Genre

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Choral

 

The University of Maryland Chorus is a classical music ensemble that has been a prominent fixture in the world of choral music for over 90 years. Founded in 1928, the chorus has established itself as one of the premier choral groups in the United States, with a reputation for excellence in performance and a commitment to the highest standards of musicianship. The University of Maryland Chorus was founded by Alvin Brightbill, who served as the group's conductor for over 30 years. Brightbill was a respected choral conductor and music educator, and he brought his expertise and passion for choral music to the University of Maryland when he was hired as the director of the School of Music in 1927. The following year, he founded the University of Maryland Chorus as a way to showcase the talents of the school's music students and to provide a platform for the performance of choral music. Over the years, the University of Maryland Chorus has grown in size and stature, attracting talented singers from across the country and around the world. Today, the chorus is made up of approximately 150 singers, including undergraduate and graduate students, faculty members, and community members. The group is led by conductor Edward Maclary, who has been the chorus's director since 2003. The University of Maryland Chorus has a diverse repertoire that includes works from the classical, contemporary, and folk music traditions. The group has performed with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the National Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. The chorus has also collaborated with renowned conductors such as Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, and Marin Alsop. One of the highlights of the University of Maryland Chorus's performance history was its participation in the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The chorus was invited to perform at the event, which was attended by over 250,000 people and featured speeches by civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. The chorus performed a selection of spirituals and other songs that had been arranged by Alvin Brightbill, and their performance was widely praised for its beauty and power. In addition to its performances with major orchestras and conductors, the University of Maryland Chorus has also received numerous awards and accolades for its work. The group has won several prizes at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales, including the prestigious Choir of the World title in 1993. The chorus has also been recognized for its recordings, which have received critical acclaim and have been featured on radio and television programs around the world. The University of Maryland Chorus has also been a leader in the field of choral education, providing opportunities for students to learn about and perform choral music at the highest level. The chorus has hosted numerous workshops and masterclasses with leading choral conductors and composers, and has collaborated with other choral groups and music organizations to promote the study and performance of choral music. In recent years, the University of Maryland Chorus has continued to build on its legacy of excellence in performance and education. The group has premiered new works by contemporary composers, and has expanded its outreach efforts to engage with new audiences and communities.

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