Thursday, February 18, 2010

Universal Sacred Music festival artists announced

The Society for Universal Sacred Music (http://www.universalsacredmusic.org), a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster the creation and performance of music that celebrates God's unconditional love for us all, announces the selection of thirteen international artists whose works will premiere atthe Society's 4th Festival of Universal Sacred Music, April 24-25, 2010 in New York City. The compositions were selected from an international competition that featured submissions from more than 260 composers of many nationalities, including the United States, Sweden, France, Italy, New Zealand, Turkey, the Ukraine, Switzerland, Greece, Hong Kong, and the Czech Republic.

According to the Society's Artistic Director, Harold Rosenbaum, "Music is a great transmitter of spiritual energy, and the caliber of pieces selected for this year's competition not only reflects the mission of the Society, but also the commitment of choral composers throughout the world to combine uplifting and profound texts to glorious music."

The two choral concerts in the Festival will feature more than a dozen choral works that give credence to the many different styles, both tonal and atonal, that composers all over the world are immersed in today as well as in recent times. The concerts will feature mixed choir, women's choir, children's choir, a capella music, and works with up to 10 instruments.

Director Rosenbaum notes, "There is something here for everyone to enjoy!"

A new addition to this year's Festival includes a concert for all ages on Sunday, April 25 at 3 pm, featuring jazz, gospel, Brazilian and Calypso music by Frank London, Luiz Simas and Roger Davidson, and artistic director Pablo Aslan, with Catherine Russell as lead vocalist.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Amnesty International USA.

The 2010 Composition Contest Winners Include:
Miguel Chuaqui, USA (Salmo 139)
Gerald Cohen, USA (The Ocean of Peace Lies Ahead of Me)
Malcolm Dalglish, USA (Throw the Window Open/Lay Me Low/Dappled Things)
Ulrika Emanuelsson, Sweden (Manniska - Human Being)
Mark Kilstofte, USA (Peace)
Massimo Lauricella, Italy (Lux Aeterna)
Kurt Leland, USA (Three Poems from das Stundenbuch)
Joshua Shank, USA (Musica Animam Tangens)
Suleyman Tarman, Turkey (DUA - Pray for Peace)
Dale Trumbore, USA (Est Autem Fides Credere)
Anne-Marie Turcotte, Italy (Jubilate Deo)
Michael Wiener, Switzerland (Major autem ex his est caritas)

The 4th Festival of Universal Sacred Music will take place the evening of Saturday, April 24, 2010, and Sunday afternoon and evening, April 25, 2010, at Merkin Concert Hall in New York City. For further information, visit http://www.universalsacredmusic.org. To order tickets, visit http://www.merkinconcerthall.org or call 212-501-3330.

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