Alice McAllister Tillman
Brazeal Dennard Chorale
Scott Talley writes:
DETROIT/Oct.
26, 2015—The
award-winning Brazeal Dennard Chorale, now under the artistic direction of
Alice McAllister Tillman, will present its 44th annual Holiday Concert on
Sunday, Dec. 6 at the Marygrove College Sacred Heart Chapel.
The concert will feature a diverse musical program
designed to usher in the holiday season including carols, classical works and
sacred Negro spirituals performed by the 40-plus members of the Brazeal Dennard
Chorale.
“We are working on some really challenging,
beautiful pieces that reflect the holiday season and showcase the versatility
of the Chorale,” said Tillman, who will be conducting the Chorale for the first
time in concert. “We look forward
to presenting a program that will be enjoyed by all.”
Tillman’s concert debut as the Chorale’s conductor
is the latest chapter in her lifelong musical journey. A renowned soprano and versatile artist
whose experiences have taken her to concert halls and recital stages across
North America, Tillman’s relationship with the Chorale dates back to her days
as a student at Detroit’s Northwestern High School, where Brazeal Dennard
produced award-winning choirs as director of the Fine Arts department.
“I
met Mr. Dennard when I was a young student in high school and my love of
classical music and ensemble singing has it roots in Northwestern High School,”
said Tillman, who also may sing during the Holiday Concert. “To be immersed in the mission of the
Chorale and to be working with a very established group of singers and
musicians who want to take the choral art to the highest level is really an
awesome feeling.”
General admission tickets for the 4 p.m. Holiday
Concert performance are $25. Concert tickets can be purchased in advance by
contacting the Chorale office at 313-331-0378 or online at www.BrazealDennard.com. Tickets also can be purchased the
afternoon of the concert at the entrance of the Marygrove College Sacred Heart
Chapel. Marygrove College is
located at 8425 West McNichols (off Wyoming) in northwest Detroit.
“The Chorale is extremely excited about performing
at Marygrove College because it gets us back into the community,” said Chorale
Executive Director Yvonne Turner, who also sings soprano in the group. “We want
to give the community—especially people who may not know about the Chorale—a
chance to hear us, see us and be a part of us.”
An added attraction to the Holiday
Concert will be selections performed by the Brazeal Dennard Chorale Young
People’s Chorus, featuring male and female singers ranging in age from eight to
18.
Named
after its legendary founder, the late Brazeal Dennard, the Brazeal Dennard
Chorale’s mission is to “remember, discover, preserve, and share the Negro
spiritual as a part of the artistic community, and to rediscover and perform
significant choral works by African American composers.” The Chorale, whose members represent
all walks of life, won gold and silver medals at the 2012 World Choir
Games. To learn more about
the Brazeal Dennard Chorale, please visit www.BrazealDennard.com.
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