Classical Movements, Inc. - Serenade! Washington, DC Choral Festival


	2013: June 27-July 1 2014: June 26-30 2015: June 25-29

Participants


	2012 Participants
	Imilonji KaNtu Choral Society (South Africa) - Gobingca George Mxadana (OIS), Music Director Imilonji KaNtu Choral Society group is no stranger to Classical Movements. The choir has participated in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Ihlombe! South African Choral Festivals and will now be a featured at the 2012 Serenade! Washington, DC Choral Festival. The existence of IKCS has been inextricably linked to the history of its community. From its inception, the choir took the stance to contribute towards the struggle against apartheid using song as a vehicle of opposition. This is most evident in its carefully selected repertoire that gave priority to songs of hope, unity peace and freedom. Soon the choir earned itself a favorable reputation within the political and religious communities as well as labor organizations. In 2012, the choir will be making a recording of the legendary freedom songs in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the African National Congress. Under the Music Directorship of Gobingca George Mxadana, they have toured Austria, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Reunion Islands, France, Wales, United States of America, Switzerland, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Swaziland. The choir has performed at world events including state visits and sporting events including the presidential inauguration Nelson Mandela and his successor president Thabo Mbeki. They also sang at the enthronement of Nobel Peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The singers of the Choral Society come from various backgrounds and professions, and include members in their mid 20's to early 70's. This vocal group is truly ambassadors of song to their beautiful country of South Africa.
	Young Adelaide Voices (Australia) - Christie Anderson, Conductor Young Adelaide Voice is comprised of a group of vibrant youth who have been heard in performances at many prestigious events and venues both overseas and Australia. The Choir has undertaken six international tours since 1994. They have performed throughout Europe, North America and Asia. Highlights have included recitals in Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral and St Martin-in-the-Fields in London, Hiroshima, Japan; Cologne Cathedral; the Prince of Meiningen's Castle; and the 800th Anniversary of the City of Dresden, Hong Kong. The choristers have also represented Australia in many international festivals, most notably the World Festival of Children's Choirs in China and Hong Kong and the European Youth Choral Festival in Neerpelt, Belgium. It is in Belgium where they have twice received Festival honors, 1st Prize cum laude (2008) and 1st Prize summa cum laude (1996).
	Verata E Liberi (Colombia) - Sandra Rodriguez, Conductor Verata E Liberi was founded in Bogota, Colombia as part of an Institutional Project of the College "Reuven Feuerstein" in 2001 beginning with 12 students and now expanding its program to include 55 students between the ages of 6 and 17 years old. In its 11 year existence, the chorus has quickly grown to be one of the leading children's choruses in Colombia. The chorus has participated in many national and international chorus festivals earning a number of highly-regarded distinctions. The choir has traveled to Chile, Argentina, all of the major cities in Colombia and will be making its inaugural tour to the USA in the summer of 2012. Considered "Citizens of the World", the chorus has developed different genres and styles as well as a repertoire in different languages such as German, Hebrew, English, French, Spanish, Zulu, Latin and Italian. For its excellence in singing in French, the chorus was invited twice to perform for the French/Colombo Allianze in Bogota in 2010. Verata E Liberi also participated in many UNICEF "Singing with the Children" concerst and has performed several major choral works such as Mozart's Coronation Mass and Pergolesi's Stabat Mater.
	The Minnetonka Chamber Choir (USA) - Dr. Roger S. Hoel, Conductor The Minnetonka Chamber Choir was founded in 1984 by its conductor, Dr. Roger Satrang Hoel. It is one of ten choral and orchestral and wind ensembles of the Music Association of Minnetonka. The choir is internationally recognized for its tradition of performing the finest in choral music. The choir has been invited to perform at the Minnesota Orchestra's "Sommerfest" and at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall in New York. It has participated in many international choir festivals such as the International Youth and Music Festival in Vienna, Austria; the Newfoundland Festival 500 International Choral Festival where they studied with the King's Singers; the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales; the Calgary International Music Festival; and the Melodia! Children's Music Festival in Brazil and Argentina. The Choir has recorded a CD with the Dale Warland Singers, Minnesota Chorale, National Lutheran Choir, and the St. Olaf Choir.
	Zvonky (Czech Republic) - Jarmila Novenková, Conductor The Choir Studio "Zvonecek - Praha" (Prague Little Bell) was founded in 1996 at the Prague Music School. Over the years the initial modest group of eleven children has expanded into its current form of about 220 children and youth, aged 4 - 21. Zvonky is one of the advanced ensembles from the program, whose members are the most experienced singers from the school. The repertoire of the choirs is chosen with the singer's ages in mind, while at the same time striving for maximum richness and variety of musical styles. This Czech Republic choir participates regularly in national and international competitions. In May 2002 the choir won first prize in pennant series at the 50th International Music Festival at Neerpelt, Belgium, and was honored to sing in an improvised performance to the Queen of Belgium. Their most outstanding success was four gold medals at the 35th International Festival and Choir Competition at Olomouc (2007) and absolute victory among 127 choirs from 15 countries around the world. Zvonky has even participated in a special event at the Prague State Opera, where they sang with the Harlem Gospel Choir. Additionally, they performed a special Christmas concert for Czech President and First Lady. In May 2009, they were invited to sing at the opening concert of the Charles-the-Great Prize awarding ceremony program in Germany. They have recorded seven CDs and collaborated in many other projects such as commercial spots, children's programs, and theatre performances.
	Countermeasure (Canada) Countermeasure is Toronto's hottest new vocal group, fast becoming known for their upbeat sound, sophisticated harmonies, and infectious energy. Led by award-winning composer/arranger Aaron Jensen, and featuring some of Canada's top young vocal talent, Countermeasure delivers a magical and memorable musical experience that has earned the group critical and public acclaim. From Bjork to the Beatles, from revamped Jazz standards to Contemporary Choral originals, Countermeasure celebrates a songbook that defies genre and challenges expectations. To date, the group has been widely showcased as part of high-profile jazz festivals, gala fundraisers and club concerts, as well as a recent feature on Global TV.
	Boston City Singers (USA) - Jane E. Money, Artistic Director Boston City Singers was founded by Artistic Director Jane E. Money in the Spring of 1995 to provide outstanding music training opportunities for young people, ages 4-18, in Boston neighborhoods. Almost 400 singers participate in weekly rehearsals, classes, and workshops during the school year. BCS has collaborated with many outstanding Boston-area orchestras and choirs, including Boston Pops, Zamir Chorale, Yale Alumni Chorus, Boston Classical Orchestra, Saengerfest Men's Chorus, Discovery Ensemble and Firebird Ensemble, as well as Broadway productions, dance companies and rock bands. The choir has also hosted many international groups from Belgium, Ireland, France, Finland, Australia, and South Africa. Every summer, Boston City Singers' Concert Chorus spends 1 - 4 weeks touring various parts of the United States and the world, sharing their gift of song while developing strong understandings of different cultures and communities. Tours of goodwill have taken the group to South Africa, Toronto and Newfoundland in Canada, Australia and New Zealand as well as to Vermont, Colorado, Maine, Pennsylvania and New York.
	Cantaré Children's Choir (Canada) - Catherine Glaser-Climie, Founder/Artistic Director Cantaré Children's Choir, formed in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in 1997, is dedicated to providing children with extraordinary choral music experiences. The organization achieves this through excellence in performance, outstanding music education, serving the community through song, and touring. Cantaré has established an enviable reputation for the musical sophistication its exuberant members express. Over 150 boys and girls ages 6 to 19 come together to sing in one of four ensembles, all skillfully guided by Founder/Artistic Director, Catherine Glaser-Climie. Cantaré has won awards at the local, provincial and national level, including First Prize at Canada's National Music Festival. The choir presents its own concert series and regularly performs with Calgary Opera, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and is invited to perform for prestigious events throughout the province. Touring is an integral part of Cantaré's program. Over the past fourteen seasons, travels have taken them across Canada [Toronto, Ottawa, Niagara, Vancouver and throughout Alberta] and into the United States [San Francisco and Oregon]. In addition, international tours have taken them to Ireland, Italy and Germany. In July 2010, Cantaré travelled to Ottawa to perform for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II at a private event at Rideau Hall. In July 2011, the touring ensemble travelled to St. John's, Newfoundland to participate in Festival 500, Sharing the Voices.
	Voices of Namibia (Namibia) - Rayno Burger, conductor The Voices of Namibia is a 40-voice collaboration choir, auditioned from various parts of the country. The group comprises of members auditioned during the 2009 Imba Namibia Choir Competition & Festival in Windhoek, and has competed in the 2010 World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China. In the summer of 2012, the choir will make a 20 day tour across the United States, including participation in the 2012 Serenade! Washington, DC Choral Festival, 2012 World Choir Games in Cincinnati and will visit other mid-west and east coast cities during their tour. Voices of Namibia conductor, Ernst van Biljon, has over 30 years of professional conducting experience and is hailed as pioneer conductor, international-acclaimed representative, and judge.
	2011 Participants
	Indonesian Youth Choir "Cordana" (Indonesia) - Aida Swenson, director and conductor [Listen to the choir on YouTube] Recognized as Indonesia's foremost youth choir, Cordana serves to both entertain and educate the audience on the richness of Indonesian music. Founded in 1992 by Aida Swenson, and her father Alfred Simanjuntak, the choir has continually challenged the norms by combining contemporary performance with traditional folk songs that reflect the diversity of Indonesia. The Choir has performed worldwide, including concerts in the US, Germany, Poland, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, the Netherlands. Among their many noteworthy achievements, the choir has performed at the IFCM Asia-Pacific Choral Symposium in Singapore, the American Choral Directors Association National Convention (ACDA) in Miami in 2007, the 8th World Symposium of Choral Music in Copenhagen in 2008, Incheon International Choir Festival, Korea in 2009 and the 10th Festival Musica Sacra International, Germany in 2010.
	Konevets Quartet (Russia) - Igor Dmitriev, director [Listen to the choir on YouTube] The Konevets Quartet, under the direction of Igor Dmitriev, was founded by graduates of the St. Petersburg Music Conservatory in July 1992 with the goal of sharing the rich Russian vocal tradition with its audiences. The repertoire includes Russian sacred music, ranging from hymns by twentieth century composers such as Chesnokov, Grechaninov and Stravinsky, to ancient chants. The repertoire also features Russian folk songs, and regimental songs and marches of the Tsarist armies and military academies. The quartet has toured extensively to wide success, including Russia, England, Scotland, America, Canada, France, Italy, Ireland and throughout Scandinavia. The members of the quartet have also toured in the U.S. with the St. Petersburg Chamber Choir and soloist Dmitri Hvorostovsky.
	Los Angeles Children's Chorus (USA) - Anne Tomlinson, director and conductor [Listen to the choir on YouTube] Los Angeles Children's Chorus, under Artistic Director Anne Tomlinson, is recognized throughout the country for its exceptional artistic quality and technical ability. Founded in 1986, LACC performs frequently with leading music ensembles including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Calder Quartet and Pasadena Symphony. LACC also assists Los Angeles Opera by training and providing children for its opera productions that require children's chorus or child soloists. LACC has toured Brazil, Great Britain, Italy, Australia, Germany, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland, as well as many parts of the United States and Canada. In 2008, Concert Choir performed at the China International Arts Celebration for Young People during its tour to China prior to the Beijing summer Olympics.
	Pacific Boychoir (USA) - Kevin Fox, director and conductor [Listen to the choir on YouTube] The Pacific Boychoir appears frequently with the San Francisco Symphony, having performed under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas, Kurt Masur, Robert Spano, Charles Dutoit, Herbert Blomstedt, James Conlan, David Robertson, and Vance George. The Pacific Boychoir recorded Mahler's Third Symphony with the San Francisco Symphony, awarded the Grammy for Best Classical Album in February 2004. The Pacific Boychoir also received Grammys in 2010 for the Best Classical Album, Best Choral Performance, and Best Engineered Classical for the live recording of Mahler's Symphony No. 8 with San Francisco Symphony. Some highlights of recent Pacific Boychoir performances include Bach's St. Matthew Passion with the American Bach Soloists and the Youth Orchestra of the Americas, Russian music with Dmitri Hvorostovsky and the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, the first performances of Rachmaninoff's Vespers by an American boys choir, and an unprecedented collaboration with the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra in 2009. On tour, the Pacific Boychoir has been heard across North and South America, the South Pacific, Africa, Asia and Europe.
	Cadence (Canada) [Listen to the choir on YouTube] Four men. Four microphones. No instruments. This is the formula for Canada's celebrated vocal band, Cadence. Combining the lyricism of Stan Getz, the sophisticated harmonies of the Count Basie Big Band and the devil-may-care attitude of Louis Prima, this fabulous foursome has been entertaining audiences worldwide for over a decade with their innovative jazz arrangements, genre-hopping covers and eclectic originals. With an infectious energy and a good measure of wild stage antics, this cool cat rat pack of musical misfits is guaranteed to leave you shouting out for more. "One of the finest quartets to make an appearance in the a cappella scene," Cadence continues to thrill its fans night after night by pushing a cappella music to new heights and demonstrating that the human voice has no limits. Cadence's three-time Juno-nominated albums have been met with wide critical acclaim, having received numerous awards and nominations including Best Jazz Song, Best Original Composition and Best Jazz Album (CARA AWARDS.) Their 2005 release Twenty for One was nominated for the Juno Award for Best Vocal Jazz Album alongside such established musical mainstays as Diana Krall and Paul Anka, and the most recent album, Speak Easy, hit the top ten charts in Radio Jazz France. "Like four thieves who've been stealing the show for years," (Toronto Star) Cadence has played to sold out concert halls and toured jazz festivals across the globe, sharing the stage along the way with artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Andre Phillip Gagnon and Gordon Lightfoot. Cadence's distinctive sounds have been heard on television and syndicated radio stations worldwide. Wherever they are performing, incredulous audiences are left raving about Cadence's instrumental imitations, vocal acrobatics, and charismatic stage presence. See for yourself what makes Cadence one of the world's leading vocal bands. As the boys like to say: Instruments are for surgeons!
	Wits Choir (South Africa) - Dalene Hoogenhout, conductor [Listen to the choir on YouTube] The Wits Choir is a vibrant, young, and colorful choir from one of the leading universities in South Africa. The Wits Choir is under the direction of accomplished conductor and trainer, Dalene Hoogenhout. The choir has performed by invitation at many official functions, including three performances for the former state president, Nelson Mandela. They have also hosted numerous choirs from all over the world including choirs from the United States, Estonia and many others. The Wits Choir has spread the magic of South African music and culture through tours to Namibia (1998), Kenya (2001), Argentina (2003), the Czech Republic (2006), and the Seychelles (2009). At the Fringe of the 2008 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, the Wits Choir presented a collection of shows entitled Outlines Harmonised, Outlines Redefined and Outlines Diversified, each designed to showcase a different dimension of the Choir's versatility and extraordinary talent has contributed to some of the world's most beautiful music.
	UCCSA Broadhurst Choir (Botswana) - Omphemetse Chimbombi, conductor The Broadhurst Congregational Church was officially opened in 1990 as a local church (a branch of the U.C.C.S.A Botswana), and the Church Choir established the same year under the leadership of its first conductor, the late Mr. Timothy Makgato. Under the able leadership of its conductors, Mrs. Omphemetse Chimbombi and Mr Daniel Motlhabane, the Broadhurst Church Choirwas the first church choir in UCCSA Botswana to release two musical albums; Utlwang Kodutsa Baitshepi and Hohela go Jesu in 2001 and 2003 respectively. Bolelang Mo Dichabeng is the choir's fourth music album, released in 2010. The choir has participated in international music festivals in Italy and across Africa. Aside from its regular church performances, the ensemble has developed a partnership with the Mogwana Traditional Dance Troupe. UCCSA Broadhurst Choir aims to be the trend setters in the creation and rendering of gospel - choral music.