EMC Hires New Children’s Chorus Director
Elgin Master Chorale is Pleased to Announce Matthew Bishop as its New Children's Chorus Director
About Mr. Bishop
Matthew Bishop received his degree in Music Education from the VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois, where he spent time focusing on instrumental and vocal pedagogy and performance, composition/arranging, and conducting. He currently works at Dundee Middle School in West Dundee, IL, where he teaches choir, band, a music class to students with special needs, and serves as music director and choreographer for the spring musical performed at Elgin Community College. His ensembles have received topp ratings at regional contests and festivals.
In addition to teaching, Matthew has guest conducted for local community ensembles. He also serves as music director for Children’s Theater of Elgin/Fox Valley Theater Company’s productions that have included Mary Poppins, Little Shop of Horrors, Rapunzel, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
As an advocate of live music and community service, he calls together colleagues and professional musician friends to form the Bishop Super Band, a rhythm and blues band that plays school and community fundraiser events like Dundee Middle School’s ‘Schoolapalooza’ and West Dundee’s ‘Heritage Fest.’
Matthew is excited for his new role as conductor of the Elgin Master Chorale’s Children’s Chorus!"
A Fabulous 30’s and 40’s Gala
A Fabulous Time Was Had By All!
Thank you to all who joined us for our gala fundraiser on June 24th! We had a great evening together, saw some of the top-notch talent of our EMC singers, and surpassed our financial goal! Here's to a wonderful 2018-19 season -- As Rosie said, "We Can Do It!"
Missed the gala, but would still like to contribute? You can donate online here - thank you!
2017-18: Music of the Soul
Elgin Master Chorale's 2017-18 season concluded on April 15th with our performance of Durufle's Requiem. Thank you to all who attended our concerts, performed on our stage, engaged us to sing with them, and financially supported our season. Be sure to check back soon for news of our 2018-19 season!
News and Announcements
Between Worlds: Elgin Master Chorale and Durufle’s Requiem
The Elgin Master Chorale, conducted by Music Director Andrew Lewis, concluded its 71st season with a performance of the "Requiem" composed by Maurice Duruflé, on Sunday, April 15 at 3:30 p.m. in the Blizzard Theatre at Elgin Community College.
From the Elgin Review:
"Ancient sacred Gregorian chants supplied the modal palette that gives this music its ethereal quality, avoiding the usual emotional interpretations of major or minor keys. The orchestra, augmented by organist David Schrader, produced sounds and textures that defied explanation at times, adding to the experience of being between worlds.
The power of more than one hundred voices was restrained and reverent throughout most of the Mass, but the full-throated delivery of "Hosanna in excelsis" ("Hosanna in the highest") or "judicare saeculum per ignem" ("to judge the world by fire") moved one's spirit in quite a different way."
Click here to read the full review of the concert by Jeffrey R. Pierce
Chamber Music on the Fox Showcases Bruckner Works
"Take four trombones, an organ, and a choir performing works by Anton Bruckner, and you have the potential for some pretty grand music." Read the full article about our February performance with Chamber Music on the Fox here.
Bernstein Concert in Top Five Things To Do!
Our Educational Connections Concert, featuring the Music of Leonard Bernstein, was featured on Kane County Chronicle's Things To Do! Read the full article here: http://www.kcchronicle.com/lists/2018/01/27/91742c34906a474cb3e644a698bed852/index.xml?page=1
