Halalisa Singers Hosts Open Rehearsal Auditions for Stars of Wonder

The Halalisa Singers, a world music choral ensemble, invites singers throughout the region to open rehearsal auditions for Stars of Wonder on Monday, September 12 and Monday, September 19, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm, at Hancock United Church, 1912 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington. Artistic Director Mary Cunningham welcomes all experienced voices who love to sing excellent, eclectic and diverse choral music to learn more about becoming a newcomer in this all voice-parts chorus.

Halalisa’s winter concert series Stars of Wonder shimmers with gorgeous choral music selections including Ola Gjello's “Northern Lights”, Eric Whitacre's “Glow”, “Stars” by Erik Esenvalds, Randall Thompson's classic “Choose Something Like a Star”, Morton Lauridsen's “Sure on This Shining Night”, “Rise Up Shepherd, and Follow” by Andre Thomas, and the world premiere of “Winter Stars”, composed by Halalisa’s own accompanist Trevor Berens, and more. With many small group and solo opportunities, singers are welcome to let their voice shine!

Stars of Wonder concerts will be held on Saturday, December 3 and Sunday December 4. Rehearsals for the fall season are held on Monday evenings at Hancock United Church, Lexington.

To audition, contact Mary Cunningham at info@halalisa.org to make a reservation. New singers are asked to arrive at 7:15 to collect music and to select a seat in their voice section. Following rehearsal, new singers will stay briefly for a range check and sing from two song selections covered during rehearsal.

The Halalisa Singers are dedicated to the performance of music across all cultures and nationalities. Halalisa is a Zulu word for “celebration,” and in that spirit, the Halalisa repertoire includes African, Latin, American Spiritual, Gospel, Jewish, Folk, and Jazz music. A talented group of 36 men and women, the Halalisa Singers are inspired by the belief that music is a universal language with the power to uplift and unite us all. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mary Cunningham, this Lexington-based vocal ensemble is now in its 24th year offering unique performances in the Boston area. The Halalisa Singers have been featured performers at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Revels’ RiverSing, Winchester Multicultural Network, Lexington Symphony, Refugee Immigration Ministry’s Annual International Concert, Arlington’s Regent Theater Multicultural Concert, the Belmont International Film Festival and the ACDA’s “Urban Initiatives” Multicultural Concert.

Now in her thirteenth year as Artistic Director of the Halalisa Singers, Mary Cunningham leads the ensemble in performing an ever-widening repertoire. With their special sound and mission, the Halalisa Singers have been sought after to perform at multicultural and diversity events, benefit concerts and at international festivals in the Northeast and Europe. Cunningham earned her Masters in Music at the Cleveland Institute of Music after degree training at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. She is known in the Boston area as an active conductor, vocalist, and flute soloist. She currently serves as the Choir Director at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading, is a member of the American Choral Directors Association and the UU Musicians Network. A frequent performer with the Christmas Revels, Mary is on the faculty of the Powers Music School in Belmont, and has a private teaching studio in Lexington.

For directions, or more information about the rehearsal venue, visit www.hancockchurch.org. For more information about the ensemble, visit www.halalisa.org, or follow Halalisa Singers on Facebook.

About Halalisa Singers

Lexington-based Halalisa Singers is in its 24th year, dedicated to the performance of music across all cultures and nationalities, including African, Latin, American Spiritual, Gospel, Jewish, Folk, and Jazz music. A talented group of thirty men and women, the Halalisa Singers are inspired by the belief that music is a universal language with the power to uplift and unite us all. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mary Cunningham, The Halalisa Singers have been featured performers at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Revels’ RiverSing, Winchester Multicultural Network, Lexington Symphony, Refugee Immigration Ministry’s Annual International Concert, Arlington’s Regent Theater Multicultural Concert, the Belmont International Film Festival and the ACDA’s “Urban Initiatives” Multicultural Concert. For more information, call 781-862-6353, email info@halalisa.org, visit www.halalisa.org, or follow Halalisa Singers on Facebook.