged) on July 31 in Stamps Auditorium conducted by Noah Horn, the director of the choral program at Wayne State University.
Admission to each session costs $5. Summer Sings will provide refreshments and have scores available to borrow. Registration for each session begins at 6:30 pm and singing begins at 7 pm. Visit ums.org for more information.
SCHEDULE:
MONDAY, JUNE 19
7-9:30 pm
Stamps Auditorium, Walgreen Drama Center
(1226 Murfin Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109)
Reading: Fauré's Requiem
Kimberly Dunn Adams, conductor
Director of Choral Activities, Western Michigan University
MONDAY, JULY 10
7-9:30 pm
Hill Auditorium
(825 N. University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109)
Reading: Mozart's Great Mass in c minor, K. 427
Scott Hanoian, conductor
Music Director and Conductor, UMS Choral Union
MONDAY, JULY 31
7-9:30 pm
Stamps Auditorium, Walgreen Drama Center
(1226 Murfin Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109)
Reading: Bach's St. John Passion (abridged)
Noah Horn, conductor
Director of the Choral Program, Wayne State University
ABOUT THE CONDUCTORS:
Kimberly Dunn Adams is the director of choral activities at Western Michigan University, where she directs the University Chorale, Collegiate Singers, Grand Chorus, and the graduate program in choral conducting. She also co-directs the Collegium Musicum and teaches choral literature, choral conducting, and advanced conducting. Under her direction, the University Chorale at Western Michigan University received second place in the 2013 American Prize, a national music competition. In 2015, Adams was named a conducting fellow in the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) International Conductors Exchange Program with Sweden and traveled abroad to work with several Swedish choirs and present at the Nordic Choral Conference. She is currently the youth & student activities chair for Michigan ACDA. Adams holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion from Oberlin College and a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from Oberlin Conservatory, where she studied voice with Lorraine Manz and conducting with Hugh Floyd.
Scott Hanoian began his appointment as music director and conductor of the UMS Choral Union in July 2015. In addition to his appointment at UMS, Scott Hanoian is the director of music at Christ Church Grosse Pointe. Career highlights also include artistic director of the Oakland Choral Society; faculty member at Wayne State University; assistant organist and assistant director of music at Washington National Cathedral; and a robust career as an international touring musician performing throughout Europe, Australia, and Canada. He has recorded the complete organ works of Johannes Brahms for the JAV label.
Noah Horn directs the choral program at Wayne State University, where he conducts three choirs, supervises the master's program in choral conducting, and teaches ear training. He also serves as artistic director of Audivi, a professional vocal ensemble with an extensive repertory, and Oakland Choral Society, a community choir and orchestra devoted to performing masterworks. On weekends he directs the music program at Grosse Pointe Woods Presbyterian Church. Noah holds degrees in conducting and organ from Yale University and Oberlin College. In the past he has served as interim Director of Choral Activities at Western Michigan University, artistic director of The Madison Chorale, conductor of the Wesleyan University Orchestra, and director of the professional choirs at Christ Church, New Haven.
PARKING INFORMATION:
June 19 and July 31: The parking lot immediately adjacent to the Walgreen Drama Center (NC 27) will be available to Summer Sings participants for $5. There are also several other parking options available in the vicinity of the Walgreen. Parking along Bonisteel Boulevard is free after 5 pm, in addition to a visitor lot on Hayward Street (NC48), which is accessible to Stamps Auditorium via two sets of steps through the Computer Science & Engineering Building. The parking lot adjacent to the School of Music (NC10) is free after 5 pm, and there is visitor parking in the lot just south of the Art and Architecture Building (NC43).
July 10: Parking at the Thayer Street parking structure (N4) across the street from Hill Auditorium will be available that evening for the Hill "Sing" after 6 pm for $5. Visit ums.org/venues for more information and a list of additional parking options.
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