The University of
Delaware Chorale has been invited to sing as the choir-in-residence with
the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra for three performances of Orff’s Carmina Burana in Ashdod, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Performances will take place at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24, at the
Ashdod Performing Arts Center, on Thursday, May 25, at the Henry Crown
Symphony Hall, Jerusalem Theater, and on Sunday, May 28, at the Opera
House in Tel Aviv.
While in Jerusalem, the UD Chorale will collaborate with the YMCA
Jerusalem Youth Chorus, a community chorus that seeks to promote peace
through music and discussion with students of Arab and Jewish
backgrounds.
In Haifa, the chorale will collaborate with Peace Drums, which
introduces peacemaking and reconciliation to Jewish, Muslim and
Christian youth through the shared activity of a dynamic steel drum
band. Peace Drums and the University have had a lasting connection
fostered by UD’s own percussion professor, Harvey Price.
“We say music is a universal language, but even more than that, the
love of singing is an amazing commonality that transcends everything
that separates us as human beings,” said Paul D. Head, Unidel Professor
of Music and director of choral studies. “Passion and joy knows no
language or political orientation.”
Traditionally, graduating seniors of the UD Chorale lead the singing
of the Alma Mater at UD Commencement on Saturday, May 27. Because they
will be in Israel that day, the ensemble will lead the Alma Mater
livestreaming from Israel onto the enormous screen at Delaware Stadium
during Commencement.
About the UD Chorale
The University of Delaware Chorale, directed by Paul D. Head,
is the most select choral ensemble in the Department Of Music.
Consisting primarily of music majors, this ensemble has a very demanding
performance schedule. Admission is open to all University students by
audition.
Under Head’s direction, the UD Chorale has taken first- and
second-place honors at competitive choral festivals in Estonia, Spain
and Hungary.
For more than 60 years the University of Delaware Department Of Music
has been dedicated to the musical growth of its students and the
cultural enrichment of the community, offering a range of music majors
and minors and presenting a variety of public performances.
In addition to programs for music majors and minors, the department
offers classes and activities for the general student population.
Approximately 1,000 students enroll each year in music appreciation
courses, and more than 500 students earn academic credit by
participating in the department's music ensembles and performance
programs.
The Department of Music, in combination with the Resident Ensemble
Players, is proud to offer a large variety of public performances
throughout the year in the numerous University venues and in the region.