Saturday, Jul 4, 2015
Joseph Flummerfelt and Joe Miller share the podium to perform choral masterworks
Two of America’s most highly regarded choral conductors, Joseph Flummerfelt and Joe Miller, will share the podium when the Westminster Summer Choral Festival Chorus and Orchestra perform on Friday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m. in Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall on the campus of Princeton University.
The program will feature "Hallelujah" from Beethoven's Christus am Ölberge, Op. 85; Brahms' Schicksalslied, Op. 54; J.S. and "Dona Nobis Pacem" from Bach's Mass in B Minor, BWV 232, conducted by Flummerfelt, and Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass, conducted by Miller.
Musical America’s 2004 Conductor of the Year, Joseph Flummerfelt is renowned for his artistry, which has been heard in many of the world’s concert halls for over 40 years. He is founder and musical director of the New York Choral Artists. For 33 years he was director of choral activities and conductor of the Westminster Choir at Westminster Choir College until he retired in 2004.
As an orchestral conductor, Flummerfelt made his debut with the New York Philharmonic, conducting Haydn’s Creation in 1988. In 2001, he conducted the world premiere of Stephen Paulus’ Voices of Light with the Philharmonic and the Westminster Choir. He has also appeared as guest conductor with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the Juilliard Symphony Orchestra, and the San Antonio and Phoenix Symphonies. He has also conducted more than 60 choral/orchestral performances with the Spoleto Festival Orchestra in the United States and Italy.
Joe Miller succeeded Dr. Flummerfelt as director of choral activities and conductor of the Westminster Choir at Westminster, as well as director of choral activities for the Spoleto Festival U.S.A. His 2014 Spoleto debut performance, a staged production of John Adams’ El Niño with the Spoleto Festival Orchestra, the Westminster Choir and an international cast, earned critical acclaim. The Financial Times praised, “the driving minimalistic iterations of Adams’ score securely projected under Joe Miller’s direction
This concert is the culmination of the annual Westminster Summer Choral Festival, which offers choral singers the opportunity to live, sing, study and perform in a professional-level choral ensemble each summer on the Westminster campus. The program has two components: the Chamber Choir, an auditioned ensemble, and the Choral Festival Chorus, which is composed of choral singers from all walks of life.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. They may be purchased at the door, through the Princeton University box office at 609-258-9220, or online at www.princeton.edu/utickets.