The Singers announces 20th Anniversary Season

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THE SINGERS ANNOUNCES 2023-2024 20th ANNIVERSARY SEASON: “A NEW HORIZON”

THE SINGERS ANNOUNCES 2023-2024 20th ANNIVERSARY SEASON: “A NEW HORIZON”

With immense gratitude, The Singers and Founding Artistic Director Matthew Culloton share exciting and visionary new works alongside audience favorites, and recognize those who have helped reach this milestone anniversary.

SAINT PAUL, MN—July 14, 2023—The Singers – Minnesota Choral Artists (“The Singers”) is eagerly preparing its 20th Anniversary Season to be a celebration of the people who have made it all possible. Recognizing choral music’s role in shaping a caring society, two free Community Sing events will be part of the season’s offerings, alongside the four-concert series and exciting collaborations with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and The Concordia Choir. Newly commissioned works from composers Aaron David Miller, John Muehleisen, and the winners of a global Call-for-Scores will showcase The Singers’ love of premiering music, with nearly 100 debut performances thus far.

“Celebrating these anniversary years gives us the important opportunity to share our deep gratitude while also considering the exciting musical horizon that lies ahead,” says Matthew Culloton, artistic director and founder of The Singers. “We’ve found ways to honor our artists, past and present, as well as our audience and support community throughout the season. These relationships mean everything to us.”

The Singers’ 20th Anniversary Season, A New Horizon, will include the following subscription events:

The Singers’ Choice Concert: An Anniversary Celebration

Sunday, October 15, 2023 – 3:00 PM, House of Hope, St. Paul

The Singers launches its 20th Anniversary Season by honoring the artists in the choir and turning over the programming to them! Asked to select their favorite works, members have pored over the first two decade’s worth of concerts and have chosen moments from Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil (Vespers), Joby Talbot’s Path of Miracles, and American folk settings composed for The Singers by Abbie Betinis, Jocelyn Hagen, and Matthew Culloton. Other musical surprises will certainly be a part of this engaging kick-off concert!

What Sweeter Music: Christmas with The Singers

Sunday, December 3, 2023 – 3:00 PM, Westwood Lutheran, St. Louis Park

Saturday, December 9, 2023 – 7:30 PM, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Minneapolis

Sunday, December 10, 2023 – 2:00 PM, Nativity of Our Lord, St. Paul

In honor of our loyal audience, we turned programming over to you – over 350 ballots were submitted! The top eight carols selected will open and close the concert, paired with other Christmas work by B.E. Boykin, Stephen Paulus, and Rosephanye Powell. Harpist Min Kim joins The Singers as together we embrace a festive holiday season.

My Soul’s Repose

Saturday, March 23, 2024 – 7:30 PM, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Minneapolis

Sunday, March 24, 2024 – 3:00 PM, House of Hope, St. Paul

Herbert Howells composed his tender, moving Requiem in memory of his young son, Michael, drawing from the Psalms and other liturgical texts. Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw also drew inspiration from the Psalms for her and the swallow, showcasing her outstanding choral imagination. A world premiere work commissioned for The Singers’ anniversary season composed by John Muehleisen will feature a new text by our dear friend Brian Newhouse. We promise this concert will be the perfect balm and mid-winter respite! 

Windows and Mirrors: 20th Anniversary Finale

Sunday, May 5, 2024 – 3:00 PM, St. Andrew’s Lutheran, Mahtomedi

Windows allow us to gaze toward new horizons, most evident by a world premiere commission from Aaron David Miller – one of our favorite collaborators! Mirrors allow us to look inward and thank those who have made 20 years possible –  and we honor them with The Singers Alumni Choir, performing a set of music by some of our dearest composer friends. Other celebratory works and surprises bring to close our remarkable 20th anniversary season – don’t miss a beat!

The Singers’ season also includes these non-subscription events:

Community Sing 1: Craig Hella Johnson’s Considering Matthew Shepard

Sunday, October 29, 2023 – 2:00 PM, House of Hope, St. Paul

We mark the somber 25th anniversary of Matthew Shepard’s murder by sharing an afternoon of singing excerpts from this landmark work. We sing to remember all those who have lost their lives, faced threats or harassment, and those who need our lifting up as the LGBTQ community and its allies fight for equality and fairness today more than ever. FREE EVENT!

Handel’s Messiah with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra

December 14-17, 2023, Basilica of St. Mary and the Ordway Performance Center

The Singers partner again with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra on Handel’s beloved masterpiece at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis and the Ordway Performance Hall in Saint Paul. This year’s performance is led by Dmitiry Sinkovsky. Tickets at www.thespco.org. 

Community Sing 2: The Justice Choir Songbook

Sunday, January 28, 2024 – 2:00 PM, House of Hope, St. Paul

The Justice Choir organization builds awareness of social, environmental, and racial justice and elevates these topics through singing. On the eve of Black History Month, join The Singers for a 60-minute sharing of the Justice Choir Songbook, including stirring songs by Melanie DeMore, Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, Abbie Betinis, and others. FREE EVENT!

The Singers & The Concordia Choir

Sunday, February 25, 2024, Venue TBA

Twin brothers and conductors Matthew and Michael Culloton bring their two choirs together for a concert that celebrates mentors, great choral works, and the meaningfulness of singing communities. Tickets available at the door and through The Concordia Choir.

Throughout the season, The Singers will also host their Anniversary Gala, as well as other celebratory events. Guests may also visit Monday night rehearsals anytime by e-mailing info@singersmca.org to inquire about location and schedule.

Season tickets go on sale July 17th, 2023. Single tickets go on September 5, 2023. For information about the season, concert details, and more, visit singersmca.org.

About The Singers

The Singers – Minnesota Choral Artists and Artistic Director Matthew Culloton have shared their inspiring artistry and community impacts through remarkable performances for twenty years. Audiences have come to recognize their peerless singing, vocal flexibility between musical styles, their commitment to ensemble singing, and their willingness to sing music that speaks to a changing world.

The Singers, founded in 2004, are a 40-voice professional choral ensemble based in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Singers deliver compelling and thought-provoking performances and educational opportunities that can bridge cultural differences and invite appreciation of the choral art. The core values that guide the organization  as it brings this mission to life are Respect & Openness, Courage, Collaboration, Excellence, and Passion.

The Singers are Artists-in-Residence at The House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul.

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