Former Cranford H.S. Choir Director to conduct Choral Concert at Trinity Cranford March 14th 7:30 PM

Former Cranford H.S. Choir Director to conduct Choral Concert at Trinity Cranford March 14^th 7:30 PM

Dr. Gary Seighman, former Cranford High School Choir Director, will be conducting the Trinity University Choir, from San Antonio Texas, in a concert at Trinity Episcopal Church, Cranford NJ, on Wednesday evening March 14, 2012 at 7:30 PM. Admission is free and everyone is invited to attend. Trinity Church is located at 119 Forest Avenue (at the corner of Forest and North Avenues) in Cranford. The concert will feature works by Brahms, Tormis, Hindemith, Palestrina, English anthems, folk songs, and spirituals. “We are happy to be able to provide such an outstanding concert to music lovers in the Cranford area”, said James Lenney, the Trinity Episcopal Church Music Director. “It is also a pleasure to welcome Gary Seighman back to Cranford where he directed the Cranford High School Choir so successfully. We look forward hearing the results of his work with the Trinity University Choir,” continued Mr. Lenney. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit the Trinity University Choir, the Trinity, the Trinity Episcopal Church Music Program, and the Cranford High School Choral Program.

The Trinity University Choir has a rich 140 year history dating back to origins of the university. It is comprised of 40 auditioned singers of diverse backgrounds and majors from across the university. the Trinity Choir's repertoire is equally wide-ranging as it encompasses sacred and secular works from the Renaissance era to the 21^st century. The Choir enjoys a national reputation, including performances for the National Collegiate Choral Organization (NCCO), the Music Educator's National Conference (MENC), and multiple invitations for the Texas Music Educators Association Convention (TMEA). The Trinity Choir has toured almost annually since the early 1910's. It is through this great touring tradition that the ensemble has continued to serve an important role as ambassadors for Trinity University not only across the state of Texas but throughout the United States and abroad. International trips have included Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Romania, Yugoslavia, and the Israel. The latter produced an invitation to perform with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. This concert at Trinity Cranford is part of a Northeast tour that includes performances in Washington DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York City, and a private concert at the US Supreme Court. The choir will be accompanied on this tour by Dr. N. Seth Nelson, who in addition to being on the accompanying faculty of Trinity University is also the organist at the 150-year old First Baptist Church of San Antonio. Dr. Nelson, an Associate with the American Guild of Organists, maintains an active concert schedule and has performed in France, the Czech Republic, Poland, England, and throughout the United States. For more information about the Trinity University Choir, please visit http://web.trinity.edu/x17551.xml

Dr. Gary Seighman, in addition to conducting the Trinity University Choir, is Director of Choral Activities at Trinity University where he directs four choral ensembles, conducts the Choral Union, and teaches courses in conducting and secondary choral methods. Prior to his 2009 appointment, Dr. Seighman conducted the professional parish choir at Church of the Ascension and Saint Agnes in Washington, DC, and several choruses at the University of Maryland. Dr. Seighman maintains an active schedule as a clinician, lecturer, and guest conductor.  As a tenor soloist, Dr. Seighman has performed throughout the United States and in Canada. He holds degrees from Westminster Choir College, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Maryland.

From 2000 to 2004 Dr. Seighman  was the Director of Choral Activities at Cranford High School where he directed an award-winning high school choral program that performed three times by invitation at Carnegie Hall, and for a delegation at the United Nations. “Cranford is a wonderful community for music making and many of my fondest musical memories took place in that town,” said Dr. Seighman. “I have been extremely fortunate to be a part of some wonderful choral programs – first at Cranford High School and now at Trinity University. The similarities between both communities are still daunting to me. Not only do I see the same qualities of dedication and hard work from both sets of students, but they each exhibit a unique sense of idealism toward the role of the arts in our society. They are among the most kindhearted people I’ve ever met and it is as if I took those former Cranford students with me to Texas and just gave them different names. I think about these similarities often, actually. Many teachers will say that they learn more from their students than the other way around and this was definitely the case for me at Cranford. It was my first “real” directing position out of college. They took a chance hiring a 23 year-old-kid for a position like the one at CHS and for that, I will always be grateful. I learned a lot during my 4 years there. I was also fortunate to have many extremely supportive CHS parents, teachers, and administrators. The same holds true at Trinity University. It is going to be an emotional return for me. I am really looking forward to coming back to Cranford, seeing familiar faces, and sharing once again in our combined passion for choral music”, Gary continued.

Trinity Episcopal Church is a family church that has been serving the needs of Cranford area families for generations since 1872.  Sunday services are at 8 AM (Rite I) and 10 AM (Rite II w/music) and are celebrated by The Reverend Gina Walsh-Minor, Rector Trinity Episcopal Church.  Everyone is cordially invited to attend. For more information about Trinity please call 908-276-4047 or visit http://www.trinitycranford.org/.  Trinity also provides Trinity Episcopal Day School (TEDS) for area families. TEDS is a state licensed facility serving children from 2 1/2 years through Kindergarten, providing a nurturing, learning environment which promotes intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual and physical growth. Program options include Full or 1/2 days from 2-5 days a week, extended Hours: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM, and Kindergarten Wrap Around. For more information about TEDS, please cal 908-276-2881 or visit http://www.tedscranford.org 

EVENT DETAILS:

Trinity University Choir Concert

Wednesday March 14^th – 7:30 PM

At Trinity Episcopal Church

119 Forest Avenue (North & Forest Aves.), Cranford, NJ

Free Admission

All are invited to attend

For more information contact:

(908) 276-4047

Or visit http://www.trinitycranford.org