Saturday, August 27, 2011
Westminster Presbyterian Church
2040 Washington Road
Upper Saint Clair, PA 15241
The Junior Mendelssohn Choir, an educational outreach program of the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, is an auditioned group of outstanding singers from eighth grade through high school. The singers, who represent schools from throughout the greater Pittsburgh region, audition either in the spring or at the beginning of the school year and, once accepted, spend ten weeks learning the repertoire for the performance while receiving vocal coaching from members of the Professional Core of the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh. The ten-week season culminates in a performance with professional orchestra. This is a challenging, fast-paced musical environment for motivated singers.
This year marks the 25th Anniversary season of the choir with weekend festivities planned for new members as well as alumni from the previous years. The Junior Mendelssohn Choir began when Robert Page, Grammy winner and Director Emeritus of The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, and Christine Jordanoff, Director of the Children’s Festival Chorus, decided that these young singers needed a creative bridge between the time they graduated from the CFC (usually after 7th grade) until their voices were mature enough to join the MCP. Dr. Page will be one of the conductors for this year’s offering.
The Junior Mendelssohn Choir is led by Dr. Susan Medley, Associate Conductor of the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh and Director of Choral Activities at Washington & Jefferson College. Junior Mendelssohn faculty members are Nancy Klimcheck, soprano; Katy Shackleton Williams, alto; Bryan Sable, tenor; and Bruce Klimcheck, bass. Sable also serves as Assistant Conductor of the ensemble. Accompanying the group is Westminster Presbyterian Organist, James Burns. MaryColleen Seip serves as Manager of both the Junior MCP and The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh.
Audition requirements:
Prepared solo of your choice, preferably a classical selection (art song, aria, etc.) Carefully selected works from musical theater may be performed, but these should demonstrate a classical singing technique rather than belting.
In addition, prepare your part (soprano 1, soprano 2, alto, tenor, or bass) of this excerpt from Sweelinck's "Hodie Christus natus est."
Tuition for the program is $325. Scholarship assistance is available to qualifying students.