Press Room
The Singers—Minnesota Choral Artists
Matthew Culloton, Founding Artistic Director and Conductor
Founded in 2004, The Singers organization is dedicated to giving world-class performances of the finest choral literature. The Singers exists to serve as artists, educators, and ambassadors of the choral art. Choir members are drawn from the region and come from all walks of life. Some are music educators, computer programmers, composers, bankers, woodworkers, artists, and church musicians.
In 2006, The Singers sang for the National Federation of Music Clubs and the Minnesota chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. In 2008, The Singers performed at the North Central Division Convention of the American Choral Directors Association, the American Guild of Organists National Convention, and shared the stage with the world renowned Harvard Glee Club under the direction of Jameson Marvin.
Dedicated to the work of today's composers, The Singers has premiered and commissioned nearly forty new works since its founding. The ensemble has been honored to debut works by Stephen Paulus, Eleanor Daley, Craig Carnahan, as well as from three composers-in-residence, Abbie Betinis, Jocelyn Hagen, and Joshua Shank.
The Singers believes in the value of artistic collaborating, and they have shared the stage with many of the Midwest's most beloved performers including baritone Peter Halverson, guitarist Jeffrey Van, flutist Linda Chatterton, harpists Min Kim and Judith Kogan, and the Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester. Conductors René Clausen and Kathy Romey will share the podium with Artistic Director Matthew Culloton to kick-off the choir's 5th Anniversary season in October 2008.
The Singers has produced several recordings, most recently a collection of newer choral works of Stephen Paulus. Earlier recordings include Shout the Glad Tidings and My Soul's Repose, both of which have been heard on radio stations across the country.
Matthew CullotonFounding Artistic Director and Conductor
Matthew Culloton is the Founding Artistic Director and Conductor of The Singers - Minnesota Choral Artists. He holds degrees from Concordia College, Moorhead (B.M. in Music Education) and the University of Minnesota (M.M. in Choral Conducting). He is currently completing coursework towards a D.M.A. in Conducting at the University of Minnesota. Matthew has studied conducting with René Clausen, Kathy Romey, Paul Nesheim, Matthew Mehaffey, and Bruce Houglum.
From 1999-2004, Matthew was a member of The Dale Warland Singers, having served as Music Adviser to Dale Warland, Assistant Conductor, and Bass Section Leader. As Warland's Music Adviser, the two worked closely together on artistic programming and recording projects, including the editing preparation for that organization's final four recordings. Matthew also served as the Music Librarian, managing the library of over 1000 titles.
An experienced and celebrated music educator, Matthew began his teaching career in the Long Prairie - Grey Eagle School District. From 2000-2006, he was Director of Choral Activities at Hopkins High School, overseeing a choral program of six performing ensembles. His Hopkins Concert Choir performed at the 2002 and 2004 MN ACDA Fall Conventions and the 2005 MMEA Mid-Winter Clinic. In November 2004, Matthew was presented with the MN ACDA Outstanding Young Choral Conductor of the Year Award. In the fall of 2003, he was the recipient of the VocalEssence/ACDA of Minnesota Creative Programming Award for his work at Hopkins High School.
As a composer, Matthew has been commissioned by The Singers, the Dale Warland Singers, Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester (MN), Ames Chamber Artists, Chanson, the Minnesota MMEA All-State Choir, and numerous high school, collegiate, and church choirs. He is co-editor of the Matthew and Michael Culloton Choral Series with Santa Barbara Publishing Company. His music is published by Santa Barbara Music Publishing, Hinshaw Music, Mark Foster Music (Shawnee), Kjos Music, and Graphite Publishing.
Matthew is a contributing writer to Teaching Music Performance through Literature, Vols. 2 & 3, for which he writes repertoire resource guides in a collection alongside some of America's most respected choral conductors. He has also been published in the Choral Journal, co-authoring a collection of interviews with some of today's leading conductors.
Matthew is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Saint Thomas in St. Paul, teaching a graduate music course, Choral Repertoire for Mature Adolescent Voices. He is also Director of Music at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Minnetonka. Matthew resides in Minneapolis with his wife Melissa and Charlie the Beagle.
The Singers—Minnesota Choral Artists | 528 Hennepin Ave., Suite 216 | Minneapolis, MN 55403 | 651-917-1948 |