Wednesday, June 11 through Saturday, June 14, 2008
$100/member; $175/nonmember

In addition to the wide array of sessions we've developed with our National Performing Arts Convention colleagues, Chorus America is pleased to present a lineup of exciting speakers especially for chorus leaders. From composers Jennifer Higdon and Eric Whitacre to inspiring Venezuelan choral leader María Guinand and Colorado Symphony music director Jeffrey Kahane, we will ensure that you'll leave Denver inspired and informed with ideas you can put right to work for your chorus. The Chorus America Convention Package includes:

• Daily Morning Plenary Sessions
• Morning Sings
• Exclusive Chorus America Breakout Sessions

Complete your Chorus America Convention Package by purchasing tickets to these exciting events: Boots & Rhinestones Auction & BBQ; Closing Luncheon & Awards Ceremony with Eric Whitacre; Choral Concerts.

Daily Morning Plenary Sessions

Thursday: Large-Scale Choral Collaborations - Bob Wells and Gene Scheer

Composer and librettist Gene Scheer, known for his work with contemporary art songs and operas, and stage director Bob Wells, president and founder of the World Humor Organization, will describe their collaboration with composer David Shire and the Colorado Children’s Chorale to produce A Stream of Voices, a musical commissioned by the Chorale. Their new work, performed entirely by young singers from the Colorado Children’s Chorale, will be given its world premiere Thursday evening in Boettcher Concert Hall.

Friday: Programming for Today’s Audiences - Jeffrey Kahane, Jennifer Higdon, and Duain Wolfe

Duain Wolfe, conductor of the Colorado Symphony Chorus and former chairman of Chorus America, will host a musical conversation with Colorado Symphony Orchestra music director Jeffrey Kahane (whose concert we will have heard on Wednesday evening) and award-winning composer Jennifer Higdon, a “savvy, sensitive composer with a keen ear” whose works are known for their technical skill and audience appeal. These artistic luminaries will explore new thinking on creative programming for today’s audiences.

Saturday: The Place of Choruses at the Arts Table - Ben Cameron

Ben Cameron, program director for the arts at the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, will share his thoughts on the role choruses can play in a rapidly changing arts environment. His insights come from a lifetime working in arts leadership positions—as executive director of Theatre Communications Group, a program officer at the Dayton Hudson Foundation, and director of the theater program at the NEA. A panelist for 11 years on the Metropolitan Opera’s live broadcast “Opera Quiz,” Ben Cameron is a lively and engaging speaker with plenty of provocative ideas!

Morning Sings

• Thursday: Pearl Shangkuan
• Friday: Alice Parker and Rollo Dilworth
• Saturday: Nick Page

Pearl

Professor of music at Calvin College and chorusmaster of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Shangkuan is also president of the American Choral Directors Association- Central Division and music editor of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship choral series, published by GIA.

Alice Parker and Rollo Dilworth

Composer, conductor, and teacher Alice Parker joins composer and teacher Rollo Dilworth for our Friday morning sing.

Nick Page

Mr. Page directs the Mystic Chorale of Boston and leads workshops throughout the Americas and Europe. He is the author of two books for teachers and his choral music is published by Boosey & Hawkes and World Music Press.

Exclusive Chorus America Breakout Sessions

• Crossing Choral Borders with María Guinand
• Innovative Marketing Ideas for Your Chorus
• Singing Chant
  

Crossing Choral Borders with María Guinand

Venezuelan choral leader María Guinand, renowned conductor and leader of many international choral projects, will explore cross-cultural initiatives such as her recent collaboration with composer Osvaldo Golijov. A specialist in Latin-American choral music of the 20th century, Ms. Guinand is a frequent guest conductor and lecturer in North America and Europe. She is the director of three choirs in Venezuela with which she has recorded and toured extensively.

Innovative Marketing Ideas for Your Chorus

With Darby Doll, Kristi Fisher & Denise McMahan

Need some new marketing ideas, but on a tight budget? These savvy marketing pros will deliver a host of practical strategies that budget-conscious arts organizations can implement—from targeted messaging and grassroots awareness to creative advertising and tech-smart techniques. Let the professionals refresh your marketing palette with tools borne of hands-on experience working with arts and nonprofits!

Singing Chant

With Susan Hellauer, in collaboration with Early Music America

Singing Chant is a participatory singing session for both professional and experienced amateur singers who want to know more about the nuts and bolts of western plainchant. Susan Hellauer is a singer, teacher, researcher, and founding member of the renowned vocal ensemble Anonymous 4.

Read more about this session.