 Theresa Lee-Whiting to deliver a lecture on Moses Hogan (May 20, 2008)
The Festival Welcomes the Russian Choir Tebe Poem (May 19, 2008)
Rev. Raymond Wise joining the festival (March 19, 2008)
Dr. Ryan Board joining the festival (May 19, 2008)
Gloria Hogan joining the festival (May 19, 2008)
Festival Workshop/Tape recording reminder (May 13, 2008)
DVD orders are now accepted (April 11, 2008)
Dr.Thomas announces the title of his commission (March 22, 2008)
The weakened American dollar and its efect on the festival (March 17, 2008)
Instructions for a tape recording (March 17, 2008)
May 2008 Workshop Details at Hartwick College announced (February 22, 2008)
Festival choral music sent to all participants (December 11, 2007)
Solo selections of the soprano Henrieta Davis (November 16, 2007)
Information session summary (October 24, 2007)
Medical form needed from all participants (October 24, 2007)
Acclaimed soprano joins the festival (October 10, 2007
Spring workshop weekend update (October 4, 2007)
Repertoire announced (September 18, 2007)
First Information Session to be held on Sunday, October 14 at 3 pm (September 10, 2007)
Invitation letter (September 1, 2007)
Theresa Lee-Whiting to deliver a lecture on Moses Hogan (May 20, 2008)
The Festival organizers are pleased to welcome Theresa Lee-Whiting to the festival. Theresa will deliver an introductory lecture on life and works of Moses Hogan shortly after the arrival of participants to Prague on Tuesday, July 8, 2008. Her lecture will include some rare audio and video recordings of Moses Hogan’s performances.
Theresa Lee-Whiting earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from West Virginia University and completed a double Master of Music Degree in Music History and Literature and Choral Conducting at Binghamton University in Binghamton, NY.
While a graduate assistant at BU, Theresa studied under conductor Bruce Borton (who introduced her to the music of Moses Hogan), and conducted the Women's Chorus for three semesters. She wrote her Master’s thesis on Moses Hogan, and taught an Introduction to Music course which she continues to teach as an adjunct lecturer. Currently, Theresa conducts the German Choir of Binghamton, an a cappella community choir, and is Director of Music Ministries at Tabernacle United Methodist
Church in Binghamton. She goes to New Orleans, her favorite city, every summer where she continues her research and writing on Moses Hogan. Theresa is very excited to be going to Prague this summer with the Hartwick College Choral Festival and Institute to sing and celebrate the music of Moses Hogan.
The Festival Welcomes the Russian Choir Tebe Poem (May 19, 2008)
The first words of the Russian Orthodox Church sacred motet “Tebe poem, tebe blagoslovim, tebe blagodarim, Gospodi” (we are singing for you, Good Lord, bless you and thank you) gave the name to the ensemble and seemed to bless the choir for successful and many-sided creative life. The choir “Tebe Poem” was created and is headed for many years by the Honored artist of Russia, Rector and professor of Krasnoyarsk Academy of Music and Theatre Konstantin A. Yakobson, who has involved many professional singers and choirmasters of the city into this choral activity.
The main creative guiding line of the musicians is faithfulness to the high traditions of the Russian choral art. At the same time the genre range of the choir concerts is not at all limited to classical music. Thanks to the unique selection of musicians, the choir performs music of different epochs and styles: from solo and ensemble performance to a capella singing and cantata-oratorio pieces; from sacred and folk music to jazz and musical works written by modern composers. Here are the words by Marcel Cornelu, Director of the Music Festival in Morvana (France), President of European Federation of Young Choir Singers, about Tebe Poem choir: “This is not just an ordinary choir; it is an ensemble of exciting and beautiful voices. They make you wait for every sound and revel and admire it. The strength of the ensemble is in the sounding of every voice”.
Great attention in the repertoire choice is devoted to the Russian Orthodox sacred music. The so-called “visiting card” of the choir is the triptych of motets “Tebe Poem” which includes the musical pieces of P.I. Tchaikovsky, A. I. Labinsky, S. V. Rakhmaninov. Along with the prayers written by composers of the last century – D. S. Bortnyansky, A. T. Grechaninov, P. G. Tchesnokov and others, the choir performs sacred motets of modern composers – V. Uspensky, V. Genin. In 1998 “The Liturgy of Joan Zlatoust” by P. Tchesnokov was performed by the choir and recorded. At present time the choral ensemble has been fruitfully working with A. I. Kiselev, a composer from Moscow. During the concert tour in November 2006 Tebe Poem choir gave a concert of his sacred pieces in Troitse-Sergieva Lavra in Moscow.
The search for new forms of choral performance, the desire to make the concerts interesting for the audience of any age and status, have lead to the appearance of musical pieces in the choir repertoire written in traditions of choral theatre. It started in 2002 when the choir performed literary musical composition by K. Yakobson based on the story of Pushkin and opera of Tchaikovsky “Pikovaya dama” (The Queen of Spades). But a really important event in the life of the choir was the staging of the choral symphony-action by Gavrilin “Perezvony” (Bells ringing) where drama, choreography and music have run into something unique. In 2004 the premiere of this performance took place in Moscow in the theatre “New Opera” and it was devoted to the memory of the founder of the theatre Y.V. Kolobov.
Rev. Raymond Wise joining the festival (March 18, 2008)
Rev. Raymond Wise is founder and President of Raise Productions, a gospel music production company in Columbus, Ohio. Raymond also serves as a part-time member of the Music Department at Denison, where he conducts the college's Gospel choir. In addition he teaches at The Ohio State University and the Columbus School for Girls. Raymond's musical career has been broad and productive. As a teen, he served as a chorus member and soloist for the Baltimore Opera Company's educational outreach program. At Denison, Raymond reorganized the Black Student Union Choir and started the Black Student Union Ensemble and Dance Company. Recently he has served as the chorus Master for the world premiere of the Opera Columbus Production of Leslie Burrs' "Vanqui." As a prolific composer, Raymond has penned more than 490 compositions and wrote the musical score for an opera entitled "Barefoot," which is based upon a children's book focusing on the Underground Railroad.
Raymond has established a Center for the Gospel Arts in Columbus in 1992, which provides educational training for gospel artists and the community. He has developed specialized curriculums for this school, which offers 30+ classes per week, and has served over 4000 persons. "Raise," Raymond's production company, sponsors three national recording groups and offers support services to the gospel community.
Raymond wrote a new composition in memory of Moses Hogan entitled Shine the Light, which will be premiered during the festival week, first by the Russian Choir Tebe Poem on Thursday, July 10, and then again during the mass Service on Sunday, July 13. Raymond has also graciously agreed to present a lecture on the historical cultural context of African American spirituals.
Dr. Ryan Board joining the festival (May 19, 2008)
We are very pleased that Dr. Ryan Board will be joining the festival as an Rehearsal Assistant to Dr. Armstrong. Ryan will lead the chorus during the first rehearsal before Dr. Armstrong arrives on Wednesday, July 9, and he will also be responsible for any sectional rehearsals as needed during the week.
Ryan Board has served as Director of choral studies at the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri – Kansas City since 2006. Dr. Board earned a bachelor’s degree in choral music education from the University of Northern Colorado and a master’s degree in choral conducting from Westminster Choir College where he served as graduate assistant in choral conducting. During his work toward the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, he conducted multiple choral ensembles and taught coursework in graduate conducting and choral literature. Dr. Board conducts the Conservatory’s top tier choral ensemble and leads the graduate program in choral studies. Armonia, an early music ensemble founded and conducted by Dr. Board, has received acclaim for its performances, receiving prestigious invitations to sing at the recent Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina and at the National Convention of the American Choral Directors Association in Miami. Before coming to Kansas City, Board was on faculty at William Patterson University in New Jersey and was assistant conductor with the New Jersey Masterwork Chorus.
Gloria Hogan joining the festival (May 19, 2008)
We are very pleased to let you know that Mrs. Gloria Hogan, the mother of Moses Hogan will be joining the festival in Prague. Mrs. Hogan is thrilled to be a part of the festival which will be honoring her son and looks forward to meeting everyone in Prague.
Festival Workshop/Tape recording reminder (May 13, 2008)
On May 10-11, 2008, we hosted a long anticipated two day workshop, which culminated with a performance on Sunday, May 11. All festival music was performed on Sunday night, and the festival singers gave a fine performance to set the stage for the Prague Gala Concert. If you are among those who were not able to attend the workshop, we want to remind you that your tape recording is due on May 25, 2008. Please understand that if we do not receive your tape by this time, you will be asked by our Rehearsal Assistant Dr. Ryan Board to demonstrate your ability of knowing your parts before the first rehearsal with Dr. Armstrong. Again, please find details about the tape recording on our website under updates from March 17, 2008.
DVD orders are now accepted (Apri 11, 2008)
Dear Festival Participants, please see enclosed DVD form and send it to us by June 1st, 2008).
 DVD order form
Dr.Thomas announces the title of his commission (March 22, 2008)
We are very happy to let you know that Dr. Andre Thomas announced a title of the commissioned spiritual, which will be premiered in Prague during the gala performance. The arrangement is called “My Good Lord’s Done Been Here”. The work was originally introduced by Moses Hogan as a solo spiritual in his Deep River Collection for voice and piano. Dr. Thomas will be present for the world premiere in Prague and he plans to conduct the festival singers as well. YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED THE NEW ARRANGEMENT BY NOW. IF NOT, PLEASE LET US KNOW IMMEDIATELY.
The weakened American dollar and its effect on the festival (March 17, 2008)
Dear festival participants – as many of you already heard from Valerie, the unfortunate circumstances of the weakened American economy and particularly the falling value of the American dollar forced the festival organizers to raise the festival fee to make up for the losses. As all our payments for the land portion of the festival are in Czech crowns, this adjustment is, unfortunately, unavoidable. We will shortly be sending you a personal letter with details.
Instructions for a tape recording (March 17, 2008)
Who needs to record his/her voice part? Please note that all participants who will not be able to come to the May workshop at Hartwick College, must provide us with the audiotape, which will include their voice part for all festival selections.
Purpose: The purpose of this tape recording is to ensure that all members will be well prepared for the limited rehearsal time in Prague. It’s purpose is to maximize the performance quality at Prague's gala performance.
Expectation: Any simple cassette tape recorder will be sufficient for this purpose as long as the voice is audible. We do not expect a studio quality recording. Please note that all paid participants are already accepted to the festival. The quality of the tape will not disqualify anyone. We also accept a CD or DVD formats.
Deadline: May 25, 2007. Please note that this deadline is firm. If a participant fails to provide a recording by this date, he or she may be asked to demonstrate his/her ability on an individual basis in Prague.
Procedure: Once we receive the tape, we will acknowledge it via e mail. We will not contact you again unless the quality is unacceptable.
Mailing address: Please send all tapes directly to:
Valerie Harabet, Executive Assistant
Hartwick College Choral Festival and Institute
Hartwick College Music Department
Oneonta, NY 13820
Technical comments:
- All selections may be sung a cappella or with a piano accompaniment.
- It is permissible to record more voices at the same time (with your friends who also participate at the festival). It must be indicated clearly on the tape, who is singing.
- If you sing a cappella, you can strike the first pitch on the piano, and any starting pitch after a rest.
- If you have a rest longer than a few measures you do not need to wait. Skip to your next entrance.
- Please record a brief introduction on the tape and let us know who is singing. No other talking on the tape and no personal messages, please.
- Please rewind the tape to the beginning after you have finished the recording.
- Please label the tape and the cover clearly with your name, and indicate your voice part.
- If you are not sure at any point which part to sing, or how the chorus is divided, please make an educated choice. Any divisi adjustments can be made later in Prague.
May 2008 Workshop Details at Hartwick College announced (February 22, 2008)
Please note that all New York participants are required to participate in the May preparatory workshop at Hartwick College. The goal of the workshop is not only to learn the fundamentals for each spiritual but to move the preparation to a level, which will set the stage for the high expectations by Prague organizers and audiences.
All out of state participants are encouraged to participate as well. However, those who will not be able to come, may send their recorded voice part on a cassette tape instead. We can also accept CD or DVD recordings (no other formats please). We will announce all the specifics for the tape recording later this spring.
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE (subject to change)
Saturday, May 10, 2008:
1:00 pm: Arrival to Hartwick College, Anderson Center for the Arts
1:30 pm - 5:30 pm: Sectional and/or full rehearsal
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Pizza Dinner
7:30 pm - A cappella concert: “Up in the Air” from Ohio, and “Not So Sharp” from Hartwick College
10:00 pm -10:30 pm: Room assignments for high school student staying on campus
11:00 pm: End of Activities and Curfew for all high school students staying on campus
Sunday, May 11, 2008:
9:00 am: Breakfast (Commons)
10:00 am - 12:00 am: Sectional and/or Full rehearsal
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Lunch (Commons)
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Full rehearsal
4:00 – 5:00 pm: Concert for parents and friends (Music Circle)
5:00 – 6:00 pm: Information Session for Prague participants
6:00 pm: Farewell and departure
IMPORTANT NOTES:
ACCOMODATIONS: We are able to provide accommodations on Hartwick campus for high school students only. Those high school students who wish to stay overnight will have to make a written request to us by March 31 st, 2008 so we can secure enough Hartwick student hosts. All students who will stay on Hartwick campus overnight will need to bring their own sleeping bag, pillow, towel and other toiletries.
MEALS: Please note that a fee of $25 per person is required to cover expenses for meals on campus.
CONCERT DRESS: Women - black formal, black stockings and shoes, skirt length below the knees. Black formal pants with black formal top are ok. Men - black formal pants and formal shoes, black socks, white formal shirt (long sleeves) and solid color neck tie (no bow tie, no tuxedo, no tail).
Festival choral music sent to all participants (December 11, 2007)
This is to let you know that the festival choral music (with the exception of the commissioned work by Andre Thomas) was mailed to you, and you should have received by now. In some cases we sent the music to high school choral directors for all their students, or to one designated person to distribute it among various choir members. If you have not received your music by now, please contact Valerie Harabet at harabetv@hartwick.edu
Solo selections of the soprano Henrietta Davis (November 16, 2007)
As we announced in October, the gala concert on Saturday, July 12 in Smetana Hall will feature an acclaimed soprano soloist Henrieta Davis. For your information here are her solo selections that she plans to include in the concert proogram:
His Name So Sweet – Hall Johnson
Round About the Mountain – Roland Hayes
Honor Honor – Hall Johnson
Somebody’s Knockin’ at your door –Moses G. Hogan
Give me Jesus - Moses G. Hogan
Walk together Children – Moses G. Hogan
Information session summary (October 24, 2007)
The first information session was held on Sunday, October 14, 2007 at Hartwick College. We had more than 80 students and their families attended. Here is a summary of the most important items that were discussed:
Travel: Depart from JFK on July 7 at 4:10 pm; arrive to PRG on July 8 at 5:20 am. Depart PRG on July 14 at 11 am; arrive to JFK at 2:15 pm. This is direct flight. Participants from other states than NY need to let us know ASAP whether they wish to travel with the group or make separate travel arrangements. Note that all HS students are required to travel with the group unless they are accompanied by their parents. In this case, parents will be responsible to arrive to the hotel. The current group airfare estimate is $1,315.
Passport and visa: Please make sure to apply for your passport as soon as possible if you do not have one, or if your current passport expires before January 15, 2008. American citizens do not need to apply for a visa to the Czech Republic.
Medical Information: Please see the medical form which is attached to the update from October 24. Please print the form and send it to us at your earliest convenience. All participants are required to send this form to us. We will have a medical chaperone available for the entire duration of the tour, who needs to be informed of your medical conditions for the case of emergency. This information will be kept confidential.
Music: We plan to send music to all participants by the end of December 2007.
Chaperones: There are still some chaperone positions available. If you are interested, please let us know ASAP. We do offer a discount for chaperones.
Dollar and currency issues: The American dollar has been losing its value against the Czech crown and Euro as well. We reminded all participants that since all our payments to the Czech Republic (except the airfare and travel insurance) are in Czech crowns. If the dollar falls below the 22:1 currency exchange rate, the land portion of the festival fee ($1,480) would have to be adjusted to balance for the loss of the dollar.
Cash: We suggest that participants do not bring more than $100-$200 in cash. The most convenient way to obtain cash in Prague is from ATM machines. The cheapest way to draw money is to use a debit card, rather than a credit card. Traveler checks are NOT recommended for the travel to the Czech Republic. The exchange rate is much higher than by using DC or CC. Please make sure to call your bank before you depart to Prague to let them know that you plan to draw money abroad. That is to insure that you card will not be suspected from a fraudulent use. Also, most ATM machines in the Czech Republic allow for a 4 digit number code.
Calling from abroad: Most American cell phones will not in the Czech Republic. It is quite convenient to call from our hotel as each room is equipped with a phone. Also, most calling cards purchased in the US will not work in the Czech Repiblic. You can obtain calling card in Prague, though.
Items to bring: For recommended items to bring and not to bring, please check our FAQ tab above.
Drinking: Although the legal drinking age is 18 in the Czech Republic, drinking is not permitted for ANY high school students. Drinking in general is discouraged during the festival.
Hotel air-conditioning: Please note that air-conditioning is not a standard in three stars hotels in Prague. Generally, it is not needed during summers. However, hotel Step has limited number of air-conditioned rooms. If you would like to reserve a room that is air-conditioned, please know that there is $250 surcharge per person for the duration of the festival.
Spring workshop: All participants were reminded of the May 10-11 mandatory workshop for NY participants at Hartwick College. All singers who will not be able to come, will be required to submit a tape or a CD with their recorded voice part. Details for both the workshop and the voice recording will be provided in early spring.
Medical form needed from all participants (October 24, 2007)
Please print out the attached medical form below and send it to us at your earliest convenince. Thank you!
Medical form
Acclaimed soprano joins the festival (October 10, 2007)
We are thrilled to let you know that the acclaimed soprano Henrietta Davis, who performed with Moses Hogan for many years, and who is also featured on his "Deep River" spiritual collection will join the festival.
The outstanding career of Ms. Davis spans many genres. Recently, she sang Serena in a concert version of Porgy and Bess with Costa Mesa's Opera Pacific after her May 2006 debut there as the High Priestess in Aida. The Los Angeles Times wrote: „Henrietta E. Davis showed Serena's frightening intensity most believably and sang with a chilling fervor one will not forget. In 2005 she appeared at the annual convention of Negro Musicians in Los Angeles. She made her San Diego Repertory Theatre debut in 2004 „Three Mo' Divas" a celebration of the Afro-American female classically trained voice.
At the Monterey Jazz Festival she performed sacred music of Duke Ellington with the Luckman Jazz Orchestra, and she repeated that program at the new Disney Symphony Hall in LA, together with the Luckman Orchestra, Heritage Chorale and LA Master chorale.
A five-year veteran of Phantom of the Opera in San Francisco, Ms. Davis toured Europe and played on Broadway as Bess in the Houston Grand Opera production of Porgy & Bess. With San Francisco Opera she was Musetta in La Boheme. As a Merola fellow there she sang Susannah in Susannah, Fiordiligi in Cosi fan Tutte, Micaela in Carmen, the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro and Zerlina in Don Govanni, all in SFO‚s Brown Bag concerts. With Oakland Opera she was Carmen Jones in Carmen Jones.
As a concert soloist she has appeared with the San Francisco, Oakland, Baltimore , Modesto, Stockton and Reno symphonies in works ranging from the Brahms and Verdi requiems to Leonard Bernstein‚s MASS and excerpts from Porgy & Bess.
Spring workshop weekend update (October 4, 2007)
Please note that due to the level of difficulty and the length of the repertoire for the gala performance in Prague, the mandatory workshop date for all NY participants has been extended. We will plan to meet both on Saturday, May 10, 2008 (as originally planned) as well as on Sunday, May 11th, 2008. The workshop will culminate with an informal performance on Hartwick College's campus. We will provide the accommodations on Hartwick's campus for high school students who will make a prior reservation only. All out of state participants are welcome to join us for this intensive preparation. Those who will not be able to do so, will need to provide us with a tape recording of their singing part. Instructions will be announced in early spring 2008. Please note that all participants MUST either attend the workshop or send a tape recording of their part. The $25workshop fee of will cover three meals on campus (Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast and lunchs).
Reperoire announced (September 18, 2007)
We are thrilled to share with you the repertoire for our performance in Prague. Please see below:
I.
THE PIONEERING ROOTS OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN SPIRITUAL
1. Ain'-a That Good News!--arr. William L. Dawson
Neil A. Kjos Music #T103-A (SATB-divisi)
2. Amen--arr. Jester Hairston
Bourne Music #B200394-357 (SATB/ S solo)
3. Oh, That Bleeding Lamb--arr. Undine Smith Moore
Augsburg Fortress #0-8006-5603-2 (SATB)
4. "My Good Lord's Done Been Here" a world premiere by André Thomas in honor of Moses Hogan
II.
THE CHORAL LEGACY OF MOSES G. HOGAN
1. Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit
Hal Leonard (SATB)
2. Hear My Prayer
Hal Leonard (SATB)
3. My God is So High
Alliance Music Publications# AMP-0190 (SATB/S solo)
4. We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace
Hal Leonard (SATB –divisi)
5. No Hidin' Place
Hal Leonard (SATB-divisi)
6. I Am His Child
Alliance Music Publications# AMP-0110 (SATB/piano)
7. I'm Gonna Sing 'til the Spirit Moves in My Heart
Hal Leonard (SATB-divisi)
8. This Little Light of Mine
(Hal Leonard (SATB-divisi/S solo)
9. Ride on King Jesus
(Hal Leonard (SATB-divisi/piano)
First Information session to be held on Sunday, October 14 at 3 pm
September 10, 2007
I am writing to remind you that we will be holding our first Information Session It will take place on Sunday, October 14 at 3:00 in Anderson 209 on the Hartwick College campus. Although this session is not mandatory, we see it as a great opportunity for students and their parents to learn more information about the details of the trip and meet other students & parents who are attending. Some of the items that will be covered include tentative schedule, security, travel arrangements, hotel accommodations, passport information, and medical information. You will also have an opportunity to ask any questions that you may have.
Please let me know if you plan to attend as soon as possible.
Valerie
Invitation letter (September 1, 2007)
Dear Singers and Fellow Choral Directors:
I invite you to join us in a unique Choral Tribute to Moses Hogan, celebrating the life and music of the beloved choral conductor, composer, pianist and arranger of Afro-American spirituals in Prague, Czech Republic on July 7-14, 2008. This festival will be filled with intense rehearsals as well as educational and cultural activities culminating with a performance in the famous Smetana Hall while conducted by Dr. Anton Armstrong. Dr. Andre Thomas who will compose a new work in honor of Moses Hogan will also present. What more could we wish? In fact, there is more. Much more! When you browse the schedule of events posted on this website, you will see that we are planning many other activities such as workshops, lectures, and sightseeing. You will also meet some fine Czech choirs, learn some Czech music and see other performances while in Prague.
In a world that surrounds us with all kinds of clutter, it may be easy to overlook those opportunities that have a life-changing promise. I hope that as you read these lines, and explore our web site, you will consider joining us. We do expect a high number of applicants, so I ask that you please return your application as soon as possible to guarantee your acceptance.
We have already received more than 100 applications!!
Please note that Hartwick College, which is sponsoring this very special event, is not a touring agency. As we do not depend on any financial profit we choose only selected high quality groups and singers to join us and we keep the cost as low as possible while focusing on what we value: excellence in choral music, superb international setting, and unique cultural and educational experiences.
The enclosed schedule and FAQs should answer all your initial questions. Also, under the Gallery tab, you will find a short informational film, which summarizes our past festival. I trust you will find it exciting.
Please do not hesitate to call me if you would like a more detailed picture of this honor program.
Yours,
Dr. Jirka Kratochvíl, Festival Director
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