Presented by the choral organization, VocalEssence, the Sir James MacMillan Festival from 31 March to 7 April in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, writes BMS member Philip Brunelle MBE.
The festival will feature:
- Sir James presenting masterclasses for graduate students at the University of Minnesota as well as selected high school students
- 7 Twin Cities church choirs each performing a MacMillan anthem and combine in singing the premiere of MacMillan’s HAEC DIES, conducted by the composer
- the Festival finale including four MacMillan works: Seven Last Words from the Cross, Os Mutorum, O Virgo Prudentissima and The Sun Dance. The finale will feature the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and Chorus, the University Singers, orchestra, and guest South African soprano, Goitsemang Lehobye, conducted by Sir James.
VocalEssence, now in its 56th year, has debuted more than 300 commissions and world premieres and numerous recordings including the award-winning Paul Bunyan (Britten) and Mass in D (Smyth).
Find out more at the Vocalessence website.
Photo credit: Scottish composer James MacMillan at Meet the Composers 2012, Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music