Drew University Choral Music Intensive to Perform

Two pieces by a Julliard-trained composer will be featured in Drew University’s biannual Choral Music Intensive concert on Jan. 31.

The pieces are Object Lesson and Love Songs and the composer, Matthew Harris, is widely popular within the modern choral repertoire, according to Jason Bishop, director of choral and vocal studies at Drew. Harris is expected to attend the performance.

The concert, titled Music for Women’s and Men’s Choruses, will also include works by Beach, Chesnokov, M. Haydn, Schubert, Schumann and Elgar. It will take place at the Concert Hall inside the Dorothy Young Center for the Arts, starting at 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and free for students.

Choral Music Intensive combines the talents of Drew students, faculty and alumni with outside professionals. The group rehearses for the two days leading up to the performance, giving students a chance to learn from professionals. This year’s ensemble includes 17 professionals, 10 students, three faculty members and two alumni, Bishop said.

Harris has twice been awarded a composer fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and his choral works have been commissioned or premiered by leading several choruses, including the Dale Warland Singers, Phoenix Bach Choir, Los Angeles Chamber Singers, Western Wind and Cantori New York.

For more information about the concert and CMI, visit www.drew.edu/music/cmi. Tickets will be available at the door only.