Arizona Musicfest Chorus auditions announced
Arizona Musicfest will hold auditions on Oct. 21, 2008, for vocalists to perform in the Arizona Musicfest Chorus, conducted by the Festival Orchestra’s Robert Moody as part of Arizona Musicfest 2009, America’s Premier Winter Music Festival
(Feb. 4 – March 1).
For returning Chorus vocalists and those who have sung previously with Robert Moody, a read-through of “Dona Nobis Pacem” will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Open auditions for vocalists who have not sung with Maestro Moody will be held from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.
“Ralph Vaughan Williams’ ‘Dona Nobis Pacem’ is a special piece for me” says Maestro Moody, “not only because it touches me deeply, but because I chose it to make my Carnegie Hall conducting debut in 1999.” The Festival Orchestra performance of this stirring work will feature two critically acclaimed soloists: Metropolitan Opera star, mezzo soprano Elizabeth Bishop; and Troy Cook, a popular and commanding baritone; along with the Arizona Musicfest Chorus.
Robert Moody created The Phoenix Symphony Chorus during his tenure as Associate and Resident Conductor of the Phoenix Symphony. In April 2006, he was appointed Artistic Director of Arizona Musicfest; the following year, he founded the Arizona Musicfest Chorus. At present, in addition to guiding Arizona Musicfest, Moody is Music Director of the Winston-Salem Symphony and the Portland Symphony.
Chorus Master Joel Rinsema, from the Grammy Award winning Phoenix Chorale, will lead the Arizona Musicfest Chorus rehearsals which will take place on weekends in January and February. The performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 26, at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, located in North Scottsdale at 25150 N. Pima Road.
The read-through and auditions are at Nelson Hall, The Church of the Beatitudes, located at 4802 N. 19th Ave., Phoenix (on the southeast corner of 7th and Glendale avenues). Auditions will be in small groups and singers are expected to be able to sight read.
Additional information, driving directions, rehearsal details and performance information is available through Arizona Musicfest at 480-488-0806.
