Drew University Chorale Plans Five-State Tour

Madison, N.J. - Drew University’s select chamber choir, Drew Chorale, is about to start a five-state tour.

The May 15-21 tour will begin in New Jersey and end in Connecticut, with the Chorale singing at churches and a preparatory school. Its music will span a broad period: from Medieval times to the 21st Century, including works by Bruckner, Aguiar, Victoria, Choi, Liszt and Debussy. In addition, the singers will visit five high schools.

Fourteen women and 11 men comprise the Chorale, including undergraduate students and a high school choral teacher. Its director is Jason Bishop, assistant professor of music and director of Choral & Vocal Studies at Drew.

All told, the group will perform eight times. Admission to the performances is free and no advanced tickets are required. Here are the tour stops:

May 15

Chatham United Methodist Church, 460 Main Street, Chatham, N.J., during

8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. services

Yorktown United Methodist Church, 2300 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, N.Y.,

7 p.m.

May 16

All Saints’ Chapel at Trinity-Pawling School, 700 Route 22, Pawling, N.Y., 7:30 p.m.

May 17

Grace Episcopal Church, 14 Boltwood Ave., Amherst, Mass., 7 p.m.

May 19

Marsh Chapel at Boston University, 735 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, Mass., 3 p.m.

United Parish of Brookline, 210 Harvard Street, Brookline, Mass., 7:30 p.m.

May 20

United Church of Christ, 295 Atlantic Ave., North Hampton, N.H., 7:30 p.m.

May 21

St. Theresa Roman Catholic Church, 5301 Main Street, Trumbull, Conn., during 4:30 p.m. Vigil Mass and at 5:30 p.m.

Beyond the concerts, Chorale members will visit high school students to talk about Drew’s music program. That mini-tour includes Trinity-Pawling School in Pawling, N.Y., The Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Mass., Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill, Mass., Noble & Greenough School in Dedham, Mass. and Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth, N.H.

“Chorale Tour is a great way to take the best and brightest of Drew on the road, as we seek to connect not only with choral music lovers, but also with alumni, prospective students and other Drew supporters along the way,” said Bishop.

With careful attention to artistic balance, the members of Chorale are chosen by audition and tackle a wide variety of styles, languages and techniques. Chorale membership is reserved for students who demonstrate music-reading ability, experience singing in advanced choral ensembles and the likelihood of thriving in a small, chamber choir environment. Students in Chorale are also members of the larger Choral Union.

In addition to performances throughout the academic year, the Chorale sings at Drew’s annual Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies in May. More information about Chorale and Drews Music Department can be found at www.drew.edu/music.