Press Releases

Remembrance Through Song: Lux Aeterna Concert Honors Lives Lost to COVID-19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 24, 2023) – The Choir School of Delaware presents Lux Aeterna, a concert of choral music honoring the lives lost to the COVID-19 pandemic, at Grace United Methodist Church (Wilmington, DE) on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 4:00pm. The program explores remembrance and renewal through song. 

The Choir School of Delaware is an acclaimed intergenerational choir where professional musicians, adult volunteers, and talented youth sing side-by-side. Lux Aeterna continues the Choir School’s tradition of presenting concerts that speak to the most pressing issues of our time.

Lux Aeterna by American composer Morten Lauridsen anchors the concert. Translated from Latin meaning “eternal light,” the masterwork’s five movements incorporate references to light from sacred texts. The texts honor the departed and console the living, who seek understanding and renewal. These themes continue in the other musical selections, including “Remember Me” from the Pixar film Coco and “Wanting Memories,” popularized by the a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock.

“We have been teaching the students that deep sorrow and mourning is only one phase of grief,” said Malcolm Richardson, Director of Education. “As we continue to experience loss, we move into a phase of celebration, where we honor those loved ones who came before us and have passed on. We celebrate them through living our own lives to the fullest and through the love we share with those who remain.”

“It has been an incredible gift to work with the choir on this repertoire because of the emotions that surface as we sing,” said Brittney Stanton, Deputy Director. “The students’ capacity for empathy towards each other is beautiful, and it speaks to the uniqueness and importance of their education at the Choir School.”

Lux Aeterna is the fifth and final concert of the Choir School’s Jubilee Concert Season, marking the 25th anniversary of the award-winning after-school program and the 140th anniversary of its intergenerational choir. Proceeds support the Choir School’s transformative program that emphasizes equity in music education by offering professional music training, academic support, mentoring, and social services to young people in the Greater Wilmington area regardless of income.

Tickets

Tickets are $35. Kids under 18 attend free of charge. The Choir School is pleased to offer $15 tickets to healthcare professionals, firefighters, law enforcement, and other first responders who worked on the front lines of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Purchase tickets by calling 302-543-8657 x4 or online at choirschoolofdelaware.org/events.

Event Details

Lux Aeterna: A Celebration of Life

When: Sunday, June 11, 2023 | 4:00pm

Where:  Grace United Methodist Church, 900 Washington St, Wilmington, DE

Tickets: $35 | Kids FREE

First Responders $15

Seniors & Military $25

College Students $15

Buy Tickets:  choirschoolofdelaware.org/events or 302-543-8657 x4

Press RSVP:  hgrasso@choirschoolofdelaware.org or 302-543-8657 x4

Event Sponsors

The Jubilee Concert Season is sponsored by TD Charitable Foundation and supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com

###

About the Choir School of Delaware

The Choir School of Delaware, a “Community Center that Sings,” provides life-changing after-school and summer programs for Wilmington children ages 7-17 in an intergenerational environment. Programs combine professional-level choral training and performance opportunities with homework help, mentoring, and social services, creating a safe, inspiring environment where young people realize their full potential. An intergenerational choir anchors the after-school program and performs throughout the state. 

 

Artistic Samples

“Total Praise” arr. Richard Smallwood https://youtu.be/1GSEbq8sgCo

“It’s a Grand Night for Singing” from State Fair https://youtu.be/b2HeIb72xUw

###

To download the press release, click here.

Read more

Sun Moon Stars Press Release – March 2023

Press Contact: Hannah Grasso
hgrasso@choirschoolofdelaware.org
(302) 543-8657 x4

Spanish Language Press Contact: Karelin Torres
ktorres@choirschoolofdelaware.org
(302) 543-8657 x3

CELEBRATE EARTH DAY WITH THE CHOIR SCHOOL OF DELAWARE AT  SUN, MOON, AND STARS, A CONCERT OF GLOBAL MUSIC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  (March 31, 2023) – The Choir  School of Delaware presents  Sun, Moon, and Stars, a concert of global music in celebration  of Earth Day, at Grace United Methodist Church (Wilmington, DE) on Saturday, April 29 at 4:00pm. The Choir School will perform music from countries around the world that explores our connection to Mother Earth  and our responsibility to protect the planet.

The Choir School of Delaware is an intergenerational choir where professional musicians, adult  volunteers, and talented youth sing side-by-side. This acclaimed ensemble has a long tradition of excellence, helping young people lift their voices for over 140 years. The Choir School has collaborated with internationally renowned ensembles such as The Swingles and VOCES8 and has been invited to perform around the country.

The musical selections of  Sun, Moon, and Stars come from across the globe, reflecting our shared home on Earth and our shared responsibility to protect its beauty and resources. Selections include:

  • “Estela a Lua Nova”  (The Star and the New Moon), an  energetic Brazilian folk song  arrangement by Hector Villa-Lobos, revels in the beauty of the night sky.
  • “Yemaya,”  a meditative composition by Diana V. Sáez,  adapts a chant melody from  West Africa honoring Yemaya, goddess of all living things in the faith of the Yoruba  people.
  • “Ecco mormorar l’onde”  (Here the waves murmur), an  Italian madrigal by Claudio  Monteverdi, paints a musical portrait of a stunning sunrise.
  • Rollo Dilworth’s  “Take Me to the Water,”  rooted in  the American gospel tradition,  incorporates spirituals that celebrate the cleansing, healing power of water.
  • Venezuelan composer Alberto Grau’s  “Kasar mie la gaji”  (The earth is tired) offers a  haunting, insistent reminder of the threats to this beauty and our responsibility to act.

Sun, Moon, and Stars  is the fourth concert of the Choir School’s Jubilee Concert Season, marking the 25th anniversary of its award-winning after-school program and the 140th  anniversary of its intergenerational choir. Ticket proceeds directly support the Choir School’s life-changing programs, which connect Wilmington youth to professional music training,  academic support, mentoring, and social services.

Tickets

Tickets are $35 with senior, military, and college student discounts available. Kids under 18  attend free of charge. Tickets can be purchased by calling 302-543-8657 x4 or online at choirschoolofdelaware.org.

Event Details

Sun, Moon, and Stars: A Celebration of Mother Earth

When: Saturday, April 29, 2023 | 4:00pm
Where: Grace United Methodist Church, 900 Washington  St, Wilmington, DE
Tickets:  $35 | Kids FREE | Seniors & Military $25  | College Students $15
Buy Tickets: choirschoolofdelaware.org/events  or  302-543-8657 x4
Press RSVP: hgrasso@choirschoolofdelaware.org  or  302-543-8657 x4
Event Sponsors
The Jubilee Concert Season is sponsored by TD Charitable Foundation and  supported, in part,  by a grant fro m the Delaware Division of the Artsa state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the  Arts. The Division promotes  Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.

###

 About the Choir School of Delaware

The Choir School of Delaware, a “Community Center that Sings,” provides life-changing  after-school and summer programs for Wilmington children ages 7-17. Programs combine  professional-level choral training and performance opportunities with homework help,  mentoring, and social services, creating a safe, inspiring environment where young people  realize their full potential. An intergenerational choir anchors the after-school program and  performs throughout the state.

The majority of Choir School students live at or below the poverty line. 100% of its students  graduate from high school, and all graduate with a plan to continue their education, launch a  career, or begin military service.  The Choir School  of Delaware is available to all, regardless of  income.

Artistic Samples

“Total Praise” arr. Richard Smallwood https://youtu.be/awC-cTC_24A
“It’s a Grand Night for Singing” from  State Fair https://youtu.be/b2HeIb72xUw

###

Press Release Download

Read more