For Immediate Release

CHANTICLEER WINS CHORUS AMERICA’S

EDUCATION OUTREACH AWARD

SAN FRANCISCO, May 18, 2010—Chanticleer’s General Director Christine Bullin, today announced that the internationally renowned male chorus was recently awarded Chorus America’s prestigious Education and Outreach Award. As the winner for 2010, Chanticleer will receive an engraved plaque and a cash award of $2,500.

“Every Chanticleer singer has sung in choruses since childhood and acknowledges the hugely important influence of that experience and of his choir directors along the way.” Bullin stated. “For this reason, our extensive education programs are close to the hearts of the men of Chanticleer.
We are very proud that the recent growth of the program has been acknowledged by our peers in Chorus America.”

Called “stunningly expert” by the New Yorker, Chanticleer – Musical America’s 2008 Ensemble of the Year – took its extensive nation-wide education program to new heights this season with its first National Youth Choral Festival™.  The festival, which took place over four days in March, brought together 416 student singers comprising 12 high-school choirs from across the country. The climactic event on March 29, The Singing Life, featured Chanticleer and the choirs performing onstage at Symphony Hall.

Chanticleer’s first National Youth Choral Festival™ marked the 10^th anniversary of the creation of Chanticleer’s Youth Choral Festivals™, a central component of Chanticleer’s far-ranging and multi-faced education program.   In addition to Chanticleer Youth Choral Festivals™, which the group has offered in the Bay Area, around the country, and as far away as Tokyo, Japan, the ensemble regularly gives in-school clinics and workshops, master-classes for university students nationwide, and the Chanticleer in Sonoma summer workshop for adult choral singers.  

Chanticleer’s mission and remarkable ability to inspire young singers from across America was documented last season in The Singing Life – the inspiration for the title of the gala concert at Davies – which has aired extensively on public television stations and is now available on DVD.  The ensemble began its education program (originally called “Singing in the Schools”) in 1986, and with the help of individual contributions and foundation and corporate support, the program has evolved and grown substantially.

Chorus America, based in Washington DC, is the service organization for choral music, providing news, resources and expertise. Its mission is to build a dynamic and inclusive choral community so that more people are transformed by the beauty and power of choral singing.  Chorus America’s programs bring professionals and volunteers together to learn and collaborate in a friendly, supportive environment that promotes networking, information exchange, and shared goals.  The organization was founded in 1977 by the professional choral music community in response to clear and demonstrated needs for more public awareness, financial support, and experienced organizational management.  

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