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Choir of St. Luke in the Fields
2017 - 2018 Season
December 16th, 2017 7:30pm - Church of St. Ignatius of Antioch
Choir of St. Luke in the Fields, 2013-2014 season
We had a fantastic concert season at St. Luke's, which culminated on April 3rd with Buxtehude's Membra Jesu Nostri, in which I was tenor soloist. I also sang the part of Jesus in Schütz' Seven Last Words. We were joined on this concert by the Sonnambula Viol Consort.
Other season highlights include choral works of G.P. da Palestrina, Alessandro Scarlatti's Messa per il santissimo Natale, and William Byrd's Great Service.
Dalton Chorale and Orchestra, December 2013
This past December I was featured with the Dalton Chorale and Orchestra as tenor soloist in these magnificent gems from Mozart's time in Salzburg along with Amy Bartram, soprano, Kate Maroney, Mezzo-soprano and Peter Stewart, Bass:
Missa Brevis in C, KV 220 "Spatzen-Messe" ("Sparrow Mass")
Litaniae Lauretanae, KV 109
Alma Dei creatoris, KV 277
Dalton Chorale and Orchestra - December, 2014
On December 10th, 2014 I was priviledged to sing the tenor solos in Gioachino Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle with the Dalton Chorale at the Church of the Holy Trinity.
The other soloists were soprano Tami Petty, mezzo-soprano Catherine Hedberg, and Bass Baritone Peter Stewart.
December 13th, 2017 8pm - Church of the Holy Trinity, NYC
Performance Schedule
Upcoming Events/Concerts
Recent Events/Concerts
We have another exciting season planned for the Choir of St. Luke in the Fields which began with Song of Songs on October 26th.
Next up is A Bach Christmas on December 7th, in which I'll take on some solo work in BWV 63 "Christen, ätzet diesen Tag" and "Magnificat in E-flat major".
We're doing the Christmas interpolations in the Magnificat. If you've never heard them live (or even if you have), please come have a listen!
Guest Soloist with Galileo's Daughters
On October 18th, 2013 I participated in a unique multi-media performance by the early music ensemble, Galileo's Daughters. The concert The Concilient Realm of Copernicus was presented at the lovely Church of Notre Dame on Manhattan's Upper West Side.
The program focused on the Polish astronomer and mathematician Nicolaus Copernicus and continued on the group's theme of celebrating the interconnectedness of science and music.
The Phoenix Quartet
This was a busy season for the quartet. Here are just a few highlights: in June we were in the studio recording our third cd Fairy Tales and Lullabies, for which we had a release party and concert on November 9th, 2013. In December, 2013, we presented our most popular annual event, our Holiday Soirée, in the home of David Orcutt and Peter Trippi.
People International, Inc., July 25th, 2014
People International is a non-profit organization which spreads a positive message through the medium of music and community service. I have been a part of the group since I was a teenager and now serve on the board of directors of this wonderful group. We held our 2014 conference in Kent, Ohio in July, which culminated in a performace on July 25th to benefit the Amelia DiGirolamo Center of Hope, an organization which seeks to fill the gap in food needs experienced by vulnerable residents of Portage County.
If you missed the show, but would like to support the center, please please contact them at 330.297.5454. They are currently working on an addition to their main building and every penny is sorely needed.
Solo Recital at The Church of St. Luke in the Fields, October 17th, 2014
I presented a program of Benjamin Britten's music including the fabulous song cycle Winter Words as well as selections from his many volumes of Folk Song Arrangements joined by the excellent Richard Pearson Thomas at the piano.
An Evening of American Song by David Sisco - Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, November 14, 2014
Making my Carnegie Hall solo debut, I participated in a recital of art songs written by my friend, colleague and very talented composer David Sisco. The concert also featured performances by singers Carl Johengen, Michael Kelly, Marie Mascari, Elizabeth Mondragon-Groff, Kurt Ollman, and Christina Rohm, and we were all supported elegantly by Shiela Kibbe at the piano.
I have just two words for this: Carreer highlight!
I'll once again be joining the Dalton Chorale as soloist in their Winter concert of Bach and Vivaldi.
We'll be performing: Bach's Missa Brevis in F major BWV 233; Sanctus in D major, BWV 238, as well as Antonio Vivaldi's Introduction RV 639 and Gloria RV 588.
Click here for details.
The Choir of St. Luke in the Fields - On March 5, 2015 the Choir of St. Luke in the Fields presented Handel’s Esther, which has long enjoyed the cachet for being the first English Oratorio. Recounting the story of Esther and Haman from the Hebrew Scriptures, the work incorporates elements of masque, pastoral and opera.
I was featured in the role of Ahasuerus, the King of Persia. Click here to see our review in the New York Times.
Sound Shore Chorale - April 25, 2015
I was the tenor soloist in a performance of Haydn's Paukenmesse with the Sound Shore Chorale in New Rochelle, NY. I was fortunate and honored to be a part of an amazing solo quartet consisting of myself, Jessica Marsten, Allison Cheeseman and Greg Lauterbach. We were led by the excellent Richard Slade.
The program was rounded out by some traditional Jewish temple music on a theme of "Shalom", which means peace.
Dalton Chorale and Orchestra - May, 2015
I was pleased to once again be performing as a soloist with the Dalton Chorale under the direction of David Shuler.
On May 13th, 2015 I sang the tenor solo on Gabriel Fauré's stunning "Tantum Ergo", Op. 55 with the chorale. On this program, which included Fauré's Cantique de Jean Racine and his exquisite Requiem, I also had the chance to sing the tenor solos in César Franck's mass in A major for the first time.
I'll be making my debut as tenor soloist with the Central City Chorus for their concert: Händel in Italy.
We'll be performing G.F. Händel’s Dixit Dominus, HWV 232, Nisi Dominus, HWV 238, as well as Concerto grosso, Op. 6, No. 6 with guest orchestra REBEL Ensemble for Baroque Music.
I'm very excited about this one. Y'all come! Details are here.
People International, Inc. - 2015 Conference, Richmond, VA
I continue to serve of the board of this amazing non-profit. Our annual conference was held in Richmond, VA this year. We had a wonderful week full of music, friendship, and workshops. The week culminated in a performance, the proceeds of which benefitted Friends of L'Arche Central VA, which is a fantastic organization. They are always looking to build their community of friends and supporters. Please check them out and get involved, if you feel so moved. There is more information about the organization (including an article about the time PII spent with them in July) on their website.
People International, Inc. - 2016 Conference, Dearborn, MI
In additional to my duties as the Vice Chair of PII's board of directors, I also took on the role of Director for this year's conference in Dearborn, MI. This was a big year of change for our beloved organization, but our membership took it all in stride and we had a fantastic week. This year, our show benefitted the Detroit Creativity Project, which is a fantastic organization working to bridge the gap in arts education in Detroit area schools. You can learn more about this important group here.
Choir of St. Luke in the Fields - 2015 - 2016 Season
It was a great season at St. Luke's last year. Some highlights include: our recording of Pierre Manchicourt, which should be released in the near future. I got to try my hand at some Haute Contre repetoire on a concert of Marc-Antoine Charpentier in December. I was also so happy to get to sing the role of the evangelist in Heinrich Schütz's Historia der Auferstehung Jesu Christi.
Solo Recital at St. Luke's, November 2015
Bernadatte Hoke and I presented a concert of german lieder featuring Schumann's dichterliebe at St. Luke's last November. For those that missed this concert, we'll be repeating it at St. Albans church THIS November as a part of their concert series. Don't miss it again!
Solo Recital at St. Alban's, November 18th, 2016
Bernadette Hoke and I reprised our concert of Schumann's Dichterliebe, Opus 48 in the lovely sanctuary of St. Alban's on the East side. Songs by Mozart, Wolf and Schubert rounded out the program.
December 4th, 2016 - Messiah
I joined Bernadette Hoke and a delightful chamber ensemble for an intimate version of Händel's Messiah with 13 singers, string quartet, organ and trumpet.
Dalton Choral - December 14th, 2016
I am always pleased to join David Shuler and his excellent Dalton Chorale as tenor soloist. This time it was for Bach's Magnificat and Haydn's delightful Mariazeller Messe. The Haydn mass was new to me and I was completely charmed by it.
The Splendor of the North German Baroque - January 26, 2016
I was thrilled to take part in this program singing a duet cantata with my colleague Christopher Preston Thompson: Erstanden ist der Heilige Christ of Nicolaus Bruhns.
Beethoven 9 Flash Mob at Grand Central
Many excellent singers from the NYC choral community took part in this fantastic event to shed light on the wonderful work of the "white helmets". There were some folks protesting us, but it was still a lot of fun and I think the commuters enjoyed it!
People International, Inc. - 2017 Conference, St. Louis, MO
We had a great week in St. Louis partnering with our charity the St. Louis Youth Sports Outreach. Big news for me this year, I was elected to be the National Coordinator of this amazing group for the next two years!
Saturday December 9th 2017, 8pm
Tuesday, April 17th, 2018 - The Church of St. Luke in the Fields
I'll be making my debut with Master/Voices as tenor soloist in the Christmas section of The Messiah.
December 9th at 8pm, Basilica of St. John in Stamford, CT.
Check out their website for more details.
On April 17th, 2018 I'll be the luckiest tenor in NYC because I'll be performing a concert of French Baroque music with two pretty amazing singers, Michele Kennedy and Peter Walker!
As if that weren't enough, we'll also be joined by superstars Dongsok Shin and Melissa Fogarty.
More details to follow as we curate the program, for now SAVE THE DATE!
November 4th, 2017 - Richmond VA
I am very proud to have taken part in an event presented by "The Gold Chicken Players" called Best Day of My Life. Gold Chicken Players is a partnership between L’Arche Metro Richmond and People International, Inc. It was a magical evening of music and dance to help L’Arche enhance life for persons with disabilities.
David Root
Singer/Arranger