Vocal Accord Invited to Perform in London

Montclair State University’s Vocal Accord, the John J. Cali School of Music chamber choir, has been invited to make its UK debut in January 2015 with the London premiere of Richard Alston’s Rejoice in the Lamb (Benjamin Britten).

The choir first performed this piece with Alston and his dance company, RADC, on November 1 as part of Alexander Kasser Theater’s tenth-anniversary celebrations. The performances were such an overwhelming success that Alston decided to bring this talented choir to the UK for upcoming shows at London’s prestigious Sadler’s Wells Theatre.

Alston is acknowledged as one of the world’s most musical choreographers and RADC is renowned for its nuanced performances with live musicians. So, it is fitting that the majority of the music for the opening performances of their 20th-anniversary season will be played live by a host of international talent at the famed theater on January 26 and 27, 2015. Founded in 1683, Sadler’s Wells Theatre is the world’s No. 1 venue for dance productions.

For the London premiere of Rejoice in the Lamb, the MSU Vocal Accord will include 24 singers drawn from current students and alumni. The choir will be conducted by Prof. Heather J. Buchanan, director of choral activities for the Cali School, and accompanied on the organ by Prof. Vincent Carr, who teaches Keyboard Studies at Cali.

Formed in 2010 by Prof. Buchanan, the Vocal Accord is an extracurricular, project-based chamber choir comprised of students from the Montclair State University Singers. On occasion, choral alumni also sing in the choir. The size and composition of the choir varies according to the project. Over the last decade, the MSU choirs have been acclaimed for their collaborations with celebrated world-class artists and musicians.  Being invited to perform this high-profile professional engagement at Sadler’s Wells with Britain’s preeminent dance company is a tremendous honor for the Vocal Accord, and affirms the John J. Cali School of Music’s reputation for excellence and innovation.

Learn more about the Richard Alston Dance Company here, and read the "The New York Times’" review of RADC’s recent performance at the Kasser Theater’s tenth anniversary gala here.