Kantorei performs Contemporary Choral Classics February 20, 2010

Augustana Arts presents
Kantorei
CONTEMPORARY CHORAL CLASSICS
Featuring the works of Eric Whitacre
Conducted by Richard Larson
In Contemporary Choral Classics Kantorei celebrates the ethereal works of world-renowned composer Eric Whitacre at 7.30 p.m. on Saturday, February 20 at Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 East Alameda Ave., Denver. The program will include Kyrie from the Mass for double choir by Frank Martin, Trios Chansons by Henk Badings, Prayer by Rene Clausen and Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel by Moses Hogan. Tickets are $18 Adult, $10 Senior and student and are available by calling 303-388-4962 or online at www.augustanaarts.org
In a performance replete with choral gems, Kantorei will share the ethereal works of composer Eric Whitacre, arguably the most performed composer of choral music of his generation. Whitacre's music - particularly his music for choir - has inspired the creation of numerous music festivals all over the world.

As a student at Douglas High School, Eric Whitacre was expelled from the school band. Whitacre began his musical training while an undergraduate at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he studied composition with avant-garde Ukrainian composer Virko Baley and choral conducting with David Weiller. It was here that he wrote his Cloudburst, Water Night, and Three Flower Songs for mixed chorus, and his Ghost Train triptych for concert band. Whitacre received a Master's degree at the Juilliard School with composition studies under both John Corigliano and David Diamond.

Kantorei (CAN-toh-rye), or singers, was founded in 1997 as a choir capable of singing a broad range of a cappella choral music. With the addition of Richard Larson as artistic director, the group quickly found a footing in Denver’s cultural fabric. Kantorei expanded to 52 singers, many from schools with strong choral music programs, and established itself as one of the nation’s premier choral ensembles after performing as an auditioned choir for the 2003 National American Choral Directors Association Conference at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In June 2007, Richard Larson and Kantorei embarked on their first international tour to France and Italy, which culminated with the honor of singing for Mass at St. Peter's Basilica on invitation from the Vatican.
Richard Larson, Artistic Director of Kantorei, has been involved in music education for over thirty years and taught music at the University of Northern Colorado and at Metropolitan State College in Denver. Recently retired as Director of Choral Activities at Chaparral High School in Parker, Colorado, Mr. Larson began his choral career in Austin, Minnesota, where he also served as music director of the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Larson studied conducting with Otto Werner Mueller, Elizabeth Green, John Nelson, Julius Herford, Richard Westenberg and Margaret Hillis, among others. He was named "Choral Conductor of the Year," in 1989 by the Colorado ACDA, and, in 2006, was honored by Luther College as the first recipient of the Weston H. Noble award recognizing excellence in the field of choral music.
PSA/Listing Information
Augustana Arts presents Kantorei in "Contemporary Choral Classics"
Sat., Feb. 20, 7.30 p.m. Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 East Alameda Avenue, Denver
$18 Adult / $10 Senior and Student. 303-388-4962 or online at www.augustanaarts.org