John P. Stevens High School Chamber Choir Declared Grand Prize Winner At International Choral Competition in Princeton

FEBRUARY 20, 2017

JOHN P. STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR DECLARED GRAND PRIZE WINNER AT INTERNATIONAL CHORAL COMPETITION IN PRINCETON

The John P. Stevens High School Chamber Choir under the direction of Matthew Lee on Sunday, Feb 19 was declared the Grand Prize Winner of the Sing N Joy Princeton International Choral Festival 2017, receiving a $2000 USD prize. The Chamber Choir was also awarded a special prize for their performance of one of composer Morten Lauridsen's pieces during the competition: an autographed manuscript of the first four bars of Morten Lauridsen's piece "O Magnum Mysterium" presented by the composer himself.

More than 16 choirs from 4 countries competed in the competition hosted by Interkultur. These countries included China, Indonesia, Puerto, and USA. The choirs from USA included choirs from Pennsylvania, Missouri, New York, Kentucky, and New Jersey.

Both the A cappella choir and the Chamber Choir from John P Stevens High School in Edison, NJ participated in its first ever International Choir Competition at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ this Presidents' Day weekend.

After a day of auditions, The John P. Stevens High School A cappella choir achieved Category Winner in category S--Sacred with a rating of Gold. The John P Stevens High School Chamber Choir also finished as Category Winner in Category A1- Mixed Choirs difficulty level I with a rating of Gold.

Both choirs then advanced into the Grand Prize competition at the Princeton High School Performing Arts Center on Sunday night, in which each of the winners from the festival's five categories would sing two more songs not previously performed to determine the Grand Prize winner in front of a panel of 5 adjudicators. The judges included Joe Miller (USA), Aida Swenson (Indonesia), Gabriel Crouch (Great Britain), T. J. Harper (USA), and Composer Morten Lauridsen (USA). At the Grand Prize Competition, the A cappella Choir sang "Hark I Hear the Harps Eternal" arranged by Alice Parker and "Baba Yetu." By Christopher Tin. The Chamber Choir presented "O Magnum Mysterium" by Javier Busto and "Balleilakka," by A. R. Rahman arranged by Ethan Sperry, which is a South Indian Bollywood song.

During the second half of the closing ceremony, emotions ran high as the announcer from Interkultur shared the results. Eventually, the winner was announced as the audience erupted into enthusiastic applause.

"I am incredibly proud of the students for all of their hard work," said director Matthew Lee, "The results have exceeded our own expectations and it was such a privilege to share music with so many people from so many different parts of the world."

One highlight of the evening came immediately following the ceremony when the students from USA were interacting with the members of the choirs from Indonesia, Puerto Rico, and China. Pictures were taken and hugs were exchanged as students from John P. Stevens reveled and celebrated with their new international friends, united through their shared passion for music.

INTERKULTUR is a Germany-based organization that hosts the World Choir Games every two years in various parts of the world. This is the Interkultur's first international competition in New Jersey.

The John P. Stevens High School Choir, from Edison, NJ, is a nationally recognized choir program consisting of 5 ensembles and approximately 200 students. The choirs have consistently received Gold or Superior ratings at local, state, and national choir festivals. The JPS Acappella Ensemble will be featured at the National Association for Music Educators Eastern Division In-Service Conference in April 2017.

For further contact please contact the Director, Matthew Lee at matthew.lee@edison.k12.nj.us