HINSDALE CHORALE BEGINS NEW ERA UNDER THE DIRECTION OF BRUCE HALL

The Hinsdale Chorale announced today that it has appointed Bruce Hall as the group’s new Music Director effective with the start of the 2014/2015 season. The season will kick off with the group’s annual Holiday Concert on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, at 4 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hinsdale.

Hall is currently on the voice faculty at Chicago’s Roosevelt University, after having spent 22 years as a member of the voice and conducting faculty at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music. He also served as Director of Choral Activities at Virginia Tech and Director of Opera at Auburn University, where he both directed and conducted the opera productions. As a baritone soloist, Hall has appeared internationally with such opera companies as the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Seattle Opera, Cleveland Opera, the opera companies of Cologne and Stuttgart, Germany as well as the Netherlands Opera. In addition, he has been soloist with many major orchestras in the United States and Europe. He has also appeared nationally in more than 250 PBS broadcasts of Robert Greenleaf’s opera, Under the Arbor.

As conductor of Northwestern University’s University Singers, Hall proved himself a motivator, teacher and showman. As founder and director of Voices of the Academy, he led his high school aged chamber chorus to a top finish in the Llangollen, Wales Musical Eisteddfod against larger adult chamber choirs. Hall’s voice students have won major singing competitions and can be found singing in opera houses and with orchestras worldwide.

“I am looking forward to working with the fine singers of the Hinsdale Chorale and collaborating with them in expanding the chorale’s standing in the Chicago choral community,” said Hall. “Together we will explore new music and ways to make the ensemble a leader in choral music in the region.”

Hall has been described as “one of the most versatile musicians in higher education today” bringing enthusiasm and expertise to his conducting and teaching with the experience few can claim. His rehearsals are described by many as “voice lessons for the chorus,” and he is called a “singer’s conductor.” He brings his vast knowledge of musical and vocal experience to every rehearsal and concert.

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About the Hinsdale Chorale

The mission of the Hinsdale Chorale is to enrich the musical culture of Hinsdale, Illinois and its surrounding neighborhoods by promoting the appreciation of choral singing in our community. The group is a non-profit and educational organization comprised of dedicated professional and amateur singers led by a professional director. We perform formally twice each year, at holiday time and in the spring. We also make several special community appearances throughout the year, including the Hinsdale Christmas Walk and the annual Memorial Day services at Memorial Hall. For more information, visit www.hinsdalechorale.org.

This program is partially sponsored by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.