Robert Paterson of New York City is the winner of the 2010 Cincinnati Camerata Composition Competition with his setting of Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep (text by Mary Frye). The panel chose this work, from his cycle Eternal Reflections, for its expressive choral writing, text painting and imaginatively beautiful textures.

The son of two visual artists, Robert Paterson’s music is often inspired by nature, visual art, machines and American icons. He has been described in the press as “one of the major contenders in American music.” Paterson has received performances in the United States and abroad by many outstanding ensembles, including the Louisville Orchestra, Russian Chamber Orchestra, Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire, New York New Music Ensemble, Da Capo Chamber Players, California EAR Unit, Ensemble Aleph and at the June in Buffalo Festival. His many awards include a Copland Award, the Brian Israel Prize, the Louisville Orchestra Composition Competition and twice winning the ASCAP Young Composer’s Award.

A public announcement will be made at the May 2nd Cincinnati Camerata’s “Aural Floral” concert May 2, 2010 at 3:00 pm at Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church [map]. The performance date in the 2010-2011 season may also be made at that time.

In addition, the panel announced four finalists for special mention (listed alphabetically): Robert Campbelle, of Bristol, Virginia, was selected for his melodic setting of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 (“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”). Israeli composer Gilad Cohen, of Princeton, New Jersey, received commendation for his Hebrew setting from the Song of Songs, Al Mishkavi Baleylot. The jury was impressed by the textures of The Light of Common Day, a setting from Wordsworth by Shawn Crouch of Miami, Florida. They also singled out Alan Shockley, of Lakewood, California, for his peje iesus je, an ancient Coptic Christian text.

We were extremely pleased to find such tremendous talent among the entries, which came from Europe, Asia and the Middle East in addition to the US. Our goal is to attract and encourage the very best in choral music, and the standard of work this year was the highest we have seen. We eagerly look forward to what next year will bring.

This year the jury included Chris Miller (Director of the Cincinnati Camerata), Philip Koplow, (Professor Emeritus of composition and theory at Northern Kentucky University), Beth Troendly (pianist and organist), Gonçalo Lourenço (composer and conductor from Setúbal, Portugal) and Nancy Arnest (Cincinnati choral singer).

We hope to see you in 2010-11 for the premiere of Mr. Paterson’s fine work!

Richard Arnest
Secretary and Steward, The Cincinnati Camerata Composition Competition

Sunday, May 2, 2010 3:00 p.m.
Mt. Auburn Pres Church, 103 W Howard Taft, Cincinnati, Ohio {map link}

Fragrant settings of choral sound bookended by Britten’s Five Flower Songs and Lauridsen’s Les Chansons de Rose, this concert will also include new music by local composers and “Beehive” from Mist of Tears by Jere Hutcheson, our 2008 composition contest winner, followed by a wine reception in our Social Hall.

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In 1992, founder and director Christian Miller said, “The Chris Miller Chorale (now the Cincinnati Camerata) is the culmination of one of my life dreams. Making great music with fine musicians who are good friends is one of the finest experiences in life.” The diversity of musical styles performed by the ensemble he has shaped reflects Chris’ own diverse and eclectic musical background.

Chris is equally at home performing classical music, jazz, or blues. Chris holds both degrees from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in his home state of Virginia and from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. He has studied with Elmer Thomas, John Leman, Teri Muri, Robert Shaw, and Robert Page.

In addition to directing the Cincinnati Camerata, Chris is Minister of Music at Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church. Previously, he has been Director of Music at Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church. He has also directed the Cincinnati Choral Society, the Sycamore Singers, and the Raymond Walters College Glee Club.

He is music consultant for Playhouse in the Park and teaches voice, trumpet, piano, and guitar. He also plays trumpet and sings with The Modulators, Cincinnati’s premiere eclectic dance band. You can contact Chris by emailing him here.

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Marian & Other Sacred Repertoire

A Spotless Rose – Herbert Howells
Angelus ad virginem – 14th century hymn
Advent Carols: Annunciation Carol/The Visitation to Elizabeth/Meditations of Mary – Robert Campbelle
Ave Maria – 12th century chant
Ave maris stella – 9th century chant
Ave maris stella – Javier Busto
Ave maris stella – Trond Kverno
Ave Maria – David Conte
Ave Maria – Anton Bruckner
Ave Maria – Josquin des Prez
Ave Maria – Palestrina
Ave Maria – Robert Parsons
Betelehemu – Via Olatunji
Blessed Be That Maid Mary – English traditional
Ecce! Virgo concipiet – Jan Sweelinck
Festival Te Deum – Benjamin Britten
The Holly and the Ivy – English trad.
Hymn to the Virgin – Benjamin Britten
Hymne a la vierge – Villette
Magnificat – J.S. Bach
Magnificat – Robert Campbelle
Magnificat – Claussen
Magnificat – Charles V. Stanford
Magnificat – Igor Stravinsky
Magnificat! – Peter Morabito
Nativitos – David B. Smith
Nova, Nova – 15th century carol
Nowell, Nowell, Tidings True – 15th century carol
Rejoice in the Lamb – Benjamin Britten
Salve Regina – Orlandus Lassus
Te Deum Laudamus – Robert Campbelle
Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme – J. S. Bach

French repertoire

Au joly jeu – Clement Janequin
Il est bel et bon – Pierre Passereau
French Choruses from The Lark – Leonard Bernstein
Les chansons des roses – Morten Lauridsen
Me mere m’envoit au marchet – Peter Morabito
Trois Chansons de Charles d’Orleans – Claude Debussy

Tall Stacks & Regional Repertoire

The Boatman Dance – adapt. Aaron Copland
Deep River – trad. spiritual
The Erie Canal – arr. Chris Miller
On the Lovely Ohio – trad. river song
On the Ohio – arr. John Coates Jr.
The Gift to Be Simple – Shaker tune, arr. Bob Chilcott
Soar Away/Fulfillment/Present Joys – from The Sacred Harp

Works by Friends of the Camerata

Alleluia – Andrew Duncan
Alleluia – Steve McManaman (2002 Camerata composition contest winner)
April Showers, Gentle Showers – Charles Lauterbach
Cecilia – David B. Smith
Incarnation (All Flesh is Grass) – Rick Sowash (1999 Camerata composition contest winner)
Rainy Day – arr. Dana Randall
Requiem for the Extinct – David B. Smith
Shout Joyfully to God/I Will Extol Thee/Waters of Rest – Doug Frank
The Spring – John Harrison (1998 Camerata composition contest winner)
Spirituals & Other Great Music
A Maze (with Grace) – Thomas Albert
All Ye Who Music Love – Baldassare Donato
Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit – arr. William Dawson
Four Pastorales – Cecil Effinger
Hymn to St. Cecilia – Benjamin Britten
If Music Be the Food of Love – Jean Belmont
Italian Salad – Genee
I’ve Been ‘buked – arr. Hall Johnson
Liebeslieder Walzer – Johannes Brahms
Live a-Humble – trad. Spiritual
Masterpiece – Paul Drayton
Missa Gaia – Libby Larsen
O Music, Thou Most Lovely Art – Johann Jeep
The Promise of Living (from The Tender Land) – Aaron Copland
Reincarnations – Samuel Barber
Shoot, False Love, I Care Not – Thomas Morley
Soon Ah Will Be Done – arr. William Dawson
Wedding Cantata – Daniel Pinkham

Encores

In virtute tua domine – Grzegorz Gorczycki
Walking on the Green Grass – Michael Hennigan
Beati quorum via – Charles V. Stanford
The Blue Bird – Charles V. Stanford
Cakes and Ale – Henry Purcell
Contrapunctus I (from Die Kunst der Fuge) – J. S. Bach
I Love My Love – Gustav Holst
Lebenslust – Franz Schubert
Long Time Ago – Aaron Copland
My Sweetheart’s Like Venus – Gustav Holst

2009-10 Cincinnati Camerata

Cincinnati Camerata Alumni

This incomplete list (working on it…) shows the members to whom we owe a debt of gratitude for sharing their gifts with our musical family over the years. If you know of a past member, even if they only sang with us once, please forward it!

Join us in the 2009-10 season to hear what people have been talking about, the Cincinnati Camerata:

“Cutting-edge chorus … one of Cincinnati’s most enterprising small arts groups.”
—Mary Ellyn Hutton, in the Cincinnati Post

“…bringing such wonderful music to City Hall.”
—Mayor Roxanne Qualls, at the Mayor’s 801 Plum concert

“I’m pretty excited about this group.”
—Radio personality Mark Perzell, at the Mayor’s 801 Plum concert

“That’s what Heaven sounds like!”
—Astute listener Merrie Harrington, after last years Marian concert

On an evening’s concert that has become a “winter ritual” join the Camerata in a celebration of Mary in music from the medieval to the present, featuring an “Ave” by Josquin and a Magnificat setting by Vivaldi; including new works by Portuguese composer Mario Ribeiro and Oxford, Ohio composer Robert Benson.

Please join the Camerata and others as we celebrate the music of prolific and gifted composer, Rick Sowash. A new “cantorio” to be presented by the Camerata is being composed by the “oldtimer” especially for this concert.

Fragrant settings of choral sound bookended by Britten’s Five Flower Songs and Lauridsen’s Les Chansons de Rose, this concert will also include new music by local composers and “Beehive” from Mist of Tears by Jere Hutcheson, our 2008 composition contest winner, followed by a wine reception in our Social Hall.