Matthew Culloton sits down with choral icon Dale Warland, longtime Artistic Director of The Dale Warland Singers. Dale reflects on his life in music, his upbringing in very rural Iowa, his student days at Saint Olaf College, and lasting relationships in the music field.
Artistic Director Matthew Culloton interviews founding choir member and Music Adviser Bryan Blessing as they recall a March 2020 performance – one that turned out to be the choir’s last concert before the Coronavirus shutdown. Program recorded March 2020: Abbie Betinis: Carol of the Stranger Melissa Dunphy: Dancing in Buses (from American DREAMers) Craig Hella Johnson: The Innocence (from Considering Matthew Shepard) Jocelyn Hagen: Needle and Thread (from This is How You Love) Timothy Takach: Earth (from Helios) Craig Hella Johnson: All of Us (from Considering Matthew Shepard) Performers: The Singers – Minnesota Choral Artists; Matthew Culloton, conductor; Steve Swanson, piano; Bruce Broquist, baritone (The Innocence) ...
Melissa Dunphy's American DREAMers was commissioned by Philadelphia community choir PhilHarmonia (Mitos Andaya Hart, Director) to bring to light the stories of immigrants in the wake of anti-immigrant rhetoric during and after the 2016 election. Five texts from five young Americans who were brought to America as children were chosen—Marlene Rangel, Javier Zamora, Janine Joseph, Julia Montejo, and Claudia D. Hernández—and those texts were woven into a multi-movement work that honors their story and inspires hope, empathy, and action. (Note by Melissa Dunphy) Recorded in concert on October 20, 2019 Melissa Dunphy (b. 1980): American DREAMers Marlene Part 1 Dancing in Buses Marlene Part 2 More milk, more milk makes it better Marlene Part 3 #UndocuJoy Marlene Part 4 #UnitedWeDream For full program notes and texts, click here. ...
Timothy Takach takes a surprise turn as guest host, turning the tables on The Singers’ Artistic Director (and usual host) Matthew Culloton. The two discuss Culloton’s musical upbringing, the role of arts and this choir in today’s society, the risks of programming new music, and The Singers’ upcoming concert season. Featuring performances of music by Abbie Betinis, Morten Lauridsen, and Ysaye Barnwell. ...
