Photo By Stephen K. Mack
By Ashley Brickner, News Editor
Wrapping up our Artist Series, Susquehanna prepares to welcome the Chanticleer band to campus. The Artist Series, according to the university website, “seeks to encourage an aesthetic appreciation of diverse cultures as well as the artistic heritage of humankind.” The university hosts a variety of bands and musicians to enrich cultural and intellectual understanding of all its students.’
The Chanticleer band was founded in San Francisco in 1978 by the singer and musicologist Louis Botto. The Chanticleer band is known as “an orchestra of voices” for its seamless blend of 12 male artists. As a Grammy award-winning vocal ensemble, the cohort produces a repertoire of music including classic, gospel, jazz, and renaissance-inspired music.
According to their website, Chanticleer received Grammy awards for its recording of Sir John Tavener’s “Lamentations and Praises” and its collection of commissioned works entitled “Colors of Love.” They also received the Dale Warland/Chorus America Commissioning Award and the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming.
The band strives to “present choral music at the highest level of excellence and to encourage worldwide appreciation for the art of ensemble singing through live performances, education, recording and the creation of new choral work.” To implement their mission, Chanticleer founded “Singing in the Schools,” a formal education program in 1986. Today, the 12 singers and special guest artists continue to teach the art of choral music to students across the country. “Chanticleer’s education programs engage over 5,000 young people annually.” They even offer masterclasses, interactive concerts, and virtual workshops to further share their devotion to choral music.
The University hopes students, faculty and other guests will gather to show unwavering support for the Chanticleer band. As a band renowned for their musical virtuosity and cultural integrity, the University welcomes students and faculty for a celebration of our Artist Series’ final guest.
Their performance will take place on Tuesday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. in Weber Auditorium. Tickets are available for purchase at the Box Office.
