Gibbons to Gospel: Elmer Iseler Singers Launch 31st season

Elmer Iseler Singers share the stage with Nathaniel Dett Chorale
Lydia Adams, Conductor
Brainerd Blyden-Taylor, Guest Conductor

Sunday, October 4, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church

For Immediate Release - Toronto, ON: September 14, 2009: Toronto’Äôs renowned vocal ensemble, the Elmer Iseler Singers begin their 31st season with an evening of eclectic music. On Sunday, October 4, 2009 at 7:00 p.m., Lydia Adams and her twenty singers share the stage with the celebrated Nathaniel Dett Chorale and their founder and conductor, Brainerd Blyden-Taylor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. ’ÄúFrom their very recent appearance at U.S. President Barack Obama’Äôs inauguration, we are thrilled to welcome Brainerd Blyden-Taylor and the renowned Nathaniel Dett Chorale’Äù, comments Dr. Lydia Adams. As tireless representatives of Afrocentric choral music, this professional ensemble truly ’Äúbuilds bridges of understanding, appreciation, and acceptance between communities of people’Ķ’Äù

The evening brings together both choirs to bring the timeless choral works of Byrd, Tallis, Gibbons, Whitacre and Tomkins, as well as the empowering music from the legacy of Nathaniel Dett and selections from the wealth of a jubilant and uplifting Gospel repertoire. This concert will honour the 35th anniversary of the Toronto Arts Council.

The Elmer Iseler Singers, conducted by Artistic Director Lydia Adams, is a twenty-voice professional chamber choir based in Toronto. Founded by the late Dr. Elmer Iseler in 1979, the Elmer Iseler Singers are one of Canada’Äôs most illustrious professional choral ensembles. Reviewers have remarked on the Elmer Iseler Singers’Äô ’Äúflawless intonation, rhythmic vitality and great sensitivity to the expressive power of phrasing.’Äù

The Nathaniel Dett Chorale is Canada’Äôs first professional choral group dedicated to Afrocentric music of all styles, including classical, spiritual, gospel, jazz, folk and blues. These 21 classically trained, outstanding vocalists have shared the stage with internationally recognized artists such as Juno Award-winning jazz pianist Joe Sealy, opera star Kathleen Battle, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Artistic Director Brainerd Blyden-Taylor was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree from York University on June 29, 2009. The Nathaniel Dett Chorale’Äôs mission is to build bridges of understanding, appreciation and acceptance between communities of people, both Afrocentric and other, through the medium of music.

GIBBONS TO GOSPEL
Sunday, October 4, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
The Elmer Iseler Singers, Lydia Adams, conductor
Special Guest Artists: The Nathaniel Dett Chorale & Brainerd Blyden-Taylor, conductor
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
78 Clifton Road at St. Clair, Toronto (West of Mt. Pleasant)
For tickets (Reg. $40/ Sen. $35/ Students $10) please call 416-217-0537
Group rates available.
http://www.elmeriselersingers.com/