Conductor William Weinert leads the Eastman Philharmonia and Eastman-Rochester Chorus through Symphony of Psalms during the grand opening dedication concert for the new addition to the University of Rochester Eastman School of Music in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre December 10, 2010. //photo: J. Adam Fenster/University of Rochester
One of the Eastman School of Music’s most popular summer traditions is the “Eastman Summer Sings” – readings of popular choral repertoire open to the community and led by Eastman’s Director of Choral Activities, William Weinert; graduate students in choral conducting; and participants in the Eastman Summer Choral Institute. The popular four-session series returns on Tuesday evenings on July 9 and runs each Tuesday until July 30.
“This year marks the 25th anniversary of our Eastman-Rochester Chorus (ERC) Summer Sings,” shares Weinert. “These events have become a highlight of the summer season for the Rochester choral community, and we’re again delighted to present some of the greatest choral masterworks.”
The scheduled Summer Sings repertoire and conductors for July are:
July 9, 7:30 p.m. Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem
Rayvon T. J. Moore, conductor
July 16, 7:30 p.m. Vaughan Williams Toward the Unknown Region
Brahms Nänie
Caleb Hopkins, conductor
July 23, 7:30 p.m. Handel Messiah
Eastman Choral Institute conductors
July 30, 7:30 p.m. Verdi Requiem
William Weinert, conductor
All readings and performances will take place in Eastman’s Kilbourn Hall. Musical scores will be provided. Admission is free, with donations are greatly appreciated. Ample parking is available in the East End Garage.
For more information, visit: https://summer.esm.rochester.edu/highlights/eastman-summer-sings/
Auditions
Enjoy singing choral masterworks at Eastman this summer? You can also do it throughout the year! Eastman-Rochester Chorus auditions for the 2019-2020 season are being held by appointment with William Weinert. There are openings for all voice parts, and no prepared solo is required for auditions. Rehearsals are held on Tuesdays, from 7:30-9:45 p.m., beginning in September.
The Eastman-Rochester Chorus repertoire for the 2019-2020 season is:
December 6, 2019 Handel:Te Deum and Jubilate
Brahms: Nänie
Vaughan Williams: Toward the Unknown Region
March 6, 2020 Britten: War Requiem
Performance for the Eastern Division Conference of the American Choral Directors Association
May 1, 2020 Beethoven: Symphony No. 9
For more information or to make an audition appointment, call 274-1444 or email:
The Eastman-Rochester Chorus is open to all singers in the Western New York community by audition. In keeping with the motto on the façade of the Eastman Theatre–“For the Enrichment of Community Life”–there is no membership fee.
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About Eastman School of Music:
The Eastman School of Music was founded in 1921 by industrialist and philanthropist George Eastman (1854-1932), founder of Eastman Kodak Company. It was the first professional school of the University of Rochester. Mr. Eastman’s dream was that his school would provide a broad education in the liberal arts as well as superb musical training. The current dean is Jamal Rossi, appointed in 2014.
More than 900 students are enrolled in the Collegiate Division of the Eastman School of Music—about 500 undergraduates and 400 graduate students. They come from almost every state, and approximately 23 percent are from other countries. They are taught by a faculty comprised of more than 130 highly regarded performers, composers, conductors, scholars, and educators. They are Pulitzer Prize winners, Grammy winners, Guggenheim Fellows, ASCAP Award recipients, published authors, recording artists, and acclaimed musicians who have performed in the world’s greatest concert halls. Each year, Eastman’s students, faculty members, and guest artists present more than 900 concerts to the Rochester community.