2011
2011 - Director, RICHARD PROBERT
Richard Probert, Music Director of the Sackets Vocal Arts Ensemble in New York is adept at both vocal and instrumental conducting. He has over 40 years of conducting experience ranging from children’s choruses to professional performing organizations.
Richard led many college choruses and church choirs; produced and served as music director of chamber opera, music theater; staged choral performances and is active as a teacher of singing. He is the recipient of the Rockefeller Foundation support for conducting study and holds music degrees, with continued study at several conservatories of music. He holds a Certificate in Higher Education from Carnegie Mellon University and has served as a tenured professor of music and as Department and Division Chair at several colleges and universities.
Richard is a published author: ‘Archie’s Way’, Lyons Press, a Readers Digest selection, contributing writer for SAIL magazine and published in numerous professional journals. An active blue water sailor, he is a Merchant Marine officer holding a 50 ton Masters License.
In addition to conducting and singing, Richard is a Professor of Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises with a specialty in Creativity and Innovation at the Whitman School of Management, Syracuse University. He lives in Sackets Harbor with his wife, Dr. Carmelita Britton, a pediatrician
Richard led many college choruses and church choirs; produced and served as music director of chamber opera, music theater; staged choral performances and is active as a teacher of singing. He is the recipient of the Rockefeller Foundation support for conducting study and holds music degrees, with continued study at several conservatories of music. He holds a Certificate in Higher Education from Carnegie Mellon University and has served as a tenured professor of music and as Department and Division Chair at several colleges and universities.
Richard is a published author: ‘Archie’s Way’, Lyons Press, a Readers Digest selection, contributing writer for SAIL magazine and published in numerous professional journals. An active blue water sailor, he is a Merchant Marine officer holding a 50 ton Masters License.
In addition to conducting and singing, Richard is a Professor of Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises with a specialty in Creativity and Innovation at the Whitman School of Management, Syracuse University. He lives in Sackets Harbor with his wife, Dr. Carmelita Britton, a pediatrician
2011 - Clinician, MARK RAMSAY
Mark Ramsay is well known on Prince Edward Island as an educator, pianist, stage director, and conductor. He was recently appointed as the newest director of the Summerside Community Choir. He began his piano studies at the age of 15 and in less than three years completed eight grades of
the RCM piano syllabus. He studied piano under the direction of Prof. Frances Gray at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). While completing his Bachelor of Music Education degree, Mark captured first place in the UPEI Performance Competition for three consecutive years and in his final year of study, was able to pursue his passion of collaborative piano studies. He was the pianist for the Stratford Community Choir for eight years and has performed at the Indian River Festival several times. Two selections were recorded for CBC Radio.
Mark was recently seconded to the PEI Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to complete work in the area of curriculum support for PEI schools. He is currently on leave from his position as Music Director at Three Oaks Senior High School, Summerside PEI, where he directed the Senior Concert Band and was the founder of the Three Oaks Vocal Ensemble. His directing credits include Evita, Into the Woods, Footloose, The Musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Songs for a New World.
the RCM piano syllabus. He studied piano under the direction of Prof. Frances Gray at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). While completing his Bachelor of Music Education degree, Mark captured first place in the UPEI Performance Competition for three consecutive years and in his final year of study, was able to pursue his passion of collaborative piano studies. He was the pianist for the Stratford Community Choir for eight years and has performed at the Indian River Festival several times. Two selections were recorded for CBC Radio.
Mark was recently seconded to the PEI Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to complete work in the area of curriculum support for PEI schools. He is currently on leave from his position as Music Director at Three Oaks Senior High School, Summerside PEI, where he directed the Senior Concert Band and was the founder of the Three Oaks Vocal Ensemble. His directing credits include Evita, Into the Woods, Footloose, The Musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Songs for a New World.
Workshop - 2011
A Workshop in Rhythm
led by Mark Ramsay
As Gershwin said, "I got rhythm." Now we‟re asking, "Do you?" As musicians and choristers, we must be multi-taskers: diction, pitch, support, shape, volume, blend, balance, rhythm, and the list goes on! This energetic and interactive workshop will take a closer look at the role rhythm plays in our ensembles. More importantly, we will examine how your ownership of the rhythm contributes to the overall effectiveness of the ensemble. We will increase your awareness and comfort of rhythm with a few tricks of the trade, using the music of this weekend as a guide.
led by Mark Ramsay
As Gershwin said, "I got rhythm." Now we‟re asking, "Do you?" As musicians and choristers, we must be multi-taskers: diction, pitch, support, shape, volume, blend, balance, rhythm, and the list goes on! This energetic and interactive workshop will take a closer look at the role rhythm plays in our ensembles. More importantly, we will examine how your ownership of the rhythm contributes to the overall effectiveness of the ensemble. We will increase your awareness and comfort of rhythm with a few tricks of the trade, using the music of this weekend as a guide.
Press Release - 2011
HIGH Cs will be Sung in the DIGBY Choral Festival May 20-22, 2011!
Choral singing is probably the most populous activity of the arts community with singers and followers. Attracting 200 singers from 26 different choirs marks the High Cs in DIGBY Choral Festival as a season-ender, must-do event for choristers in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI. In its fourth year, the organizers have developed the weekend into a unique blend of camaraderie, challenge, the pure pleasure of “singing in a castle”, and a spring outing at a spa.
The High Cs In Digby Choral Festival has become a jewel in the Atlantic choral scene.
The Festival embraces community and church choirs coming together in concert with a fun weekend for choristers. The Digby Choral Federation’s fourth High Cs in DIGBY Choral Festival is proving to be so popular that the organizers had to halt registration because of venue limitations – which they promise to deal with in 2012.
Choristers rehearse Friday, Saturday and Sunday; perform a Mass Choir Concert on Sunday evening – and party. They rehearse on Friday evening and then socialize with wine and cheese in the Grand Lounge at Digby Pines Spa and Resort. Saturday is more rehearsal along with a master class in “Rhythm in Choral Singing” led by Mark Ramsey of Prince Edward Island. Saturday evening features a Conductors Appreciation Night dinner where choirs use imaginative ways to say ‘Thanks’ to their leaders. And Sunday is more rehearsals before the main event.
This year, noted conductor Richard Probert from Sackett’s Harbor, NY will provide his experience in both choral and symphony conducting to guide the 200 singers for the Mass Choir Concert. Joining the mass choir presentation at the Sunday concert will be the Halifax’s Chebucto Singers and Dartmouth’s Grace United Church choir.
The public is invited to attend the Festival’s Mass Choir presentation at 7pm in St Bernard’s Church (St Bernard, NS. Exit 28, Highway 101). The beautiful gothic church, complete with stone-board walls, provides amazing acoustics – for 200 voices!
More information is available from Richard Treleaven, President of the Digby Choral Federation
Choral singing is probably the most populous activity of the arts community with singers and followers. Attracting 200 singers from 26 different choirs marks the High Cs in DIGBY Choral Festival as a season-ender, must-do event for choristers in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI. In its fourth year, the organizers have developed the weekend into a unique blend of camaraderie, challenge, the pure pleasure of “singing in a castle”, and a spring outing at a spa.
The High Cs In Digby Choral Festival has become a jewel in the Atlantic choral scene.
The Festival embraces community and church choirs coming together in concert with a fun weekend for choristers. The Digby Choral Federation’s fourth High Cs in DIGBY Choral Festival is proving to be so popular that the organizers had to halt registration because of venue limitations – which they promise to deal with in 2012.
Choristers rehearse Friday, Saturday and Sunday; perform a Mass Choir Concert on Sunday evening – and party. They rehearse on Friday evening and then socialize with wine and cheese in the Grand Lounge at Digby Pines Spa and Resort. Saturday is more rehearsal along with a master class in “Rhythm in Choral Singing” led by Mark Ramsey of Prince Edward Island. Saturday evening features a Conductors Appreciation Night dinner where choirs use imaginative ways to say ‘Thanks’ to their leaders. And Sunday is more rehearsals before the main event.
This year, noted conductor Richard Probert from Sackett’s Harbor, NY will provide his experience in both choral and symphony conducting to guide the 200 singers for the Mass Choir Concert. Joining the mass choir presentation at the Sunday concert will be the Halifax’s Chebucto Singers and Dartmouth’s Grace United Church choir.
The public is invited to attend the Festival’s Mass Choir presentation at 7pm in St Bernard’s Church (St Bernard, NS. Exit 28, Highway 101). The beautiful gothic church, complete with stone-board walls, provides amazing acoustics – for 200 voices!
More information is available from Richard Treleaven, President of the Digby Choral Federation
2011 Sponsors
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A.F. Theriault and Son Ltd.
Clare Dodge Comeau’s Sea Foods Ltd. Coastal Inn Digby Digby Area Recreation Commission Digby Pines Golf Resort & Spa Digby Subway Dr. Piano Grant Thornton LLP |
Click hereMunicipality of Digby
Nova Scotia Choral Federation Nova Scotia Power Corporation Sobeys Store Shaw Direct Wal-Mart Wilson’s Home Hardware to edit. |
