Works by: Malcolm, Victoria, MacMillan, Guerrero, Hadley, Howells, Bairstow.

Westminster Cathedral Choir has occupied a unique and enviable position at the forefront of English church music since its foundation in 1903. Its Directors over the last century include a roster of names at the vanguard of English church music, most notably: Richard Terry, George Malcolm, Colin Mawby, Stephen Cleobury, David Hill, James O’Donnell, and currently, Martin Baker. The choir continues to reach new audiences through its series of acclaimed recordings on the Hyperion label. Credits include the 1998 Gramophone Award for “Best Choral Recording of the Year” and “Record of the Year” for the performance of Martin’s Messe and Pizzetti’s Requiem.

23 March 2012 – Friday – 7:30pm

Western Reserve Chorale (Cleveland Hts OH) Michael Seredick, Director Joanne Poderis, Accompanist Works: Beethoven, Mass in C

The Western Reserve Chorale, formed in 1992, is a non-profit group comprised of both amateur and professional singers. The Chorale provides free, high quality performances of choral music of diverse periods and styles, enriching the lives of both the performers and the listeners. Past appearances include collaborative concerts with the Choral Arts Society of Cleveland, the Hawken School Chamber Chorale, the Cleveland School of the Arts, the Suburban Symphony and the Heights Chamber Orchestra. The Chorale has performed at the Trinity Cathedral, Fairmount Synagogue, the Palace Theater and Cleveland Playhouse plus many local residential institutions.

20 April 2012 – Friday – 7:30 pm Stile Antico (UK) Treasures of the Renaissance Works by Clemens, Lassus, Gombert, Tallis, Byrd, Sheppard, Weelkes, Palestrina

Stile Antico is an ensemble of young British singers, now established as one of the most original and exciting new voices in its field. Prizewinners at the 2005 Early Music Network International Young Artists' Competition, the group performs regularly throughout Europe and North America. Their recordings on the Harmonia Mundi label have enjoyed great success, receiving the Diapason d'or de l'année and the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik, in addition to multiple GRAMMY nominations. The group's 3rd release: Song of Songs, won the 2009 Gramophone Award for Early Music, and reached the top of the Billboard Classical Chart. Their most recent recordings: Media Vita (2010) & Puer Natus est (2011), have garnered the same praise and accolades as preceding recordings.

10 & 11 May 2012 – Thursday & Friday – 8:00 pm

The final rounds of the fifth annual WCLV JUBILATION Elizabeth Stuart Church Choir Festival, featuring 6 finalist Church Choirs from Northeast Ohio, will be broadcast live over WCLV FM104.9. The Festival/competition open to all church choirs in Northeast Ohio offers a grand prize of $1000 to the winning choir. The goal of the competition is excellence in choral singing and diversity in styles. Repertoire includes not only western sacred classical music but also the tradition of gospel and other genres. Choirs will be judged on their expression, accuracy, technical ability, musicality and work as an ensemble.