The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra continues to celebrate its 90th Anniversary Season (2012-2013) with a variety of special events and diversified concerts. On Saturday, May 4th, 2013 the RPO will present a concert at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre sponsored by the City of Rochester that will feature a Community Chorus drawn from the ranks of local community choruses, church choirs and student vocal ensembles. Interested community vocalists are encouraged to apply directly to the RPO through the following online link:

http://tinyurl.com/bbolnwd

We anticipate having room for close to 200 chorus members. The program though not finalized will include a combination of classical favorites such as Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, Beethoven’s Ode to Joy and patriotic and popular standards such as Battle Hymn of the Republic, America the Beautiful and music by John Williams.

Rehearsal with the orchestra will occur on May 4th from 3:00-5:30 PM with concert to follow at 8:00 PM. There will be some limited chorus only rehearsals to be scheduled. Concert tickets will be available to the community for a recommended donation of $5 each. Chorus members will be accepted based on filling out vocal sections as needed, ability to read music, and personal choral experience. Recommendations from choral directors will also be considered.

If you have further questions you can contact Richard Decker (Artistic Administrator) at the RPO.

Richard Decker
Vice President of Artistic Administration
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
108 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604
Tel: 585-454-7311 ext. 246
Direct: 585-399-3646
Fax: 585-423-2256
E-mail: rdecker@rpo.org or rdeckorch@aol.com
www.rpo.org

VOICES OF LIGHT

Brandon Johnson, Founder & Artistic Director

Engagement…. Connection…. Reconciliation…

Who we are . . .  As an emerging professional vocal ensemble and the newest member of the arts community in western New York, Vox Lumine marked its first full season in 2011-2012.  With the intention of concertizing in four cities with active musical cultures: Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Toronto, Vox Lumine draws on professional musicians throughout the region.

We Believe . . .  First, that extraordinary music can be a unifying force to bring diverse people together.  Music can be an incredible agent for peace and reconciliation.  We will be a positive force in our musical communities by actively seeking these ends.

Second, we help young professionals develop after their academic studies are complete.   Our goal is to bridge the gap between graduate studies and the fully professional singer, composer, and conductor.

Third, we seek to increase the genre of choral art music.  Through commissions and choral composition competitions we commit ourselves to the creation of new choral music.

Mission Statement. . .  The Voices of Light engage audiences in transformative musical experiences through world-class choral performances and recordings.  With thankful hearts, we commit to the development of tomorrow’s musicians and the commissioning of new vocal music.

Vision Statement. . .  Vox Lumine envisions a world less focused on division, disconnect and discord and more focused on engagement, connection & reconciliation.

Contact Us:

7759 Centerville Road
Fillmore NY 14735
United States
(585) 567-2346

www.voxlumine.org

Brandon Johnson, Conductor & Artistic Director

Brandon Johnson is a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota and has received graduate instruction from the Eastman School of Music, Westminster Choir College, and the University of Arizona, where he received Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Choral Conducting. Johnson has studied with many of the preeminent choral artists of this generation including: Bruce Chamberlain, Rene Clausen, Daniel Moe, and Maurice Skones. He served as interim director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and
was selected to conduct the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra as a member of the Eastman conducting institute. Most recently Johnson studied with German conductor Helmuth Rilling and was selected to conduct the Grammy winning Oregon Bach Festival Chorus and Orchestra.

In addition, Johnson is the Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor of Conducting and Voice at the Greatbatch School of Music, Houghton College. He heads the Houghton College choral program, and administers the masters of music degree in choral conducting. In 2009 Johnson was the recipient of the Houghton College Award for Teaching Excellence.

Email: brandon.johnson@houghton.edu

AUDITIONS

Each singer will be asked to demonstrate ability in three areas.

1. Solo performance- Singers will perform one art song or aria of choice, no longer than three minutes in length.  Smaller sections of longer works are welcome.  Memorization of your selection is not required although it is encouraged as our ensemble will be asked to memorize its concert repertoire. An accompanist will be provided (please bring a second copy of your music for the pianist).

2. Sight-reading- Our audition team will evaluate your ability to read musical intervals and rhythmic patterns.  These passages will be tonal in nature and singers will be evaluated on the beauty and accuracy of each passage.

3. Vocal Flexibility- Singers will be asked to prepare And He Shall Purify from Messiah.  The auditioning musician will be asked to sing the first entrance of their choral voice part @ the tempo marking quarter note = 104

Formal auditions will be held again September 2013 but well qualified applicants are welcomed at all times.

Please contact Brandon Johnson to set an audition time.