New York City Concert by Melodia Women’s Choir Features World Premiere of Woman Composer

NEW YORK: Melodia Women’s Choir will premiere a new commissioned work, “Notes Upon the Breeze”, on November 14 at 8 pm at St.Peter’s Church in the CitiGroup Center, E. 54th St. and Lexington Ave, in New York City.

The new work, the result of a Women Composer’s Commissioning Competition held by Melodia Women’s Choir, was written by Chris Lastovicka. The music is set to poems by Kay Ryan, the current U.S. Poet Laureate. Artistic Director Cynthia Powell will conduct.

“’Notes Upon the Breeze’ is fresh and inspired, full of subtlety and wit,” said Powell. The choir is now in its sixth season, according to Jennifer Clarke, executive director and founder, and is performing its third commissioned work by a woman composer.

The concert, filled with radiant music that reflects the meditative sentiments of autumn, also features “Songs of the Lights” by Latvian-born Canadian composer Imant Raminsh. Five songs from “The Princess” by Gustav Holst will be performed by the choir, along with selections from Pergolesi’s “Stabat Mater”, which is recognized for its beauty and musical mastery.

The choir will be joined by the string performers of the Transfiguration Quintet and Taisiya Pushkar on the piano.

Melodia Women’s Choir is comprised of 35 talented women singers who are selected through an auditioning process. The choir is described as having a “rich and ringing” sound, and has performed several sold-out concerts, including at Merkin Hall.

Chris Lastovicka’s work has been performed at the Boston Early Music Festival, Merce Cunningham Studio, in Spoleto, Italy, by the New York City Opera at its VOX showcase of American Composers, and elsewhere.

The mission of Melodia Women’s Choir is to create, explore and perform rarely heard women’s choral music and to promote opportunities for women composers and musicians.

Jennifer Clarke, founder, is an arts consultant in New York who has worked with Symphony Space, Dancing in the Streets and the American Music Center. Melodia Conductor Cynthia Powell recently conducted choral scenes for Meredith Monk’s Songs of Ascension at BAM. Melodia Women’s Choir has been featured on WNBC, Women’s Voices for Change and Women’s eNews, and has been invited twice to perform at celebrations of Women’s History Month of NYC.

Funding for Melodia’s commissioning program is provided by the Sorel Charitable Organization and the Joyce Dutka Arts Foundation.

For more information see www.melodiawomenschoir.org.
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CONCERT DETAILS

Melodia Women’s Choir
“Notes Upon the Breeze”
Saturday, November 14, 2009
8 pm
Saint Peter’s Church, Citigroup Center
Lexington Avenue at East 54th Street, New York City
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
Visit www.melodiawomenschoir.org or call 212-252-4134

Contact Information

Jennifer Clarke

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Melodia Women’s Choir

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