The Fairfield University Glee Club joins two stellar Connecticut choirs for concert at the Quick Center | Press Releases

Three highly regarded Connecticut choirs will join voices for "Three Generations of Song," a special concert on Sunday, March 2, at 3 p.m. at Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. The choirs featured in this musical celebration are the Fairfield University Glee Club, the Fairfield County Children's Choir Chamber Singers and the Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut. A reception will follow the concert.

"Three Generations of Song" celebrates the richness and vibrancy of Connecticut's choral scene. Each choir will present an individual program, followed by a grand finale including Mozart's "Ave Verum Corpus" and two major works by Connecticut composer and Grammy Award winner Paul Halley.

The Fairfield County Children's Choir Chamber Singers will lead off the ambitious program. The children will perform contemporary selections, including David Brunner's "Yo Le Canto Todo El D’a" and "Nigra Sum" by Pablo Casals. Some gospel and jazz selections will round out their program.

The Fairfield County Children's Choir is a community-based program comprised of 225 choristers in four choirs, including the 50-member Chamber Singers. Ranging in age from 8 to 18, the group members have performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and West Point and several other U.S. and Canadian venues. The group is one of 10 similar programs in Connecticut, most of which have been founded in the last 15 years.

"The future of choral art is certainly bright in Connecticut," said Carole Ann Maxwell, conductor of the Fairfield University Glee Club.

The 100-voice Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut will take the stage next. The group will present Mendelssohn's "Heilig," selections from Brahms' "Liebeslieder Waltzes," a medley of Civil War selections and Paul Simon's "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

Founded in 1984 by Maxwell, The Mendelssohn Choir has established itself as one of the preeminent choral ensembles in New England. Comprised of community members chosen through audition, the choir's innovative repertoire includes works from all periods and encompasses many genres from opera to pop. At the Quick Center performance, the choir will feature 10 singers who are members of the Fairfield University Glee Club, illustrating the progression of choral opportunities for state residents of all ages.

Following intermission, the glee club will perform "Haec Est Dies" by Jacobus Handl, two contemporary selections and "Joyful, Joyful" from the film "Sister Act 2" arranged by Mervyn Warren. The group of 100 young adults showcases the quality of musicianship that is a hallmark of many Connecticut colleges and universities.

Conductors Maxwell and Jon Noyes, who directs the children's choir, have collaborated on numerous occasions, most recently in September 2002 with soprano Renée Fleming and the Connecticut Grand Opera and Orchestra. The uplifting grand finale, including all 250 choristers, will showcase what choirs do best - bring people together to sing.

Tickets are $20, $18 for senior citizen and $10 for students and children under 18. For tickets, call the Quick Center box office at (203) 254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396.