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Choir of Sidney Sussex College
Sunday July 29, 2012

By Edhat Subscriber

The Choir of Sidney Sussex College of the University of Cambridge, England takes center stage at the First United Methodist Church on Sunday, July 29 on their California Tour, hosted in Santa Barbara, CA by the Quire of Voyces.

Conductor Dr. David Skinner leads the Choir in a performance of Early Music. Dr. Skinner is renown for his research and performance of early music and is the co-founder of the award-winning ensemble, The Cardinall's Musick, with whom he produced more than 25 recordings during his time as co-artistic director (1989-2004). He's also served as academic advisor and music editor of a number of professional vocal ensembles including the Hilliard Ensemble, Tallis Scholars, The King's Singers, The Sixteen, and several of the collegiate choirs in Oxford and Cambridge. Santa Barabara is privileged to receive David Skinner as Quire of Voyces Director, Nathan Kreitzer happened to go to college with David Skinner and they both sang in an ensemble David Skinner started called the 'schola cantorum'. Kreitzer agrees, "David Skinner is, in my consideration, the top conductor in Britain today. His choruses and recordings are legend".

The Choir's repertoire will include Renaissance music by Taverner, Lassus, Byrd, and Victoria, and twentieth-century English music by Parry, Howells, and Vaughan Williams. Also of note is the anticipated performance of Eric Whitacre's Alleluia, written for the Choir of Sidney Sussex. The Quire of Voyces and the Choir of Sidney Sussex will join forces in singing this beautiful piece as well as a few others. Eric Whitacre is one of America's brightest young stars of contemporary concert music. His evocative compositions have earned awards from ASCAP (Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award), the Barlow International Composition Competition, the American Choral Directors Association (Raymond C. Brock Commission), and the American Composers Forum. His 2004 musical Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings was awarded the inaugural ASCAP Harold Arlen Award, and he just won a 2012 Grammy award for his album, Light & Gold. The Los Angeles Times has praised his music for its "electric, chilling harmonies; works of unearthly beauty and imagination."

"This concert will be a peak experience for those who enjoy true British choral music" says Quire of Voyces director, Nathan Kreitzer. This concert is highly recommended for those who enjoy early music, want to broaden their English Renaissance musicality beyond just the basic madrigal, or just feel the joy of music.

Who: The Choir of Sidney Sussex College of the University of Cambridge, England When: Sunday, July 29, 2012 at 3pm Where: First United Methodist Church, 305 East Anapamu St Cost: $20 General Admission / $15 Student & Senior Tickets: Available at the door or via Paypal at sidneysussex2012.viprespond.com

For more information, please contact Rochelle Yoshida at 805.204.4505 or by email at quireofvoyces@gmail.com.

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